Following on from Christopher Lloyd's 'What on Earth Happened?' this book exceeds all expectations. It is a fascinating insight into the influences and impacts of 100 natural species, 50 of which evolved in the wild before the existence of man, and the remaining 50 under the influence of man.
Before mankind all species, from viruses to fish that came ashore, were the building blocks of our planet. They developed through natural selection and lead to the enormous biodiversity that enabled Earth to survive the mass extinctions that we know occurred in the past. Following the arrival of humans many new species were, and still are, being developed through artificial selection for the benefit of just one species, mankind. This raises many questions, particularly in relation to man's impact on biodiversity and, even, the future of Earth itself.
'What on Earth Evolved?' is jargon-free and written to appeal to a wide readership from early teenagers upwards. It is thought-provoking and packed with fascinating information. Christoper Lloyd has, once again, managed to write a well presented book which can be read from end-to-end or just dipped into. Inevitably it will stimulate discussion about the future of the human race and its relationship to nature as a whole.
This book is a must for educational establishments and for anyone who has an interest in the environment, biodiversity, the future of our planet, or just life in its broadest sense.