Origins: The Evolution of Continents, Oceans and Life (Paperback)

Two formats are utilized in all the book chapters, topical discussions and topical essays. Both are complimented by superb, Redfern-style photography and color graphics. A particularly appealing aspect of the book is the manner in which each major topic (Chapter) is presented. Chapters usually begin with a discussion of the historical evolution of an idea, followed by scientific discussion, usually in laymen's terms and sprinkled with common analogs to help the reader perceive the subject matter. To illustrate the amazing breadth and diversity of Redfern's knowledge, as well as his ability to perceive interrelationships, I present a few examples below.

(1) Chapter III--a discussion of the origins of the name Avalonia dating back to the 1600's, followed by a discussion of 1800's-era debates over naming and placing temporal boundary conditions on geologic time intervals, which leads to discourse on early life forms;

(2) Chapter V- compares Tolkien's (Lord of the Rings trilogy) Middle Earth with mountainous regions of Pangea, and its plants and animals. On page 119, Redfern states: "The geography of Middle-earth was conceived more than a decade before the proof of seafloor spreading and continental drift had put the controversial subject of Wegener's Pangea in a more positive light. The coincidence here is that the Tolkien map of Middle-earth bears an uncanny resemblance in both topography and scale to our now quite detailed knowledge of the topography of Central Pangea." Redfern then appropriately uses Tolkien phraseology for the title of two of his chapters, The Third Age and Middle-Earth!

(3) Chapter VII- begins with "The fact that there had been a Pangean supercontinent, a Panthalassa Ocean, and a Tethys Ocean, had profound implications for the evolution of multicellular life on earth. These considerations were quite unknown to the great Victorian scientists of the 19th century-and this makes their scientific deductions even more remarkable." From this, he weaves a web of ideas and facts on natural selection, continental drift, land bridges, animal migration and evolution, etc.

(4) Chapter IX- begins with "A great debate in natural science today is about the possible cause of the end of the Middle Ages of life's evolution----". His subsequent discussion of mass extinctions, and catastrophic vs. less spectacular causes and effects of global change is fascinating and easily comprehended, yet filled with the most up-to-date scientific data and theories. I found his discussion of 1800's debates on the origin of species to be particularly enlightening. His knowledge of detail on such topics as nostrils and eye sockets of earliest reptiles and jaws and skulls of dinosaurs is quite profound within the context of the entire book's subject matter.

(5) Chapters X and XI- the family of man discussion begins with "The footprints are preserved in volcanic tuff called the "Footprint Tuff", they were found by P.I. Abell and M. Leakey in 1982". He goes on to relate glacial and interglacial periods to oceanic circulation and migration of life forms, citing the influence of tectonics and systematic variations in earth's orbit as primary driving forces. In this chapter, he also launches the reader on fascinating 'virtual' excursions, such as Christopher Columbus' trip to the New World, with scientific ramifications.

(6) Chapter XII is a tour through the evolution of life forms and behaviors, from bipedalism to discovery of fire, tools, communications, land bridges and migration routes. I provide these examples as the best way I know to express my amazement at Redfern's breadth and depth of knowledge, as well as his uncanny ability to integrate diverse subjects in a fascinating and enjoyable manner. Not only that, but as stated in an introductory section, he has provided the reader with personalized accounts and photographs of the many key areas of the world in which the very ideas of earth history oiginated and evolved! It is indeed a virtual global excursion.

In summary, an introductory statement in the book is: "The object in so-doing [writing this book] is to present for a non-specialist audience, a well researched and structured 'big picture' synthesis of the new and still-growing understanding of the Earth's interactive systems". Redfern clearly has accomplished this objective. He continually interweaves the signficant role of tectonics on climate and evolution of life forms in an enjoyable, readable manner that I am unaware of in any scientific text. Geology, geophysics, biology, ecology, geography, oceanography, atmospheric and tectonic sciences are all interrelated in a scientifically sound manner and utilize the now-common 'systems' approach. The artwork alone allows one to comprehend complex concepts. I am sure that readers will have the same difficulty I experienced in putting this book down, while marveling at the manner in which scientific detail is presented in an orderly and enjoyable manner.

Roger M. Slatt Professor and Head Department of Geology Colorado School of Mines. USA

Quite apart from the two levels of text - the scientific and the general interest - the supreme quality of the panoramic photography, again at two levels - technological and artistic - adds another dimension to the enjoyment of the reader.

If I have one criticism it is that it's too heavy to take to bed!

This must be a "must buy" for every learning institution and student's Christmas stocking.