Dear Sherman Loran Jenkins
Short but interesting essay.
Yours, CHAPTER ONE:
Among the early evolved forms of life were bacteria and viruses.
I would say:
Among the early evolved forms of life were viruses and bacteria.
Because these days, regarding the pandemic, I've heard the following about viruses:
Viruses are not living organisms;
Viruses are a transitional form between living and non-living;
Viruses are living organisms.
My conclusion is that life is constantly emerging through extremely slow processes, wherever possible. It can also be transmitted (panspermia).
Further progress has been well described by you.
Regards,
Branko