What brings about the extinction of a species? Is it a genetic flaw or a run of really bad luck? All scientists agree on the fact of extinction, but science has never agreed on its physical causes. From the traditional theory of climatic change to the controversial theory of meteorites, this book investigates each possibility and puts the arguments for and against. Questioning much of the conventional wisdom, this book makes a number of claims, including a theory that blames all significant extinctions on falling meteorites.
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What brings about the extinction of a species? Is it a genetic flaw or a run of really bad luck? All scientists agree on the fact of extinction, but science has never agreed on its physical causes. From the traditional theory of climatic change to the controversial theory of meteorites, this book investigates each possibility and puts the arguments for and against. Questioning much of the conventional wisdom, this book makes a number of claims, including a theory that blames all significant extinctions on falling meteorites.
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Seller's Description:
Good. All pages and cover are intact. Possible slightly loose binding, minor highlighting and marginalia, cocked spine or torn dust jacket. Maybe an ex-library copy and not include the accompanying CDs, access codes or other supplemental materials.
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Seller's Description:
Good. Used, some outer edges and corners have minor scuffs, cover has scratches, book content is in very good condition. B-format paperback. 227 p. Line drawings, tables, bibliography. Intended for college/higher education audience. Intended for professional and scholarly audience.
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Seller's Description:
Very Good. This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping.
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Good. All orders are dispatched within 1 working day from our UK warehouse. Established in 2004, we are dedicated to recycling unwanted books on behalf of a number of UK charities who benefit from added revenue through the sale of their books plus huge savings in waste disposal. No quibble refund if not completely satisfied.
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Good. B-format paperback. 227 p. Line drawings, tables, bibliography. Intended for college/higher education audience. Intended for professional and scholarly audience. A study which charts the history of evolution from the dawn of life on Earth to the present day. Physical causes of the extinction of numerous species, such as global cooling, volcanism, meteors and the fall of the sea level, are assessed in terms of their plausibility.
I was given a list of "the five best books on evolution" and this is one of them. I can see why.
Dr Raup's idea is that extinction is not always because of the inability to adapt, but also bad luck. He writes in an entertaining and very readable style about the subject matter. His presentation of the various methods of extinction and their potential impact on the KT extinction make this a must read for anyone interested in paleontology or even just interested in why species die out.
As I read the others on the list I will continue to review them.
