Synopses & Reviews
The Earth is home, according to one estimate, to some 3,000 million million million million living things. But that's just a fraction of those that have existed throughout history. Vast mountain ranges have risen and been worn away. Continents have broken up and drifted across the globe only to collide again to form new land masses. This book is the story of the Earth from its fiery beginning to the arrival of man.
An introductory chapter focuses on the processes that underlie the development of life on Earth. Each of the following chapters examines a single period of geological time and introduces us to terrific trilobites, amazing ammonites, dynamic dinosaurs, and humble humans. Throughout are fascinating sidebars and an index, glossary, and extensive timeline are added as excellent study and research tools to enable the reader to access information in several different ways.
From the beginning of the universe, through the beginnings of life, to the arrival of humans, The Young Oxford Book of the Prehistoric World tells the story of life and death throughout the centuries, and how every living thing that is or ever was contributes to the rich and complex world that is the Earth today.
Review
"Color photographs, illustrations, diagrams, and maps fit the text well."--The Horn Book Guide
"A clear and comprehensive work that begins with the Big Bang theory and concludes with the evolution of mankind.... The lively and accessible text and format will entice browsers. Far superior to and far more comprehensive than Prehistoric Life (Knopf, 1994)."--School Library Journal
"An excellent, beautiful new title. Visually exciting and authoritative."--J. Worthington, Dallas Independent School District
"Jill Bailey and Tony Seddon's Prehistoric World provides an excellent introduction to the science behind paleontology. From the big bang to the rise of humankind, these authors have a solid grasp on the current theory, and they do a fine job of presenting it.... They don't just pass on information, they teach their readers to think like scientists.... Excellent illustrations of what ancient animals may have looked like and photographs of fossils highlight the entire book."--Muse
"Expect heavy use for these well-written, attractive books.... Lavishly illustrated...packed with the kind of in-depth, interesting information students need for reports.... Well worth the price."--Booklist
About the Author
Tony Seddon is Director of Educational Publishing at Cambridge University Press. He has written numerous books on the living world, including several on the Caribbean, an area in which he has a particular interest.
Jill Bailey followed her degree in botany with teaching and research in the ecology and biochemistry of plants. She has written over 50 books for children and adults.