Earth Book: From the Beginning to the End of Our Planet
250 Milestones in the History of Earth Science
Spanning Earth's entire history, from its birth 4.6 billion years ago to its inevitable destruction billions of years into the future, this stunning volume chronicles the life of our home planet in 250 well-chosen milestones. Jim Bell leads us on a tour of the events, processes, people, and places that have shaped our growing knowledge of Earth, from the oceans' formation and the first perilous polar expeditions to deadly volcanoes and Earth "selfies" from space. He covers relevant topics in a range of fields, including physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy, geology, mineralogy, planetary science, life science, public policy, atmospheric/climate science, and engineering, along with notes on key scientists and inventors. At a time when it's crucial to understand Earth as a complex interdependent system, and our role in that system, The Earth Book will enhance your appreciation of our home.
About the Author
Dr. Jim Bell is a professor in Arizona State University's School of Earth and Space Exploration in Tempe, Arizona, and an adjunct professor in the Department of Astronomy at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. As president of The Planetary Society, he is an active and prolific public commentator on science and space exploration, earning the 2011 Carl Sagan Medal from the American Astronomical Society. Jim has appeared on numerous radio and television shows, including NBC's Today Show and PBS's NewsHour, as well as programs on the Discovery, National Geographic, and History networks. Author of four illustrated trade books, he has been involved in such NASA robotic exploration missions as the Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR), Mars Pathfinder, the Mars rovers Spirit, Opportunity, and Curiosity, and the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. The main belt asteroid 8146 Jimbell is named in his honor.