The Story of Earth and Life by Terrence McCarthy & Bruce Rubidge.

Publisher: Struik.
First Published: 2005

There has been a movement lately to de-mystify science; to make that realm of ultimate truth more accessible to the ordinary person on the street. Richard Dawkins has contributed substantially to this with a number of highly readable and skilful attempts to unpack primarily genetics and evolution, but also other scientific conundrums. Although writing from a more sociological perspective, Jared Diamond has also helped the questioning non-academic find answers to a host of interesting questions.

The Story of Earth and Life is another gateway for the layperson into the wonders of science. Despite costing only R170.00 at Kalahari.net, the paperback is printed on glossy paper and is richly illustrated with numerous maps, diagrams and stunning photographs. The authors aim to “…share with non-specialists, the story of how the mineral deposits of southern Africa formed, how its life evolved, and how the landscape of southern Africa was shaped.”

Subtitled A southern African perspective on a 4.6-billion-year journey, the book traces southern Africa’s geological history starting from when it was part of the super-continent of Gondwanaland. Presenting evidence from plant, animal and human fossil records which are more extensive here than anywhere else in the world, the dinosaur era is reconstructed, as well as the appearance of mammals and birds and ultimately, the arrival of humans. Those humans were of course the San whose DNA has “…revealed that they are the most ancient genetically modern people on earth.”

This is not the first recent attempt to recount all of surmised history in one glossy volume. Dawkins himself has done it in The Ancestor’s Tale (2004) and so has Bill Bryson (2003) in A Short History of Nearly Everything. Both are minutely researched, well put together and indeed highly recommended. The three books actually fit together rather well with Dawkins presenting an evolutionary perspective, Bryson offering a history of science and The Story of Earth and Life providing the geological foundation.

To be sure, there are passages that read a little like a geology text book and the detail sometimes feels excessive. However, the scope covered is enormous and for the most part the text is simple, direct and informative. The overall appeal is greatly intensified by the local (southern African) perspective.

***
_________________
***: Must Have.
**: Borrow.
*: Dont bother.