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Here on Earth

A Natural History of the Planet
by Tim Flannery
Here on Earth: A Natural History of the Planet. Atlantic Monthly. Apr. 2011. c.336p. index. ISBN 9780802119766. $25. NAT HIST
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In his latest work, Flannery (The Weather Makers: How Man Is Changing the Climate and What It Means for Life on Earth), an internationally acclaimed scientist, explorer, and conservationist, traces the history of our planet and the evolution of our species with remarkable detail in a "twin biography" format. Flannery is guided by two strands of evolutionary theory—reductionist science as epitomized by Charles Darwin, and the more holistic analyses of Alfred Russel Wallace and James Lovelock—and he believes that these opposing theories reflect the different ways humans approach the custodianship of planet Earth. He describes Earth's formation from the beginning at the moment of the creation with the big bang and the transformation of the ocean from all kinds of metals, which, he believes, are catalysts in the formation of the earliest process of life.
VERDICT Flanney's storytelling style of narrative and his razor-sharp observations and expansive knowledge of the subject enliven the material. Highly recommended for science readers.
Reviewed by Barbara Hoffert , Apr 15, 2011
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