The science of extinction is a lively and moveable feast of scientific speculation and research. Scientist/author David Raup takes the subject of nature's disappearing act to task, covering everything from the Ice Age Blitzkreig to the fate of the marshes on Martha's Vineyard, the extinction of flying reptiles to mankind's impact on tropical reefs. Graphs.
In this lively, fascinating, and often disturbing book, Raup reexplores the controversies of the Nemesis theory and investigates the issues--both scientific and philosophical --of mass extinction.
Michael Foote and Arnold Miller have stepped in to revise this classic text. It is their vision to take the core approach of the second edition, and reflect the substantial changes to the rudiments of the subject from the previous two decades. This third edition remains an excellent text for those studying geophysical sciences.
Presents principles of paleontology at an undergraduate level Emphasizes theory and concepts over details of morphology and the fossil record Profusely illustrated with photographs, charts, graphs, and tables
Rereading the Fossil Record presents the first-ever historical account of the origin, rise, and importance of paleobiology, from the mid-nineteenth century to the late 1980s. Drawing on a wealth of archival material, David Sepkoski shows how the movement was conceived and promoted by a small but influential group of paleontologists and examines the intellectual, disciplinary, and political dynamics involved in the ascendency of paleobiology. By tracing the role of computer technology, large databases, and quantitative analytical methods in the emergence of paleobiology, this book also offers insight into the growing prominence and centrality of data-driven approaches in recent science.
A lively, informal narrative by a renowned paleontologist introduces readers to the scientific research behind the theory that dinosaurs were killed off by the effects of a shower of comets. Illustrated.
Of all the figures in the Bible, David arguably stands out as the most perplexing and enigmatic. He was many things: a warrior who subdued Goliath and the Philistines; a king who united a nation; a poet who created beautiful, sensitive verse; a loyal servant of God who proposed the great Temple and founded the Messianic line; a schemer, deceiver, and adulterer who freely indulged his very human appetites. David Wolpe, whom Newsweek called “the most influential rabbi in America,” takes a fresh look at biblical David in an attempt to find coherence in his seemingly contradictory actions and impulses. The author questions why David holds such an exalted place in history and legend, and then proceeds to unravel his complex character based on information found in the book of Samuel and later literature. What emerges is a fascinating portrait of an exceptional human being who, despite his many flaws, was truly beloved by God.
Rereading the Fossil Record presents the first-ever historical account of the origin, rise, and importance of paleobiology, from the mid-nineteenth century to the late 1980s. Drawing on a wealth of archival material, David Sepkoski shows how the movement was conceived and promoted by a small but influential group of paleontologists and examines the intellectual, disciplinary, and political dynamics involved in the ascendency of paleobiology. By tracing the role of computer technology, large databases, and quantitative analytical methods in the emergence of paleobiology, this book also offers insight into the growing prominence and centrality of data-driven approaches in recent science.
A history of scientific ideas about extinction that explains why we learned to value diversity as a precious resource at the same time as we learned to “think catastrophically” about extinction. We live in an age in which we are repeatedly reminded—by scientists, by the media, by popular culture—of the looming threat of mass extinction. We’re told that human activity is currently producing a sixth mass extinction, perhaps of even greater magnitude than the five previous geological catastrophes that drastically altered life on Earth. Indeed, there is a very real concern that the human species may itself be poised to go the way of the dinosaurs, victims of the most recent mass extinction some 65 million years ago. How we interpret the causes and consequences of extinction and their ensuing moral imperatives is deeply embedded in the cultural values of any given historical moment. And, as David Sepkoski reveals, the history of scientific ideas about extinction over the past two hundred years—as both a past and a current process—is implicated in major changes in the way Western society has approached biological and cultural diversity. It seems self-evident to most of us that diverse ecosystems and societies are intrinsically valuable, but the current fascination with diversity is a relatively recent phenomenon. In fact, the way we value diversity depends crucially on our sense that it is precarious—that it is something actively threatened, and that its loss could have profound consequences. In Catastrophic Thinking, Sepkoski uncovers how and why we learned to value diversity as a precious resource at the same time as we learned to think catastrophically about extinction.
An appreciation of the beautiful, iconic, and endangered Eastern Hemlock and what it means to nature and society The Eastern Hemlock, massive and majestic, has played a unique role in structuring northeastern forest environments, from Nova Scotia to Wisconsin and through the Appalachian Mountains to North Carolina, Tennessee, and Alabama. A “foundation species” influencing all the species in the ecosystem surrounding it, this iconic North American tree has long inspired poets and artists as well as naturalists and scientists. Five thousand years ago, the hemlock collapsed as a result of abrupt global climate change. Now this iconic tree faces extinction once again because of an invasive insect, the hemlock woolly adelgid. Drawing from a century of studies at Harvard University’s Harvard Forest, one of the most well-regarded long-term ecological research programs in North America, the authors explore what hemlock’s modern decline can tell us about the challenges facing nature and society in an era of habitat changes and fragmentation, as well as global change.
More than half the world's population is familiar with the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt when they were liberated from slavery. Religious groups and movements of liberation, from the Puritans to Mormons to the American Civil Rights Movement, have used it as a template and an inspiration in their own struggles for freedom. In Jewish tradition, the Exodus is applied to the individual life journey, with captivities, freedoms and wildernesses. This book will explore how the struggles in Genesis can be applied to our issues today—personal and cultural. "Rabbi Zaslow weaves a connective tapestry for people of faith who no longer want their religions to divide them from each other. Reimagining Exodus takes the reader on a timeless journey. It shows how the Passover story has been a roadmap for both spiritual and personal liberation for thousands of years. As the foundational story beneath Judaism and Christianity it is time to reimagine how this seminal story relates to our world and our personal lives today." — Fr. Richard Rohr, Center of Action and Contemplation "David Zaslow has taken one of the greatest stories ever told and made it even greater. This book is a tremendous gift to anyone who is taking a journey of the soul, seeking to escape internal slavery and make it to the promised place where suffering is no more." —Marianne Williamson, teacher and author of Tears to Triumph "With the mind of a scholar, the heart of a poet, and the sould of a Hasidic teacher, Rabbi David Zaslow explains the Biblical exodus as more than an epic event. This book offers readers the ancient story as a contemporary compass—one which can guide our lives toward greater meaning and purpose, regardless of the faith we follow, citizenship we hold, or the politics we practice." —Rabbi Brad Hirschfield, President, Clal, The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership
Of all the characters bequeathed to us by the Hebrew Bible, none is more compelling or complex than David. Divinely blessed, musically gifted, brave, and eloquent, David's famous slaying of Goliath also confirms that he is a redoubtable man of war. Yet, when his son Absalom rebels, David is dogged by the accusation than he will lose his kingdom because he is not merely a man of war, but a man of 'bloods' - guilty of shedding innocent blood. In this book, for the first time, this language of 'innocent blood' and 'bloodguilt' is traced throughout David's story in the books of Samuel and 1 Kings. The theme emerges initially in Saul's pursuit of David and resurfaces regularly as David rises and men like Nabal, Saul, Ishbosheth, and Abner fall. Innocent blood and bloodguilt also turn out to be central to David's reign. This is seen in a surprising way in David's killing of Uriah, but also in the subsequent deaths of his sons, Amnon and Absalom, his general, Amasa, and even in David's encounters with Shimei. The problem rears its head again when the innocent blood of the Gibeonites shed by Saul comes back to haunt David's kingdom. Finally, the problem reappears when Solomon succeeds David and orchestrates the executions of Joab and Shimei, and the exile of Abiathar. Attending carefully to the text and drawing extensively on previous biblical scholarship, David J. Shepherd suggests that innocent blood is not only a pre-eminent concern of David, and his story in Samuel and 1 Kings, but also shapes the entirety of David's history.
This important volume reviews the status of investigations aimed at deciphering the geologic, biogeographic, and archaeological records for the Quaternary Era—the last million years of geologic time-for the area of continental United States. Over eighty Quaternary scientists have contributed to the fifty-five chapters divided into four main parts. Part 1 treats the areal geology, with emphasis on the stratigraphy of the glaciated areas east of the Rocky Mountains, unglaciated eastern and central United States, and western United States. Part 2 deals with biogeography: phytogeography and palynology, animal geography and evolution. Part 3 deals with archaeology prehistory in the northeastern states, southeastern states, plains, desert west, and Pacific Coast including Alaska. Part 4 covers many diverse Quaternary studies on—the continental shelves, isotope geochemistry, paleopedology, the geochemistry of some lake sediments, paleohydrology, glaciers and climate, volcanic-ash chronology, paleomagnetism, neo-tectonics, dendrochronology, and theoretical paleoclimatology. Originally published in 1965. The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.
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