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Very Short Introductions #193
The History of Life: A Very Short Introduction
There are few stories more remarkable than the evolution of life on earth. This Very Short Introduction presents a succinct guide to the key episodes in that story - from the very origins of life four million years ago to the extraordinary diversity of species around the globe today.
Beginning with an explanation of the controversies surrounding the birth of life itself, each following chapter tells of a major breakthrough that made new forms of life possible: including sex and multicellularity, hard skeletons, and the move to land. Along the way, we witness the greatest mass extinction, the first forests, the rise of modern ecosystems, and, most recently, conscious humans.
Introducing ideas from a range of scientific disciplines, from evolutionary biology and earth history, to geochemistry, palaeontology, and systematics, Michael Benton explains how modern science pieces the evidence in this vast evolutionary puzzle together, to build up an accessible and up-to-date picture of the key developments in the history of life on earth.
Beginning with an explanation of the controversies surrounding the birth of life itself, each following chapter tells of a major breakthrough that made new forms of life possible: including sex and multicellularity, hard skeletons, and the move to land. Along the way, we witness the greatest mass extinction, the first forests, the rise of modern ecosystems, and, most recently, conscious humans.
Introducing ideas from a range of scientific disciplines, from evolutionary biology and earth history, to geochemistry, palaeontology, and systematics, Michael Benton explains how modern science pieces the evidence in this vast evolutionary puzzle together, to build up an accessible and up-to-date picture of the key developments in the history of life on earth.
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First published January 1, 2008
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About the author
Michael J. Benton
101 books125 followersMichael J. Benton FRS is Professor of Vertebrate Palaeontology at the University of Bristol. He is particularly interested in early reptiles, Triassic dinosaurs, and macroevolution, and has published over 50 books and 300 scientific articles. He leads one of the most successful palaeontology research groups at the University of Bristol, and has supervised over 60 PhD students.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
May 15, 2025
The Evolutionary Tree Of Life
The Very Short Introductions Series of Oxford University Press offers busy readers the opportunity to revisit subjects and to branch out and learn new things. It also allows readers to compare different ways of asking questions. For example, I recently read Terry Eagleton's book in the series, "The Meaning of Life". The book, of course, is a philosophical study which spends most of its time trying to understand the question to determine whether it makes sense. I have read a good deal of humanistic, philosophical literature but little in the literature of science. Thus from Terry Eagleton's book The Meaning of Life", I turned to Michael Benton's almost equally broad book about life's history, "The History of Life" (2008), in the Very Short Introductions series. Benton is the former Head of the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Bristol. He has written extensively on paleontology.
Benton begins his book the way a philosopher might: "It is hard to make sense of the history of life on Earth." He talks about the almost unimaginable periods of time involved, the complexity and incomplete character of the data, and the sheer diversity and strangeness of life in its forms. Yet Benton proceeds carefully and methodically examining the evidence. Even a very short introduction to the history of life requires reference to several disciplines, including biology, geology, chemistry, geography, and physical anthropology, and more. Benton wants to explain what he calls the "evolutionary tree of life" which includes its development from its earliest stages many millions of years ago. The three chief sources of data, Benton points out, are the fossil record, the advances in molecular biology, and techniques in determining the age of rocks.
The book covers a great deal of material concisely and well. Benton writes clearly and with an obvious mastery of his subject. He does not write down to his lay readers. The work includes many photographs and charts which help with the text. The most important of these is the chart of geologic time (pp. 17-18) which is basic for understanding what follows.
In successive chapters, Benton considers the origins of life, the early beginnings of sexual reproduction, the origins of skeletons, the movement of life from the sea to land, the Carboniferous age of life and its extinction, the dinosaurs and their extinction, and the origins of humans. He writes both with the respect for fact of a scientist and with a sense of the wonder of the history and its many twists, developments, and byways. The sense of wonder is particularly apparent in Benton's discussion of the origins of life. Benton discusses controversies among scientists over the data and how the controversies have been resolved, if they have. He shows awareness of the ambiguous place of humans in the history. On one hand, humans are the product of evolution, as are other forms of life. On the other hand, humans are in some sense "special" in that "no other species on earth to our knowledge, writes books, or even reflects on the history of its species."
At the end of his very short introduction, Benton draws some conclusions. Most importantly, he argues that the history of life cannot be regarded as a "narrative" in the way this word is now overused because the development of life has not been teleologically (purposefully) based but is instead the product of evolution. Benton also points out that the evolutionary process has not stopped, and he cautions his readers, in spite of the uniqueness of humans, against thinking that our species constitutes in any meaningful way the "pinnacle" or the "goal" of the evolutionary process. This is wise advice.
The most striking aspect of this history of life for me was the enormity of geologic time. The many millions of years of evolutionary development get stressed in the book. It is difficult to even imagine time frames of this scope.
Over the years, I have been fortunate to visit the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. which has many exhibits that complement this work. But strolling casually through a wonderful museum is no substitute for sustained reading of even a very short introductory book. I haven't thought a great deal about science since graduating from college many years ago. This book and others in the very short introductions series constitute excellent ways to be reminded of important ways of thinking and learning.
Robin Friedman
The Very Short Introductions Series of Oxford University Press offers busy readers the opportunity to revisit subjects and to branch out and learn new things. It also allows readers to compare different ways of asking questions. For example, I recently read Terry Eagleton's book in the series, "The Meaning of Life". The book, of course, is a philosophical study which spends most of its time trying to understand the question to determine whether it makes sense. I have read a good deal of humanistic, philosophical literature but little in the literature of science. Thus from Terry Eagleton's book The Meaning of Life", I turned to Michael Benton's almost equally broad book about life's history, "The History of Life" (2008), in the Very Short Introductions series. Benton is the former Head of the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Bristol. He has written extensively on paleontology.
Benton begins his book the way a philosopher might: "It is hard to make sense of the history of life on Earth." He talks about the almost unimaginable periods of time involved, the complexity and incomplete character of the data, and the sheer diversity and strangeness of life in its forms. Yet Benton proceeds carefully and methodically examining the evidence. Even a very short introduction to the history of life requires reference to several disciplines, including biology, geology, chemistry, geography, and physical anthropology, and more. Benton wants to explain what he calls the "evolutionary tree of life" which includes its development from its earliest stages many millions of years ago. The three chief sources of data, Benton points out, are the fossil record, the advances in molecular biology, and techniques in determining the age of rocks.
The book covers a great deal of material concisely and well. Benton writes clearly and with an obvious mastery of his subject. He does not write down to his lay readers. The work includes many photographs and charts which help with the text. The most important of these is the chart of geologic time (pp. 17-18) which is basic for understanding what follows.
In successive chapters, Benton considers the origins of life, the early beginnings of sexual reproduction, the origins of skeletons, the movement of life from the sea to land, the Carboniferous age of life and its extinction, the dinosaurs and their extinction, and the origins of humans. He writes both with the respect for fact of a scientist and with a sense of the wonder of the history and its many twists, developments, and byways. The sense of wonder is particularly apparent in Benton's discussion of the origins of life. Benton discusses controversies among scientists over the data and how the controversies have been resolved, if they have. He shows awareness of the ambiguous place of humans in the history. On one hand, humans are the product of evolution, as are other forms of life. On the other hand, humans are in some sense "special" in that "no other species on earth to our knowledge, writes books, or even reflects on the history of its species."
At the end of his very short introduction, Benton draws some conclusions. Most importantly, he argues that the history of life cannot be regarded as a "narrative" in the way this word is now overused because the development of life has not been teleologically (purposefully) based but is instead the product of evolution. Benton also points out that the evolutionary process has not stopped, and he cautions his readers, in spite of the uniqueness of humans, against thinking that our species constitutes in any meaningful way the "pinnacle" or the "goal" of the evolutionary process. This is wise advice.
The most striking aspect of this history of life for me was the enormity of geologic time. The many millions of years of evolutionary development get stressed in the book. It is difficult to even imagine time frames of this scope.
Over the years, I have been fortunate to visit the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. which has many exhibits that complement this work. But strolling casually through a wonderful museum is no substitute for sustained reading of even a very short introductory book. I haven't thought a great deal about science since graduating from college many years ago. This book and others in the very short introductions series constitute excellent ways to be reminded of important ways of thinking and learning.
Robin Friedman
August 11, 2017
Not a bad book if you expect an introduction into historical monumental challenges of paleontology. It was not so interesting as to draw me in. It certainly was not as interesting as the title suggests. However, it might be interesting to people who already are interested in the subject.
February 10, 2010
Excellent and very readable. As a 'Very Short Introduction' it fits the bill admirably. I would recommend it to anyone with an interest in the subject with one caveat: it could be slightly tough going and confusing in places for anyone without a basic scientific background and familiarity with the history of the Earth. Such a knowledge is assumed in places. However, that is a small drawback to what is an excellent overview of a topic conveyed in a highly readable way. The author has that rare knack of being able to write clear, comprehensible English that is a joy to read. He also has a keen sense of humour. It is remarkable what is covered so thoroughly in so few pages.
May 27, 2017
I knew I would love this little book when the opening paragraph concluded with "...or at least merely microscopic beasts of extreme simplicity floating in the primordial ocean."
Science books are best when written by people who love their subject matter, and Professor Benton loves paleontology. A great introduction to how life began and evolved over the last 4 billion years (give or take several hundred million years).
The "Very Short Introduction Series" is like being allowed to survey classes for a tiny fraction of the required tuition. Plus, they're the perfect size for business travel.
Science books are best when written by people who love their subject matter, and Professor Benton loves paleontology. A great introduction to how life began and evolved over the last 4 billion years (give or take several hundred million years).
The "Very Short Introduction Series" is like being allowed to survey classes for a tiny fraction of the required tuition. Plus, they're the perfect size for business travel.
November 5, 2018
3 1/4 stars
August 15, 2020
Unfortunately for me this didn't really cover much material I wasn't already familiar with. That said, I did quite like the areas that were relatively new to me, such as the origins of life on land and the details of major extinction events.
April 21, 2011
The history of life is a very fascinating subject, with an almost universal appeal. And yet, life itself is scientifically a very complex phenomenon that could fill up libraries worth of books. As such, it is quite remarkable that a succinct book like this one would be even attempted, leave alone published. Michael Benton is commended for accomplishing in this very short introduction to take us along life's evolutionary trajectory and systematize and explain the origins of many major branches in ever changing tree of life. The book is extremely enjoyable to read, and on one level it reads almost as a crime novel: you are constantly wondering what comes next, and what do the clues from paleontology, geology and other disciplines tell us about the particular life forms that arose and perhaps vanished millions or billions of years ago. The view of life that the book presents is the one of progression towards more and more complex life forms, which has fallen out of favor with most evolutionary biologists. It is true that every new life form is just trying to find another suitable niche in the ever-changing ecosystem, but it should also not be overlooked that the complexity of life has increased throughout the history. In a sense Michael Benton is unapologetic in presenting that view, which only adds to the overall readability of this book. Whether you have been studying life for many years or are completely new to the subject, this would be a great book to read. I highly recommend it.
May 19, 2024
and, and, and, and, so, so, so, so, and, and, and, and, so, so, so, so, and, and, and, and, so, so, so, so, and, and, and, and, so, so, so, so, and, and, and, and, so, so, so, so, and, and, and, and, so, so, so, so, and, and, and, and, so, so, so, so, and, and, and, and, so, so, so, so, and, and, and, and, so, so, so, so, and, and, and, and, so, so, so, so, and, and, and, and, so, so, so, so, and, and, and, and, so, so, so, so, and, and, and, and, so, so, so, so, and, and, and, and, so, so, so, so, and, and, and, and, so, so, so, so, and, and, and, and, so, so, so, so, and, and, and, and, so, so, so, so, and, and, and, and, so, so, so, so, and, and, and, and, so, so, so, so, and, and, and, and, so, so, so, so, and, and, and, and, so, so, so, so, and, and, and, and, so, so, so, so, and, and, and, and, so, so, so, so, and, and, and, and, so, so, so, so
September 29, 2019
A brief but rich introduction to, well, the history of life. The Very Short Introduction series generally has solid writing, but Michael J. Benton seems to have a solid sense of what his audience wants to read about. Every chapter is fascinating and you get just enough of each topic. Benton knows how to paint a picture. I often found myself picturing the landscapes he describes, from the dense but flowerless vegetation of the Carboniferous to the not-so-different from today's forests of the late Cretaceous. (I picture the T-rex in the tropical setting of Jurassic Park, but I guess it would have found itself at a home in the forests back home in New Hampshire, at least during the warmer months.)
Each chapter covers a lot of ground, painting with broad strokes, and particular cases are used to illustrate broader themes. One thing I appreciate (as I do for books on any topics) is that Benton highlights the limit to what we know, or how the prevailing theories have changed over time or been challenged by new evidence. It's always good to remind people there's so much out there we don't know, but that's okay. We've never going to have all the answers, but there's still a huge volume we do know about distant past. In fact, perhaps by biggest takeaway from this book is that for some period of paleontology we have an overabundance of fossil and geological evidence. Another surprise is that there were so many challenges from life going from sea to land (not the least of which was dehydration) that scientists consider the adaptation of gills into lungs wasn't a major barrier. "Air breathing, as mentioned before, was a relatively minor problem," (p. 83).
In case you're curious about the major topics, here are the chapters:
1. The origin of life
2. The origin of sex
3. The origin of skeletons
4. The origin of life on land
5. Forests and flight
6. The biggest mass extinction
7. The origin of modern ecosystems
8. The origin of humans
The book is super-readable and written for a general audience - no science background required. But if you are familiar with biology you'll probably still enjoy this little gem.
Each chapter covers a lot of ground, painting with broad strokes, and particular cases are used to illustrate broader themes. One thing I appreciate (as I do for books on any topics) is that Benton highlights the limit to what we know, or how the prevailing theories have changed over time or been challenged by new evidence. It's always good to remind people there's so much out there we don't know, but that's okay. We've never going to have all the answers, but there's still a huge volume we do know about distant past. In fact, perhaps by biggest takeaway from this book is that for some period of paleontology we have an overabundance of fossil and geological evidence. Another surprise is that there were so many challenges from life going from sea to land (not the least of which was dehydration) that scientists consider the adaptation of gills into lungs wasn't a major barrier. "Air breathing, as mentioned before, was a relatively minor problem," (p. 83).
In case you're curious about the major topics, here are the chapters:
1. The origin of life
2. The origin of sex
3. The origin of skeletons
4. The origin of life on land
5. Forests and flight
6. The biggest mass extinction
7. The origin of modern ecosystems
8. The origin of humans
The book is super-readable and written for a general audience - no science background required. But if you are familiar with biology you'll probably still enjoy this little gem.
February 7, 2026
This is whirlwind tour of the history of life on planet Earth. There are chapters and text devoted to, and this order, theories of the chemical origins of life, the development of cells, sex, photosynthesis, skeleton structure, and life on land, There are exclusive chapters on the age of the dinosaurs and human evolution. The idea of mass extinctions, there have been five documented in the geological record, is a significant part of the book. Prominent among these is the Permian event (~250 million years ago) where 96% species went extinct. As “ a very short introduction” the material is compacted and comes at the reader fast. Familiarity with the subject makes this a better reading. The author discusses research but there is no bibliography that lists references to that research. Reading this in an e-book form allows the reader to search dictionary and Wikipedia references which will help in understanding the many terms and concepts.
August 8, 2019
Very good and well written introduction that manages to cover everything from the first bacteria to the evolution of humankind. By necessity it needs to be done in brief of course, but Benton manages to do it with surprising detail any way and also to give some comments on various schools and arguments. I read this book because I'm writing a book about theology for children, and it turns out that many children's have a huge amount of question about God and dinosaurs, the animals an Noah, human and apes and so on. Since I don't subscribe to any young earth notions I thought it would be good to brush up my knowledge on some of these questions. Turns out that this book was perfect for this and will probably be very useful for me.
June 4, 2017
Covering over 3.5 billion years of life on earth in just 166 pages was always going to be something of a tall order. The History of Life is a whistle-stop tour of that period, taking us from the earliest fossils to the modern day.
Michael Benton is particularly good at describing the different ‘types’ of life punctuated by Earth’s great mass-extinction events. I was also pleased to see him dedicate the last couple of pages of this book to making it clear that evolution does not have any endgame in mind, that it is still ongoing, and that mankind is not the ‘pinnacle’ of our planet’s evolutionary history—just ask any cockroach!
Michael Benton is particularly good at describing the different ‘types’ of life punctuated by Earth’s great mass-extinction events. I was also pleased to see him dedicate the last couple of pages of this book to making it clear that evolution does not have any endgame in mind, that it is still ongoing, and that mankind is not the ‘pinnacle’ of our planet’s evolutionary history—just ask any cockroach!
February 15, 2023
This does exactly what it set out to do in an enjoyable format. But since it is 15 years old, there are some inaccuracies and out of date information which is to be expected. For example, the author says there is no proof that dinosaurs cared for their young, but there have been fossilized nests found with the parent still sitting on them. He also says we don't know if dinosaurs were endothermic or exothermic, but now there is evidence that at least some were endothermic. I'm sure there are other places this book shows it's age but it was still a nice short read.
January 22, 2018
concise but clear, and compulsively readable
March 13, 2018
Consice, informative and clear. A nice intoduction that you can put down and then pick up agian.
September 6, 2018
Uma das melhores leituras do ano. Sucinto e instigante!
September 28, 2018
I found it to be thick on details that were not particularly enticing. But I’m grateful to the author for creating a comprehensive survey of the history of life (as we understood it today).
September 30, 2018
I've read around 8 earth sciences Very Short Introduction books and this is one of the best. This book is very accessible and absolutely fascinating.
March 26, 2020
nice short book about the history of life on earth... it focuses on eras and areas more than others ... it contains difficult scientific terms though
May 1, 2022
Very comprehensive intro to the fascinating history of life
May 4, 2023
Excellent, imminently readable.
October 15, 2024
Very simply you need a good brain to follow the various levels of environmental changes and evolutionary developments. The humans have just started.
October 31, 2024
Interesting but I did feel myself wanting to nod off on the bus haha
November 5, 2022
A interesting and informative book, but it lacks a bibliography or further reading section which most VSI books include.
March 19, 2011
What did I think while reading the book? Ah, it arouse mixed feelings. I felt ashamed of knowing nothing about our universe. At the same time, I felt excited to find out so much about such an interesting subject in a book that involved only 160 plus pages. It's a thought provoking book, particularly, for all those who, like me, have a narrow understanding about the world and how did life evolve.
December 22, 2015
There is a sense of wonder spread in this book. We have little evidence of the life diversity during the last 4 billion years. The fossils preserved a small fraction of the species, much is missing. Life diversity therefore is a huge mystery and will remain a mystery for many more years or forever. Of course we are getting better at undressing Nature and here we have a compact report.
June 30, 2013
A great VSI tracing the origins of life on our planet.
February 17, 2014
Great Review
It's been a while...still thought there were five kingdoms. Glad I'm getting caught up with the more current information. Very easy to follow his easy going style.
It's been a while...still thought there were five kingdoms. Glad I'm getting caught up with the more current information. Very easy to follow his easy going style.
October 23, 2014
Fantastic and informative read. A comprehensive insight to a large topic.
November 27, 2015
An excellent review of the evolution of our current ecosystems, with all the calamities of mass extinction vivdly described.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews