This excellent book covers a lot of ground, in more ways than one. Part science and part history, "Written in Stone" by science writer Brian Switek offers an overview of how men of science came to understand the Earth and its myriad life forms. If you are an experienced reader of the Earth Sciences some of this material may already be familiar to you but Switek presents it in a fresh, informative manner. Starting in the 15th Century, and probably before, men of science noticed how the landscape was arranged in layers and some of those layers contained rock formations that looked a lot like the remains of living things. If these were indeed traces of long dead plants and animals, how did they come to be entombed in solid rock and why were the shells of sea creatures often found so far inland or in high mountain locations? Early studies of Geology and Evolution were often hampered by Religious Doctrine that teaches a strict interpretation of Scripture that often ran contrary what science had to say on the subjects. Throughout the book Switek introduces you to some of the scientist who shaped our understanding of the world around us. Men like Charles Lyell, Thomas Huxley, Alfred Wallace and, of course, Darwin himself. What they discovered and what they proposed was controversial to say the least and has remained so, to this very day. For me the most interesting parts of the book dealt with the history of life as we understand it today. The transition of fish to tetrapod, how birds may have learned to fly, why whales and elephants got so big. Then there's Man's story, tracing our journey from the trees to the ground and why "Homo sapiens" is probably the last of a varied group. This book may not be for everyone but if you're at all interested in prehistoric life and the geological history of our world then "Written in Stone" may be just what you've been looking for. This is Switek's first book and it's a good one, a little technical in parts but clearly written for the layman reader. Both the print and e-reader editions are illustrated with archival photos, numerous charts, graphs and animal reconstructions. I had no technical or downloading problems with this Kindle edition.
Last Ranger
Add Prime
to get Fast, Free delivery
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
About the author
