Earth History

Reviews / Votes

'I am very pleased to recommend Dr. Copeland and Dr. Bhattacharya's textbook, Earth History, to the educational and academic community. Their book transcends the traditional, often dense, textbook format, presenting geologic science as a collection of exciting short stories in a narrative style that is both engaging and informative. Their writing style is playful yet analytical, data driven and entertaining. Using a coupled systematic and conceptual approach (with a very strong emphasis on conceptual), the authors make complex topics accessible and interesting. What sets this book apart is the fun! This book's unique blend of analytical rigor and rich storytelling is designed to capture student attention, which is no easy feat in the digital age. Earth History has significantly influenced the structure and tone of my own courses. I look forward to incorporating this book into my curriculum upon its release. I am confident that it will provide an enriching educational experience for my students.' Jennifer Campo, Lone Star College, University Park 'A novel, engaging approach to learning about Earth history. Instead of taking an exhaustive time-period approach that characterizes classic historical geology texts, key events are used to explore the planet's geologic evolution. Starting with general principles of geology, the text examines major events that shaped and changed our planet over its long history. Thematic events include Proterozoic Snowball Earth, the Cambrian Explosion of Life, the supercontinent Pangea, major extinction events, the evolution of western North America and Southeast Asia, human evolution and modern Ice Ages. The text closes with a brief exploration of today's environmental challenges, bringing ancient geologic history into today's conversation. Instead of the past distinctions between physical geology and historical geology offerings, this text offers a fresh integration of disciplines, allowing instructors to amplify and cater to their and their students' interest. I heartily recommend this text.' Ben van der Pluijm, University of Michigan It is all in the title: this is Earth's history as told through stories, an approach that I think works extremely well.... It succeeds in drawing on a variety of sub-disciplines to provide students who have little or no previous knowledge of geology with a broad understanding of our planet and its fascinating journey. There is an excellent glossary, and the online resources include figures, lecture PowerPoint slides and a test bank for instructors. Overall, the chapters are impressively comprehensive, yet they provide the opportunity to be read at different levels depending on the Earth history course they accompany. The authors are to be warmly congratulated on what may turn out to be a hallmark book in the teaching of geology. Chris Hawkesworth, Geoscientist 'This book is a good summary of the history of the Earth, during which the geosciences student can consolidate his or her knowledge of the subject and of a number of study methods used in the Earth Sciences. Current issues (resources, global warming) are also discussed. A good introduction to Earth Sciences.' Marianne Font-Ertlen, Caen University 'The textbook is excellent!' Ignacio Pujana, University of Texas at Dallas 'I like the expansion into special topics such as the formation of the Mediterranean Sea.' Wayne Henderson, California State University Fullerton '... an introductory textbook written specifically for non-majors. ... the book genuinely cares about how the learning process is not the same for everyone. Therefore, various aids such as learning objectives, key points, summaries, keywords, suggestions for further reading, and review questions are provided to assist the readers.' B. Ishak, Journal of Natural History 'I like the topics covered and organization of this book.' James Harris, Millsaps College