The aim of this book is to explore the linkage between the geology of Earth and human development and history. In the terms of the subtitle, how the Earth made us.
Starting from the formation of the planet and its structure, of which the drifting continents are the key feature, it swiftly homes in on what geological factors led to the emergence of homo sapiens as the dominant species.
Further chapters explain how climatic change affected early population spread; how wind patterns and ocean currents follow on from geological factors and how the discovery of them enabled Europeans to shift the axis of trade from overland routes such as the silk road to naval routes to overseas empires; how science and technology has found and utilised the laid down rocks and minerals to drive development and draw on a bank of stored energy freeing mankind (for good or ill) from the previous constraints of sun-powered agriculture.
Well argued,
informative and thought provoking.
No comments:
Post a Comment