About the book
Harvard’s acclaimed geologist “charts Earth’s history in accessible style” (AP)
“A sublime chronicle of our planet.\" –Booklist, STARRED review
How well do you know the ground beneath your feet?
Odds are, where you’re standing was once cooking under a roiling sea of lava, crushed by a towering sheet of ice, rocked by a nearby meteor strike, or perhaps choked by poison gases, drowned beneath ocean, perched atop a mountain range, or roamed by fearsome monsters. Probably most or even all of the above.
The story of our home planet and the organisms spread across its surface is far more spectacular than any Hollywood blockbuster, filled with enough plot twists to rival a bestselling thriller. But only recently have we begun to piece together the whole mystery of our planet's past into a coherent narrative. Drawing on his decades of field research and up-to-the-minute understanding of the latest science, renowned geologist Andrew H. Knoll delivers a rigorous yet accessible biography of Earth, charting our home planet's epic 4.6 billion-year story. Placing twenty first-century climate change in deep context, A Brief History of Earth is an indispensable look at where we’ve been and where we’re going.
Features original illustrations depicting Earth history and nearly 50 figures (maps, tables, photographs, graphs).
This essential work of popular science explains:
- Deep Earth History: Follow the epic 4.6-billion-year story of our planet, from roiling seas of lava to the age of fearsome monsters.
- Accessible Science Writing: Understand the complex forces that shaped our world through a narrative filled with enough plot twists to rival a bestselling thriller.
- Geological Perspective: See how the ground beneath your feet was once crushed by ice, drowned beneath oceans, or perched atop mountain ranges.
- Climate Change in Context: Grasp the significance of twenty-first-century climate change by placing it within the grand narrative of Earth’s past and future.
Editions of Brief History of Earth
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780062853929
- EBook
- ISBN 9780062853936
Read an Excerpt
Harvard’s acclaimed geologist “charts Earth’s history in accessible style” (AP)
“A sublime chronicle of our planet.\" –Booklist, STARRED review
How well do you know the ground beneath your feet?
Odds are, where you’re standing was once cooking under a roiling sea of lava, crushed by a towering sheet of ice, rocked by a nearby meteor strike, or perhaps choked by poison gases, drowned beneath ocean, perched atop a mountain range, or roamed by fearsome monsters. Probably most or even all of the above.
The story of our home planet and the organisms spread across its surface is far more spectacular than any Hollywood blockbuster, filled with enough plot twists to rival a bestselling thriller. But only recently have we begun to piece together the whole mystery of our planet's past into a coherent narrative. Drawing on his decades of field research and up-to-the-minute understanding of the latest science, renowned geologist Andrew H. Knoll delivers a rigorous yet accessible biography of Earth, charting our home planet's epic 4.6 billion-year story. Placing twenty first-century climate change in deep context, A Brief History of Earth is an indispensable look at where we’ve been and where we’re going.
Features original illustrations depicting Earth history and nearly 50 figures (maps, tables, photographs, graphs).
This essential work of popular science explains:
- Deep Earth History: Follow the epic 4.6-billion-year story of our planet, from roiling seas of lava to the age of fearsome monsters.
- Accessible Science Writing: Understand the complex forces that shaped our world through a narrative filled with enough plot twists to rival a bestselling thriller.
- Geological Perspective: See how the ground beneath your feet was once crushed by ice, drowned beneath oceans, or perched atop mountain ranges.
- Climate Change in Context: Grasp the significance of twenty-first-century climate change by placing it within the grand narrative of Earth’s past and future.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Brief History of Earth about?
Harvard’s acclaimed geologist “charts Earth’s history in accessible style” (AP)
“A sublime chronicle of our planet.\" –Booklist, STARRED review
How well do you know the ground beneath your feet?
Odds are, where you’re standing was once cooking under a roiling sea of lava, crushed by a towering sheet of ice, rocked by a nearby meteor strike, or perhaps choked by poison gases, drowned beneath ocean, perched atop a mountain range, or roamed by fearsome monsters. Probably most or even all of the above.
The story of our home planet and the organisms spread across its surface is far more spectacular than any Hollywood blockbuster, filled with enough plot twists to rival a bestselling thriller. But only recently have we begun to piece together the whole mystery of our planet's past into a coherent narrative. Drawing on his decades of field research and up-to-the-minute understanding of the latest science, renowned geologist Andrew H. Knoll delivers a rigorous yet accessible biography of Earth, charting our home planet's epic 4.6 billion-year story. Placing twenty first-century climate change in deep context, A Brief History of Earth is an indispensable look at where we’ve been and where we’re going.
Features original illustrations depicting Earth history and nearly 50 figures (maps, tables, photographs, graphs).
This essential work of popular science explains:
- Deep Earth History: Follow the epic 4.6-billion-year story of our planet, from roiling seas of lava to the age of fearsome monsters.
- Accessible Science Writing: Understand the complex forces that shaped our world through a narrative filled with enough plot twists to rival a bestselling thriller.
- Geological Perspective: See how the ground beneath your feet was once crushed by ice, drowned beneath oceans, or perched atop mountain ranges.
- Climate Change in Context: Grasp the significance of twenty-first-century climate change by placing it within the grand narrative of Earth’s past and future.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Brief History of Earth?
History and Archaeology > History > History: specific events and topics > Historical geography
Where can I read a sample of Brief History of Earth?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780062853929
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Brief History of Earth?
Andrew H. Knoll
Who is the Publisher of the book Brief History of Earth?
HarperCollins
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Brief History of Earth is available as paperback(ISBN 9780062853929) and ebook(ISBN 9780062853936)
Where can I buy Brief History of Earth online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Brief History of Earth from below
Where can I buy Brief History of Earth?