The Earth: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) [Paperback]

Martin Redfern (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 25, 2003 | ISBN-10: 0192803077 | ISBN-13: 978-0192803078

Around 30 years ago, two things happened that were to revolutionize the understanding of our home planet. First, geologists realized that the continents themselves were drifting across the surface of the globe and that oceans were being created and destroyed. Secondly, pictures of the entire planet were returned from space. Suddenly, the Earth began to be viewed as a single entity; a dynamic, interacting whole, controlled by complex processes we scarcely understood.
This Introduction explores emerging geological research and explains how new advances in the understanding of plate tectonics, seismology, and satellite imagery have enabled us to begin to see the Earth as it actually is: dynamic and ever changing.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A useful overview of the processes that have shaped our planet. All in all, if you have limited time and only want to dip into a subject, this sort of condensed introduction to a complicated topic like the Earth will hopefully whet your appetite for a more in-depth knowledge."--Katherine Joy, The Astrobiology Society of Britain

About the Author

Martin Redfern studied geology at University College London. He has written extensively for magazines and newspapers such as New Scientist, The Economist, the Sunday Times, and the Independent on Sunday.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (September 25, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0192803077
• ISBN-13: 978-0192803078
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #318,058 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A gem, January 12, 2008

By 

Ryoji Watanabe - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Earth: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) (Paperback)

This book has a lot going against it: First, it's about geology :-). Second, the producer isn't providing a flashy picture-book format-- it has more text than figures. But I found it constantly interesting!

The text reads like a rapid sequence of one interesting fact after another. Many of the facts are surprisingly modern, and some even speculative. But they are all *interesting*. These mini descriptions form a story that puts the Earth in its cosmic context, and visits each significant aspect of its nature.

If you have a scientific curiosity but do not know geology, I think you will find it a quick and engaging invitation into some new knowledge.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Earth, September 18, 2008

By 

Jenner Pinto (Belo Horizonte, MG Brazil) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Earth: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) (Paperback)

Written with great clarity and being up to date, The Earth is indeed a very good introduction to this subject and a truly pleasant reading.