OP states there is a categorical difference between animals and humans, in the ability of humans to transfer data to future generation. This is not the case, because animals do this as well.
There doesn't need to be a categorical difference, just a real difference that is strong enough to explain humanities sharp left turn by something other than increased brain size. I do believe that's plausible - humans are much much better than other animals at communicating abstractions and ideas accross generations. Can't speak about the book, but X4vier's example would seem to support that argument.
Do you believe you are a typical conscious being or an atypical conscious being? And does that belief follow from an argument or an assertion?