Little History of the Earth

Jamie Woodward is professor of physical geography at the University of Manchester. He has published extensively on environmental change and recent Earth history. His books include The Ice Age: A Very Short Introduction and The Physical Geography of the Mediterranean.

“[A] lively book.”—Andrew Robinson, Nature“The author’s reverence for his subject—the ever-changing world—turns what could be a workmanlike read into an exciting one.”—Kirkus Reviews“In 40 short chapters [Woodward] brings 4.54 billion years of Earth’s history alive, and . . . pays tribute to the scientists and other thinkers who, driven by a passionate curiosity, have helped us understand more about our planet, its past, and our place in that history.”—Nigel Warburton, New World“A breezy and brilliant waltz through the history of Earth. Accessible and authoritative, A Little History of the Earth covers 4.54 billion years of history in 40 punchy chapters. If you’re short on time but want to appreciate the big-picture history of our planet, let Jamie Woodward be your guide.”—Steve Brusatte, author of The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs“A fast-paced and entertaining distillation of our planet’s history from its formation until now. Each succinct chapter tells a fascinating story of scientific discovery.”—Tim Coulson, author of A Little History of Everything“A wonderful introduction to our planet's past, and what makes the Earth so special. Pocket-sized, but bursting with big, mind-blowing ideas!”—Lewis Dartnell, author of Origins