Based on the Uplift series of novels by David Brin. From the back cover: "Of the thousands of races in a galaxy full of aliens, ours is the only one that claims to have evolved on its own, without genetic engineering by a Patron species. With its own new clients – genetically modified and chimpanzees – upstart humanity faces a jealous universe. The ancient Patron clans can't decide whether to enslave the races of Terra ... or just wipe them out."