If you do not want to have to wade through heavy tomes and are equipped with only school-level knowledge of science, to gain a basic appreciation of this subject, then this 150 page short book could well be just what you need. * Jonathan Cowie, Science Fact & Science Fiction Concatenation * I have never read a better introduction to this vast, fascinating, and vital subject. It really is like seeing the world in a grain of sand. * Dr Ted Nield, Editor, Geoscientist magazine * How much do we know about our home? Jan Zalasiewicz's brief history of Earth is fun to read, yet strong on science too. It's a clear and accurate guide to our planet, and also addresses the challenge of caring for the environment. Just right for that flight or a long train trip! * Euan Nisbet, Foundation Prof. of Earth Science, Royal Holloway, Univ. of London *