The Earth System

by Lee R. Kump, James F. Kasting, Robert G. Crane

The first book of its kind that addresses the issues of global change from a perspective of Earth as a system, "The Earth System" offers a solid emphasis on lessons from Earth history that may guide decision-making in the future. This book teaches global change and how it affects our environment. Modern topics covered by this comprehensive book are the atmosphere and global warming, the circulation of the oceans, plate tectonics, ecosystems, the origin of Earth and life, the rise of oxygen and ozone depletion, biodiversity, and climate stability. Because of its incredibly detailed appendices, tables, and suggestions for further reading, this will make an excellent reference work for geologists, oceanographers, meteorologists, and geographers.

Genres: Science, Geology, Nonfiction, Academic, College

400 pages, Paperback

First published March 3, 1999

Reviews

[Julia Russ · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the past two terms, this was the textbook for my Earth Systems Science class, and, despite how dense it is, I feel like it was well written and has given me a pretty comprehensive view on how all of the different Earth systems interact with one another. The textbook touches on the atmosphere, the oceans, the cryosphere, the geosphere, and how life originated on Earth -- it really is fascinating.

My biggest complaint is how out-of-date the textbook is in relation to the final chapters on global warming. We read the third edition of the textbook for my class -- which was published in 2010 -- and so much has changed since then. I feel like a new edition is warranted to update these chapters in relation to how the state of climate change has advanced nearly 15 years after its initial publication.

There may be a new edition and my professor just didn't assign it for some reason -- if so, I would recommend picking that one up. Overall, this was very much a solid, foundational textbook.

[Nick Black · Rating 3 out of 5]

Our textbook for EAS1600 back in Fall 2003. Lots of good detail and coverage, although it'd have been difficult to synthesize the disparate material without our professor.

[Jennifer]

I only had to read a few for school, that is why I skipped through it. Very good text book though.

Last day of class today :)

[Marie Schuh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book for my Earth Dynamics and Systems class. It wasn't too awful for a textbook, but it wasn't great either.

[Ken · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5