A most improbable journey : a big history of our planet and ourselves Cover Image

Book

A most improbable journey : a big history of our planet and ourselves / Walter Alvarez.

Alvarez, Walter, 1940- (author.).

Summary:

"Famed geologist Walter Alvarez expands our view of human history by revealing the cosmic, geologic, and evolutionary forces that have shaped us. Big History, the field that studies the entire known past of our universe to give context to human existence, has so far been the domain of historians. In The Little Book of Big History, geologist Walter Alvarez--best known for his 'Impact Theory' explaining dinosaur extinction--makes a compelling case for a new, science-first approach to Big History. He brings a scientist's view to the human story, from the creation of our universe and our planet, the rise of life, the movement of our continents and its effect on human migration, to humanity's ascendance due to our mastery of Earth's natural resources. Alvarez's illuminating observations and stories will give readers a new appreciation of the events, from the Big Bang to the Bronze Age and beyond, that have led to the human situation. Through entertaining, bite-sized chapters, The Little Book of Big History will send readers out in a thousand different directions to learn more"--Provided by publisher.

Record details

ISBN: 9780393292695
ISBN: 039329269X
Physical Description: 246 pages : illustrations, maps ; 25 cm
Edition: First edition.
Publisher: New York : W.W. Norton & Company, [2017]
Copyright: ©2017

Content descriptions

Bibliography, etc. Note:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Formatted Contents Note:

Prologue -- Big history, the Earth, and the human situation -- [1] Cosmos -- From the Big Bang to Planet Earth -- [2] Earth -- Gifts from the Earth -- A planet with continents and oceans -- A tale of two mountain ranges -- Remembering ancient rivers -- [3] Life -- Your personal record of life history -- [3] Humanity -- The great journey -- Being human -- Epilogue -- What was the chance of all this happening? -- Appendix 1: Further resources -- Appendix 2: Figure sources.