History of Life, Second Edition

In this undergraduate text the author has written an introductory book on the history of life, suitable for short courses and for students with a limited background in science. Based on the author's considerable experience of teaching just such a course, the book is structured as a series of essays on the major events and innovations in the history of life on Earth. Constant reference is made to current studies of ecological and biological principles and how these can be used to interpret the past, with vivid case studies illustrating particular theories and methods