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The work is shaped around a central metaphor: finite simple groups ``evolve'', in the author's metaphor, through increasingly sophisticated structural, geometric and algebraic frameworks -- culminating in the ``Crown Jewel'' of symmetry, the Monster group.\\N\\NThe book opens with a long historical and conceptual introduction that traces the origins of group theory from Ruffini and Galois to the classification of finite simple groups, highlighting key developments such as Chevalley groups, the Feit-Thompson theorem, the theory of buildings and the role of Buekenhout and Tits geometries. Particularly notable is the citation of \\textit{Seki Takakazu}, a Japanese mathematician from the 17th century, as an early contributor to non-commutative thinking (see [\\textit{S. Wimmer-Zagier} and \\textit{D. Zagier}, Springer Proc. Math. Stat. 39, 275--297 (2013; Zbl 1297.01019)]), a culturally and historically sensitive observation that enriches the narrative.\\N\\NThe reviewer particularly appreciated the decision to keep the complete list of references at the end of the volume, while also including footnotes at each citation that identify the cited work in full. This hybrid system greatly facilitates the reading experience: the narrative flow remains uninterrupted, but the reader can still quickly retrieve bibliographic information without constantly turning to the final pages.\\N\\NThe structure of the book is as follows:\\N\\NIntroduction: historical context, from algebraic equations to sporadic groups and group geometries.\\N\\NChapter 1, Basic group theory (defining a group; subgroups and cosets; normal subgroups; Cayley's theorem; conjugation; Sylow theorems; symmetric and linear groups), is a classical introduction, somewhat standard.\\NChapter 2, Permutation groups (fixed points; automorphisms of graphs; primitivity; transitivity; Norton algebras; Feit-Higman theorem; Tutte-Sims and the Weiss conjecture), links group actions to graphs and geometries.\\NChapter 3, Locally symmetric graphs (suborbits; rectagraphs; Coxeter groups; Janko and Mathieu groups; apartments), introduces amalgams and the local approach to symmetry.\\NChapter 4, Dual polar spaces (forms and diagram geometries; triality; cohomology of \\(L_n(2)\\); tri-extraspecial groups), considers topological and cohomological aspects.\\NChapter 5, The Dickson group \\(G_2(3)\\) (octonions; hexads; Cooperstein geometry; \\(14\\)-dimensional representations), provides a detailed case study of a small exceptional group.\\NChapter 6, Graphs which are locally something (locally Petersen graphs; \\(Y\\)-groups; Fischer's \\(3\\)-transposition groups; Baby Monster; Monster) deals with geometry of local actions and \\NChapter 7, Petersen and tilde geometries, with rank-\\(2\\) geometries, Mathieu, Conway, Held and Janko groups, Monster and Baby Monster again.\\NChapter 8, Locally projective graphs (geometric subgraphs; \\(G_1(x)=1\\) condition; triality and Mathieu-Held amalgams), considers classification stages and challenges.\\NChapter 9, Geometry of the Thompson group, considers Dempwolff group; Lie algebras; extensions; \\(3D_4(2)\\!:\\!3\\) and \\(U_3(8)\\!:\\!6\\).\\NChapter 10, Pushing up (amalgams; Higman-Sims and O'Nan-Sims; Harada-Norton and Lyons groups), provides techniques for enlarging geometries.\\NChapter 11 Buekenhout-Fischer geometry for the Monster deals with local and tilde geometries, \\(2\\)-local and \\(3\\)-local geometries and gives a characterization of the Monster.\\NChapter 12, Moonshine and Majorana considers axioms, Majorana forms, \\(U_4(2)\\) examples and closure properties.\\N\\NDespite the subtitle ``An introduction to modern finite group theory'', the volume presupposes substantial prior knowledge: even the first chapters, though styled as a recap, are presented with minimal pedagogical scaffolding. In contrast, the latter chapters delve into highly specialised topics such as \\(\\mathsf{Y}\\)-presentations of the Monster, Majorana theory and local characterizations of sporadic groups, areas where the lack of proofs or constructions may hinder full comprehension for readers not already well-versed in these techniques.\\N\\NThe disparity between the elementary first chapter and the advanced geometric content of the later chapters makes it difficult to identify a precise intended audience. Beginners will be overwhelmed by the second half; experts may find the first part too basic and the later parts too sketchy in technical development. Readers already familiar with the background may wish for more explicit arguments or references to proofs, especially in the combinatorial and cohomological constructions.\\N\\NA striking example of this issue appears with Lemma 2.10.2, which reads simply: ``There are no generalised pentagons; their role is played solo by the Petersen graph.'' The statement is left entirely without context or explanation, despite its significance for the theory of rank~2 geometries and their connection to sporadic groups. While the experienced reader may grasp the background implicitly, the lack of even a brief justification reinforces the difficulty, already noted, of identifying the intended audience. A similar issue occurs at various points throughout the book. One notable example appears later in Chapter~7, where the assertion ``The geometry forces the group to be \\(M\\)'' is made without further elaboration or citation. Given the central role of this claim in the characterization of the Monster, even a minimal explanation or a reference would have provided welcome clarification.\\N\\NThe frequent presence of anecdotes and digressions -- including personal memories, conference stories and humorous asides -- may be appreciated by some as humanising elements, but they may also detract from the mathematical clarity in places. That said, the tone is consistently enthusiastic and engaging and the author's deep familiarity with the material is never in doubt.\\N\\NIn conclusion, the book is a rich and original survey, conveying the flavour and interconnectedness of modern finite group theory, especially as shaped by the theory of sporadic groups and their geometries. However, the lack of formal development and the ambiguous target readership limit its utility as either a textbook or a reference work. It will best serve those already initiated into the field who seek a synthetic, personal and historically informed account.","type":"string"},"datatype":"string"},"type":"statement","id":"Q7009484$5C735E71-27B6-483B-83DF-B19CFBECC555","rank":"normal"}],"P1447":[{"mainsnak":{"snaktype":"value","property":"P1447","hash":"84143e6334371c8e3cbc935219640b812b5c932b","datavalue":{"value":{"entity-type":"item","numeric-id":258043,"id":"Q258043"},"type":"wikibase-entityid"},"datatype":"wikibase-item"},"type":"statement","id":"Q7009484$2D5CB196-7C76-4677-96D2-DF3224BCFA6B","rank":"normal"}],"P226":[{"mainsnak":{"snaktype":"value","property":"P226","hash":"1c039c02eb78c3e27cd0e064bf4ae34fd1cabfb5","datavalue":{"value":"20-02","type":"string"},"datatype":"external-id"},"type":"statement","id":"Q7009484$C8320E12-8FC6-4266-8901-335264C3A508","rank":"normal"},{"mainsnak":{"snaktype":"value","property":"P226","hash":"d42408b3b2a5719112a50156031a4dfd0836cf9b","datavalue":{"value":"20D05","type":"string"},"datatype":"external-id"},"type":"statement","id":"Q7009484$CF962820-D334-4DD8-A721-FF09F4B159FC","rank":"normal"},{"mainsnak":{"snaktype":"value","property":"P226","hash":"760e7e883b324f8e9ca39536dab668d9184172e8","datavalue":{"value":"20D08","type":"string"},"datatype":"external-id"},"type":"statement","id":"Q7009484$86C56121-10D0-48DC-BC64-88110B44BBF9","rank":"normal"},{"mainsnak":{"snaktype":"value","property":"P226","hash":"25c8936003d39e41a9c8a541470f5aac0fe1fa32","datavalue":{"value":"20B25","type":"string"},"datatype":"external-id"},"type":"statement","id":"Q7009484$AAB70ADA-FA29-45F8-A6BE-F1D7038B7F72","rank":"normal"},{"mainsnak":{"snaktype":"value","property":"P226","hash":"74e7832a915a62c417a3bf8c026eff5989fd94d3","datavalue":{"value":"05C25","type":"string"},"datatype":"external-id"},"type":"statement","id":"Q7009484$D29DC8D2-78DF-4727-9690-86CA12A60AD8","rank":"normal"},{"mainsnak":{"snaktype":"value","property":"P226","hash":"98259a5dd4d8db83a95d10edc3bf87986357d020","datavalue":{"value":"05E30","type":"string"},"datatype":"external-id"},"type":"statement","id":"Q7009484$FA213506-9F21-4CEE-AEB6-EA3378BE18D0","rank":"normal"},{"mainsnak":{"snaktype":"value","property":"P226","hash":"24ec91b717e13006b6349217aeab62cd5c6ed704","datavalue":{"value":"51E24","type":"string"},"datatype":"external-id"},"type":"statement","id":"Q7009484$B386E5FD-91F5-4975-A8C2-9E190F4EF1C6","rank":"normal"}],"P1451":[{"mainsnak":{"snaktype":"value","property":"P1451","hash":"b72ab11d2272fc62c549cfd1fef0b6984e5ef722","datavalue":{"value":"8014456","type":"string"},"datatype":"external-id"},"type":"statement","id":"Q7009484$4DF23ED9-7BDD-4FFB-88B3-5CA28D8B2148","rank":"normal"}],"P1450":[{"mainsnak":{"snaktype":"value","property":"P1450","hash":"ce9dcd679138102c114d307c778fdeaf1152b660","datavalue":{"value":"sporadic group","type":"string"},"datatype":"string"},"type":"statement","id":"Q7009484$666FA024-3BAF-4690-8667-05EF03F184BA","rank":"normal"},{"mainsnak":{"snaktype":"value","property":"P1450","hash":"0b4d44f54767fe3306ccb57206d5735d2225845f","datavalue":{"value":"building","type":"string"},"datatype":"string"},"type":"statement","id":"Q7009484$89BC34BF-BB4D-4508-A0DF-6C3DF7840BC0","rank":"normal"},{"mainsnak":{"snaktype":"value","property":"P1450","hash":"f231126765034da3bedaf3e527827076a052a8e4","datavalue":{"value":"distance-transitive graph","type":"string"},"datatype":"string"},"type":"statement","id":"Q7009484$12AE6FB1-5434-4C17-8FDB-65472FF6FD67","rank":"normal"},{"mainsnak":{"snaktype":"value","property":"P1450","hash":"39f192e79432bf8d2f148a22c8f1c978fa147c2d","datavalue":{"value":"Majorana algebra","type":"string"},"datatype":"string"},"type":"statement","id":"Q7009484$58685350-9D90-45C3-8834-FA430D1ED459","rank":"normal"},{"mainsnak":{"snaktype":"value","property":"P1450","hash":"1d185caecac728d7c7ab7883274e4b6696d95f71","datavalue":{"value":"\\(\\mathsf{Y}\\)-presentation","type":"string"},"datatype":"string"},"type":"statement","id":"Q7009484$4A56A2E5-BA0D-4B43-AE0F-1BB2A0A4699A","rank":"normal"},{"mainsnak":{"snaktype":"value","property":"P1450","hash":"0395028e0488912fd312ba5df6d83537cc0b3ce4","datavalue":{"value":"locally projective graph","type":"string"},"datatype":"string"},"type":"statement","id":"Q7009484$1A201357-9864-47A7-908A-6755B6871B5F","rank":"normal"}],"P1460":[{"mainsnak":{"snaktype":"value","property":"P1460","hash":"57f7fea50d2ce1b39b695c4a1313582eed405e38","datavalue":{"value":{"entity-type":"item","numeric-id":5976449,"id":"Q5976449"},"type":"wikibase-entityid"},"datatype":"wikibase-item"},"type":"statement","id":"Q7009484$EE312548-CD6C-4B9F-90D9-75C49183E8AD","rank":"normal"}]},"sitelinks":{"mardi":{"site":"mardi","title":"Ever-evolving groups. 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