The Pleistocene era (starting about 2. 5 million years ago) made the earth what it is today, saw the origins of most of the big animals that now walk on it - including ourselves. It was the heyday of the mammals. By looking at history over millions of years, Tudge is able to show how deep and powerful forces like ice, flood and fire shaped our environment, and how humanity was shaped and conditioned by that environment. If we are to survive another million years we must UNLEARN most of what made us so good at dominating the Pleistocene world. A novel perspective on human history, THE DAY BEFORE YESTERDAY is also a wonderful account of some of the most beautiful animals the world has ever seen.