Genesis

"Genesis" by H. Beam Piper is a science fiction story about a group of space colonists whose journey to a new world goes horribly wrong when a meteor collision destroys their ship and strands them on an uncharted planet. Colonel Kalvar Dard and the surviving colonists now have to face a hostile environment, compete with primitive humanoids called the Hairy People, and endure the trials of creating a society from scratch after losing all food and technology stores. Through the years, the group transforms physically and culturally as they adapt, with Dard guiding them through hardships as they struggle for survival and build a new life. The narrative focuses on the strength of humanity, the twists of evolution, and their determination to secure a future after losing everything.