History of Earth

For anybody who has wondered why ours is the only planet in the Solar System to support life, this fascinating book uncovers the rich history of life on Earth in all its myriad forms.

Charting the 100 most significant developments in the changing chemistry, biology and geological formation of our planet over the last 4.5 billion years, this book builds up an astonishing picture of how the very first stirrings of life came to be. Discover how the world around us was shaped through seismic shifts and volcanic eruptions, and how the carboniferous coal deposits which first sustained life were formed. And learn how 3.2 billion year old spores hold the clues to our existence today. From the discovery of Cooksonia, the first true land plant, to the Ceonozoic explosion of mammals, insects and flowering plants that herald life as we know it, Douglas Palmer charts the landmark moments that unlock the key to life as we know it – and what the future might hold.

Packed with over 200 illustrations and diagrams, as well as sophisticated computer simulations and impressions of how the world could evolve in the future, this is a fascinating, easy-to-follow reference for anybody interested in the science of our origins, and the awe-inspiring complexity of life on Earth.