The Neanderthal Parallax

Neanderthal Man existed before us but most scientists believe that our two species (or sub-species) co-existed for a few thousands years. Eventually, Neanderthal Man became extinct, one theory being that we destroyed them entirely, another being that we interbred. In any case, we became the dominate lifeform. What would our world be like if Neanderthal Man had dominated instead?

Robert Sawyer, a Canadian science fiction writer, looks at the concept of a Neanderthal-dominated Earth in his trilogy, The Neanderthal Parallax. In the book, a gateway opens between two parallel Earths and members of both races experience the others way of life in startling ways. I'm on the second book now and it's fascinating. Sawyer is a fantastic writer, the only one I've seen since Carl Sagan to write books that entertain and educate. Bravo!