The next few decades are likely to witness deep environmental crises, crises we will be able to cope with only through a clear understanding of the complex, delicate system of which we are part. Fortunately, the great advances made in all fields of science since World War II make it possible to reconstruct the entire life history of the world we live in, from the Big Bang to the present, and thus to understand how the system works. This book presents a global picture of our world - how it originated, how it evolved, how it works - and provides the background necessary to assess ways to stabilize it. Although the science is rigorous and quantitative, the book is written in an informal style and is readily accessible to anyone with a knowledge of high-school algebra.
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'... a challenging read ...' New Scientist
'Planet Earth is a book that can be read from start to finish and it is also a book that can be dipped into almost anywhere. There is much here to educate and also to entertain.' Mercian Geologist
'Planet Earth is a book that can be read from start to finish and it is also a book that can be dipped into almost anywhere. There is much here to educate and also to entertain.' Mercian Geologist
Book Description
This book presents a global picture of our world - how it originated, how it evolved, how it works - and provides the background necessary to assess ways to stabilize it. Although the science is rigorous and quantitative, the book is written in an informal style and is readily accessible.
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18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Text For My Dream Earth Science Course.,
By Bruce Crocker "agnostictrickster" (Whittier, California United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)
This review is from: Planet Earth: Cosmology, Geology, and the Evolution of Life and Environment (Paperback)
At this point in history, I teach a college preparatory course in earth science to 9th graders in northern Orange County, California. I don't have my MS [didn't finish my research or write my thesis], so I won't be teaching a basic earth science course at a junior college anytime soon. And even if the College Board okays an AP Geology course, I doubt this book will wind up on the approved text list. However, I can dream. If I could teach the senior high school level or freshman junior college level earth science course of my dreams, Planet Earth by Cesare Emiliani would be my text. This is a physical geology/earth science/earth system science book for smart students. Emiliani pulls no punches, includes lots of equations, asks open-ended questions and shows an excellent wit. All the pictures/drawings/diagrams are in black and white, so if you've got students who need lots of Kodachrome to excite them, this isn't the text for you. It's a quirky, unique text. It's not like any of the other basic earth science texts out there and bears the personal touches of its author. I read it for fun and inspiration and would definitely recommend it for the interested nonscientist. I know it's a paperback, but it is worth every penny you pay for it. Get a copy for your reference shelf today! And maybe you'll teach my dream course before I do.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent read for someone who wants to learn a lot about the Earth,
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This review is from: Planet Earth: Cosmology, Geology, and the Evolution of Life and Environment (Paperback)
This book is so great, I read it front to back. It is very understandable, while at the same time relating the topics to basic physical or chemical properties of the elements around us. He will tangent into a different 'field of study' in order to explain why something exists or came to be. Great book. It is also a good reference for all kinds of physical, chemical, geological, biologic knowns/definitions.
It's set chronologically from the beginning of the Earth till modern day. All the while explaining Earth/life processes. Lots of diagrams, tables, and illustrations. This would be a great classroom book as well.
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
Scientists often are portrayed as superhumans, operating on a higher plane, in some sort of intellectual empyreum. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
extinctive evolution, marine ingression, strain electricity, ferruginous oolites, porphin ring, asteroidal belt, planktic foraminifera, oriental emerald, foraminiferal shells, oriental topaz, redshift parameter, spreading axis, igneous minerals, spinning proton, asteroidal impact, positive helicity, trochophore larva, amniotic egg, tropical year, horizontal parallax, isostatic equilibrium, natural amino acid, greenstone belts, pillow basalts Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
North America, United States, Late Cretaceous, New York, North Atlantic, South Africa, Big Bang, Early Cambrian, Black Sea, North Africa, Green River Formation, Gulf of Mexico, Early Cretaceous, Indian Ocean, Middle Cambrian, Admiral Halsey, Late Jurassic, Late Proterozoic, Main Sequence, Mount Everest, Early Ordovician, Geological Survey, Julius Caesar, Middle Jurassic, Early Jurassic New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Scientists often are portrayed as superhumans, operating on a higher plane, in some sort of intellectual empyreum. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
extinctive evolution, marine ingression, strain electricity, ferruginous oolites, porphin ring, asteroidal belt, planktic foraminifera, oriental emerald, foraminiferal shells, oriental topaz, redshift parameter, spreading axis, igneous minerals, spinning proton, asteroidal impact, positive helicity, trochophore larva, amniotic egg, tropical year, horizontal parallax, isostatic equilibrium, natural amino acid, greenstone belts, pillow basalts Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
North America, United States, Late Cretaceous, New York, North Atlantic, South Africa, Big Bang, Early Cambrian, Black Sea, North Africa, Green River Formation, Gulf of Mexico, Early Cretaceous, Indian Ocean, Middle Cambrian, Admiral Halsey, Late Jurassic, Late Proterozoic, Main Sequence, Mount Everest, Early Ordovician, Geological Survey, Julius Caesar, Middle Jurassic, Early Jurassic New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 100
books:
See all 100 books this book cites
2
books
cite this book:
- Dinosaurs Past and Present (Volume 2) by Sylvia J. Czerkas in Back Matter (1), Back Matter (2), and Back Matter (3)
- The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin on page 359, Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- On the Origin of Species (Penguin Classics) by Charles Darwin on page 359, Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Planet Earth by Emiliani in Front Matter, page 49, and Back Matter
- On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin on page 359, and Back Matter
See all 100 books this book cites
- Introduction to the Study of Dinosaurs by Anthony J. Martin on page 52, and page 115
- The Origins of Life and the Universe by Paul F. Lurquin in Back Matter
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