This is an outstanding overview of the history of the Earth from a unique planetary perspective for introductory courses in the earth sciences. The book approaches Earth history as an evolution, encompassing the origin of the cosmos through the inner working of living cells. Earth: Evolution of a Habitable World tells how the Earth has come to its present state, why it differs from its neighboring planets, what life's place is in Earth's history, and how humanity affects the processes that make our planet liveable. Today's human influences are contemplated in the context of natural changes on Earth. The text considers the burning issues in our quest to understand the Earth. It shows how the myriad disciplines of science are interwoven to understand our world and its sister planets. It points the way to how science and engineering must be applied to today's challenges if humankind is to have a promising future on Earth. This book brings a fresh perspective to the study of the Earth for students who wish to learn how our planet evolved to its present form.

‘… I am aware of no other book on this subject with the breadth, depth, and accuracy of Earth: Evolution of a Habitable World.’

Michael Drake - University of Arizona

‘Earth: Evolution of a Habitable World is thrilling reading … The mastery of this text will give the reader new perspectives on the interaction between the evolution of Earth and life, life’s place in the Universe, how it might have started, and where it might be going.’

Richard N. Zare - Stanford University

‘… the book is, in many respects, a tour de force … a remarkably broad-visioned treatment of the origin and evolution of Earth … I believe this to be an outstanding book.’

Eugene H. Levy - University of Arizona

‘ … an excellent, up-to-date introduction’.

Source: New Scientist

‘The book is splendidly illustrated with copious figures and diagrams. It provides what is perhaps the best currently available overview of the long and still continuing story of the Earth. Anyone even remotely interested in planetary science should have a copy of this book on their shelf.’

R. L. S. Taylor Source: Spaceflight

‘ … splendidly illustrated with copious figures and diagrams. It provides what is perhaps the best currently available overview of the long and still continuing story of the Earth. Anyone even remotely interested in planetary science should have a copy of this book on their shelf’.

Source: Spaceflight

‘Lunine’s Earth: Evolution of a Habitable World provides an excellent, up-to-date introduction to this way of looking at our world. It should prove attractive to the new generation of cosmological rock enthusiasts.’

Source: New Scientist

‘ … the book is an interesting and fascinating novelty.’

Source: Earth, Moon and Planets

‘… this book is easy to read but it should also appeal to non-science students who are interested in the Earth on which they live.’

Elizabeth Maddocks Source: The Open University Geological Society