This fascinating book explores the interplay of geology and biology on earth. From the very formation of the planet to well into the future, the author makes a compelling case, in accessible and descriptive prose, for the interconnectedness of geologic processes and the evolution of life. While the author's background as a mineralogist does make this book especially compelling for people interested in the broad strokes of geology and earth history, there is something in here for any reader willing to pick it up. ( )

Fascinating study of earth's origins and the progression of its formation from a mass of gases to what it is today, with a disturbing look at its future. There's a lot of technical stuff, but it is rendered quite clearly and I found it no obstacle to enjoying this illuminating and perspective-changing book. ( )

It wouldn't be that bad of a book if this was the nineteen-fifties. Even then it lacks that certain charm.

There are two things in science that are difficult, only two. The first is scale, and the second is terminology. This book is first and foremost, guilty of obfuscating its intended information with gratuitous name-dropping and narcissistic terminology. The kind scholars looking to name stuff after themselves are known for. It falls far short of the non-fiction standard set by Andy Knoll (who is among the many names dropped within). Ultimately, it's just bad at teaching, and the thing it should be able to teach is connecting mineralogy to evolution. Only two families of minerals dependent on biological evolution are even mentioned, and neither is elaborated. There is no reason for anyone who is not named within, or obligated to a dropped-name as a pre-doc, should read this. ( )

Boy you sure can tell he's a geologist--land plants and animals don't appear until the second to last chapter, and even then he's talking about rocks! The science in here is well explained, if simplified, and he does a good job of making everything that happened before life appeared seem dynamic and interesting to us life forms. The chapter where land plants and animals finally appear seems a little rushed, but the book is really about the planet itself, not us. If you're looking for a good overall view of the history of the rock we life on, this is your book. ( )

This is an excellent book written by an expert in the topic. I am impressed by the breadth and depth of knowledge of the author. He covers all of history and then comments on the likely future. I would really like to learn from this guy. One suggestion would have been to include some graphical information. I highly recommend this book. ( )