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“Immersive . . . bracingly ambitious . . . rewinds the story of life on Earth—from the mammoth steppe of the last Ice Age to the dawn of multicellular creatures over 500 million years ago.”—The EconomistLONGLISTED FOR THE BAILLIE GIFFORD PRIZE • “One of those rare books that’s both deeply informative and daringly imaginative.”—Elizabeth Kolbert, author of Under a White SkyONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The New Yorker, Prospect (UK)The past is past, but it does leave clues, and Thomas Halliday has used cutting-edge science to decipher them more completely than ever before. In Otherlands, Halliday makes sixteen fossil sites burst to life on the page. This book is an exploration of the Earth as it used to exist, the changes that have occurred during its history, and the ways that life has found to adapt―or not. It takes us from the savannahs of Pliocene Kenya to watch a python chase a group of australopithecines into an acacia tree; to a cliff overlooking the salt pans of the empty basin of what will be the Mediterranean Sea just as water from the Miocene Atlantic Ocean spills in; into the tropical forests of Eocene Antarctica; and under the shallow pools of Ediacaran Australia, where we glimpse the first microbial life. Otherlands also offers us a vast perspective on the current state of the planet. The thought that something as vast as the Great Barrier Reef, for example, with all its vibrant diversity, might one day soon be gone sounds improbable. But the fossil record shows us that this sort of wholesale change is not only possible but has repeatedly happened throughout Earth history. Even as he operates on this broad canvas, Halliday brings us up close to the intricate relationships that defined these lost worlds. In novelistic prose that belies the breadth of his research, he illustrates how ecosystems are formed; how species die out and are replaced; and how species migrate, adapt, and collaborate. It is a breathtaking achievement: a surprisingly emotional narrative about the persistence of life, the fragility of seemingly permanent ecosystems, and the scope of deep time, all of which have something to tell us about our current crisis.

Details e-book Otherlands

🗸 Author(s): Thomas Halliday
🗸 Title: Otherlands: A Journey Through Earth's Extinct Worlds
🗸 Rating : 4.4 from 5 stars (440 reviews)
🗸 Languange: English
🗸 Format ebook: PDF, EPUB, Kindle, Audio, HTML and MOBI
🗸 Supported Devices: Android, iOS, PC and Amazon Kindle

Readers' opinions about Otherlands by Thomas Halliday

Alaina Rodgers
This gripping thriller takes readers on a rollercoaster ride through the dark alleys of a crime-ridden city, where the protagonists must unravel a complex web of deceit to solve a murder. The plot twists are relentless, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the final revelation. With its well-developed characters and gritty atmosphere, this book is a must-read for fans of the genre.

Angeline Waters
This thought-provoking work of non-fiction explores the mysteries of the human mind, delving into the complexities of consciousness and perception. Drawing on the latest scientific research, the author sheds light on the inner workings of the brain, offering fascinating insights into what makes us who we are. Engaging and accessible, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in the workings of the human mind.

Lucy Rose
Delve into the pages of this engrossing historical fiction novel, where the past comes alive in vivid detail. Set against the backdrop of a bygone era, the story follows the lives of ordinary people caught up in extraordinary events. With its richly drawn characters and immersive storytelling, this book offers a glimpse into a world long gone but not forgotten.