Synopses & Reviews
Fascinating story of the survival of microbes in the coldest, deepest, hottest and highest places on Earth.
Review
"Written for the general reader, Impossible Extinction is a remarkable first publication by Dr. Cockell, covering the history of our planet and its hardiest occupants, the humble microbes." Stardust"Fascinating" Paper Clips/Forecast"This is a stimulating think-piece--not too long, generally well-informed and written in a reader-friendly style. It will appeal to general readers as well as to scientists who like to reflect outside their own specializations." Nature Medicine"Cockell offers an interesting, general-readership book that juxtaposes two normally unlinked topics.... Recommended." Choice"Worth reading..." Nature
Synopsis
During the Earth's journey around the Milky Way Galaxy, life is influenced by calamitous changes. Comets and asteroids strike the surface of the Earth, stars explode near by, and enormous volcanoes erupt. Many animals and plants become extinct during this voyage, but microbes, simple creatures made of a single cell, survive this journey. This fascinating book takes a tour of the microbial world, from the coldest and deepest places to the hottest and highest, to explain how microbes have survived on Earth for over three billion years.
About the Author
Charles Cockell is a microbiologist with the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Institute (SETI). He is based at the British Antarctic Survey in Cambridge, UK.
Table of Contents
1. The galactic roulette; 2. Primordial leftovers; 3. The microbial menagerie; 4. The record of catastrophe; 5. The sky falls in; 6. Supernova fry up; 7. Fire from below; 8. Intelligent stupidity; 9. The world is not enough?