The book explores Australia's prehistory, with the aim to set the story straight. And when it comes to the origins of Australian Aborigines, the ancient Australian landscapes and the fate of megafuna, it's a mess of information.

To 'read bones', scientists had to learn how to date them - along with all the other artifacts. Scattered throughout the text are descriptions of various dating techniques, and how scientists discovered flaws in many of them.

It is not just a presentation of facts, but instead weaves a complex picture. Set against a changing background of evidence, there are claims, counterclaims, misinterpretations, distortions and even character assassination.