History of Life, Second Edition [Paperback]

Richard Cowen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 28, 1994 | ISBN-10: 0865423547 | ISBN-13: 978-0865423541 | Edition: 2

In this undergraduate text the author has written an introductory book on the history of life, suitable for short courses and for students with a limited background in science. Based on the author's considerable experience of teaching just such a course, the book is structured as a series of essays on the major events and innovations in the history of life on Earth. Constant reference is made to current studies of ecological and biological principles and how these can be used to interpret the past, with vivid case studies illustrating particular theories and methods

Editorial Reviews

Review

" History of Life wonderfully fills the vacuum of introductory books on this subject ... refreshing and radically different ... (it has) received rave reviews from the students ... " Palaios on the first edition

Book Description

This book is aimed at anyone interested in the history of life on our planet. It explores the "whys" of events that occurred, and in this new edition, it takes a closer look at the evolution of the physical earth and the strong interactions between organisms and environment. The book's coverage includes geography, climate, atmosphere, ocean, and land (a changing stage) while following interplay between organisms. Also new to this edition is a devoted website-www.blackwellpublishing.com/cowen-that explores additional environmental factors and supplemental topics and provides key links and additional reader assistance. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 2 edition (October 28, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0865423547
• ISBN-13: 978-0865423541
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.8 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,473,835 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superbly Written Book, Very Informative and Engaging to Read, September 8, 2010

By 

Catamaran'78 - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: History of Life (Paperback)

The author knows his stuff, and is one of those often uncommon professors who not only knows his subject 110%, but can present it in a clear, interesting and concise fashion, with numerous diagrams and photographs to illuminate facts. All of the hundreds of illustrations are in B&W, and most are not too large, but they add a lot to the presentation and are carefully selected. No matter how much you have read on the history of life on earth, there will be facts and theories in this book you have not seen before. He covers life from the very beginning, before the Cambrian, and discusses the evolution of both plants and animals, climate zones and how the movement of continents change climate, and the full range of critters: therapsids, diapsids, multituberculates, dicynodonts, etc., along with extinctions, mentioning the possible development of a oxygen depleted Panthalassa ocean (the only ocean at that time as all the continents were fused), a theory of Isozaki (p 99) contributing to the Permian-Triassic mass extinction. I have read many books on evolution and paleontology written at the college level, and this is without a doubt the best overall presentation I have read.

1 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Shipped Fast! Great Condition., September 13, 2009

By 

O. Yeend - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: History of Life (Paperback)

This book shipped faster than I thought it would which was great. It was also in new condition as advertised. Thank you!