A paleontologist and author of On Methuselah's Trail draws on present-day research and the fossil record to recreate prehistoric life and to search for clues to the catastrophic mass extinctions that have transformed the evolution of life.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
The first great mass extinction 250 million years ago, called the First Event, destroyed 90% of life on earth. The Second Event, 65 million years ago, wiped out 50% of all species, including the dinosaurs. Ward ( In Search of Nautilus ) asserts that the Third Event is well underway, having begun at the end of the last Ice Age. And the culprit this time is no asteroid but Homo sapiens. Seeking clues to the past events, Ward takes us to the Karoo Desert in South Africa, where the best record of land-animal evolution has been preserved. He inspects outcrops in the Caucasus Mountains of Soviet Georgia and searches for dinosaur fossils in Montana. Ward chronicles historic extinctions in Hawaii, the Philippine Sea, the Columbia River and Madagascar, and notes recent paleontological discoveries in China. This remarkably lucid presentation of a complex subject is reminiscent of Stephen Jay Gould's books. Illustrations.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Ward (On Methuselah's Trail: Living Fossils and the Great Extinctions, LJ 9/15/91) continues his exploration of the history of life and death on Earth. He focuses on two episodes of major extinctions in Earth's past, contending that humanity is now causing a third "mass extinction." His evidence, derived from his research at the University of Washington, is comprehensive and convincing. Ward examines current scientific ideas on evolution and extinction in nontechnical terms. Though his thesis is clear-sometimes overwhelmingly so-interesting, if tangential, digressions occasionally mar the story's flow. Still, Ward's narrative and conversational style is highly readable and helps the text remain rather hopeful. Recommended as a thought-provoking look at the history and future of life on Earth.
Jeanne Davidson, Augustana Coll. Lib., Rock Island, Ill.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Jeanne Davidson, Augustana Coll. Lib., Rock Island, Ill.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Mass Extinction and Ripples in Geologic Time,
By Casey Mutzenberger (Grand Forks, ND) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The End of Evolution (Hardcover)
The End of Evolution is a survey of geologic time presented through the research and viewpoint of a successful and well-respected paleontologist. Dr. Peter Ward presents in depth analysis of each period of the earth's past as revealed through the fossil record and modern scientific theory. The book focuses on the events leading up to and following the two major mass extinction's of the past, and presents detailed arguments that point towards human impacts as the cause of a current third event. Ward's first hand experience and knowledge of the constantly changing and highly debated scientific theories of evolution and extinction are combined with an extremely presentable writing style. The book begins with a background of evolution throughout the Paleozoic era (570-245mya) ending at the Permian-Triassic boundary in which climatic change and the lowering of the earth's ocean levels brought about for the first time a collapse in the pyramid of life. These changes resulted in the extinction of 90% of the earth's inhabitants and left the world open for new species to evolve to greatness in the wake of disaster. Ward presents ideas, theories, and many views of a variety of respected scientists. One such debate deals with the second mass extinction 65 million years ago, also known as the KT boundary. Ward reveals information about the great discoveries of evidence convincing scientists of a second great climatic and oceanic change. These changes followed by an untimely asteroid impact led to a new hope for mammals and a tragic end for possibly the world's most successful rulers, the dinosaurs. Finally, Ward brings together similarities of earlier extinction's and provides extensive evidence proving that a third extinction is currently underway. Siting research from many scientists regarding the great mammalian extinction's of North and South America and the tragic impact of human habitation on the ecosystem of Hawaii. The book's contents are at times presented in a reference style, while at other times as stories and warnings. The End of Evolution is a primer of biological and geological thought and Dr. Ward maintains a respectfully unbiased approach at presenting a highly debatable and sophisticated topic.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the best books I have read,
By
This review is from: The End of Evolution (Hardcover)
The End of Evolution is one of the best books I have read. As a geologist, I appreciated the attention to detail and his ability to draw corollaries between past extinction events and the current global situation. The message in this book is clear and well presented, whereas our planet has seen a host of extinction events, the one we are currently in the midst of is different. The difference being that this one is largely anthropogenic in nature. I think Peter Ward did a great job of sounding the alarm and providing a compelling case for reassessment of how we interact with our environment. I have recommended this book countless times over the years, and continue to do so. It may be tedious to the non-earth scientist, but is a great read none-the-less.
An interesting linkage can be made to scattered comments by Stephen Hawking on why we have not yet found compelling evidence of life on other planets. His thesis is that perhaps the 'human intelligence' we so highly prize, may actually be a non-beneficial evolutionary development. That is, our self-awareness and ability to mold our environment may actually lead to degradation of the environment (to a lethal level) and a subsequent self-inflicted extinction. Could it perhaps be that PW has given us documentation of the path to this end on Earth?
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
END OF EVOLUTION MASS EXTINICT & BIODIVERSITY,
By A Customer
This review is from: The End of Evolution (Hardcover)
END OF EVOLUTION MASS EXTINICT & BIODIVERSITY by WARD,PETER is a brilliant look into the history of planet Earth and the life that once inhibited this planet. Throughout the history mass extinctions have occured resulting in the destruction of old world also resulting in the evolution of a new world. Throughout the book Dr. Ward describes these mass extinctions and warns of another mass extinction that may take place if Human Beings are not careful. I strongly advice anyone who is remotely interested in Geology or in any sciences to read this book!
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