Earth System History [Paperback]

Steven M. Stanley (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0716728826 | ISBN-13: 978-0716728825 | Publication Date: October 15, 1998

Using the earth system approach, Steven M. Stanley shows how Earth's ecosystem has developed over time, and how events in the past can help us deal with present and future changes.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

STEVEN M. STANLEY, John Hopkins University, USA. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 615 pages
• Publisher: W. H. Freeman (October 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0716728826
• ISBN-13: 978-0716728825
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,009,392 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent beginner book for geology., January 18, 2006

By 

A. Parker "geek" (Iowa City, Iowa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Earth System History & Student CD-Rom: with Student CD-ROM (Paperback)

This book covers general geology and the fundamentals of earth processes and paleontology. From earthquakes to evolution, this book gives at least a superficial and fundamental view of each major topic. The images and diagrams are by far the most impressive part of this book. Full color diagrams, photos and drawings help to illustrate practically every page.

Chapter 1: historical theories in geology as well as the basics of geology from the rock cycle to geologic time.

Chapter 2: minerals, rock properties and types of rocks.

Chapter 3: basic scientific organization of life and fossils.

Chapter 4: environment and its relationship with life.

Chapter 5: sedimentary rocks, soils & environments including glaciers, lakes, deserts, rivers and the ocean.

Chapter 6: geologic time, stratigraphy basics and dating methods.

Chapter 7: evolution basics, concepts of extinction, evolutionary trends.

Chapter 8: plate tectonics - evidence, consequences and general mechanisms.

Chapter 9: orogenesis (mountain building) - processes, introduction to structural geology.

Chapter 10: introduction to geochemistry - chemical cycles, isotopes, atmospheric trends related to weathering rates, climate-related isotopes and mineralogy.

Chapter 11 - Chapter 20 each deal with a major phase in geologic time from the creation of the planet to the movement of the plates to the great ice ages and finally to the modern era.

The CD, while helpful, essentially contains the same information as the book. I personally did not find it any more or less helpful than the book itself.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It is wonderfull !, March 19, 2000

By 

Andréa (Curitiba - BRASIL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Earth System History & Student CD-Rom: with Student CD-ROM (Paperback)

Everybody that is interested in historical geology and paleontology must have this book. It is clear with a lot of informations, has beautifull pictures and a fantastic CD ROM. One of the best I bought last year !

5.0 out of 5 stars A Text EVERYONE Should Read!, October 17, 2009

By 

W. A. Keele "WAK" (Missoula, MT United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Earth System History (Paperback)

I'll keep this simple.
It's great for geoscience students.
It contains well-put information about our world that EVERYONE should know!
It paints an excellent picture of historical geology and general Earth processes.
Give it a try!