Planet Earth: A Beginner's Guide

Beginner's Guide (Oneworld Publications)

by John Gribbin

In this incredible expedition into the origins, workings, and evolution of our home planet, John Gribbin, bestselling author of In Search of Schrödinger's Cat, The Scientists, and In Search of the Multiverse, does what he does best: taking four and a half billion years of mind-boggling science and digging out the best bits. From the physics of Newton and the geology of Wegener, to the environmentalism of Lovelock, this is a must read for Earth’s scientists and residents alike. Trained as an astrophysicist at Cambridge University, John Gribbin is currently Visiting Fellow in Astronomy at the University of Sussex, England.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction

208 pages, Paperback

First published July 16, 2011

About the author

John R. Gribbin is a British science writer, an astrophysicist, and a visiting fellow in astronomy at the University of Sussex. His writings include quantum physics, human evolution, climate change, global warming, the origins of the universe, and biographies of famous scientists. He also writes science fiction.

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice, brief introduction to the geology of the Earth, starting with a history of the science itself and finishing with some rather chilling (but unsurprising, for anybody who doesn't have their head firmly planted up their butt) truths about how humanity's activities are changing the ecosystem.

To be honest, the ending note of '...and boy are we screwing the place up' didn't feel entirely relevant to the non-humanicentric focus of the rest of the book but it's a message worth repeating, so I'll let them off.

[The Talent · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy a range of science books but I've never looked into geology much. Not only am I very happy with this first exposure, but I was also much impressed with John Gribbin's style and now that I see he has many books published, I may have a lot of work ahead of me. A great read for curious minds.

[Joy Paull · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was a very good way to get started and incredibly interesting!
He's a very good science writer.

[Any Length · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great beginners guide for anyone who wants to find out about this planet of ours. Also some great info for those who already know a fair bit.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book to provide an overview/introduction to geologic science related to planet earth as well as the insight into the development of life on earth.

[Daniel Wrench · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good clear coverage of the concepts of geology and its human effects.

[Cassie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't understand all the science in this book - but enough that I was able to follow the topics being discussed, stay interested in the topic and keep reading.

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good little audiobook I listened to

[Mills College Library]

550 G846 2012