?Full of mind-bending conceptual twists and wonderful character' Ed Yong author of An Immense
World ?Ambition eloquence and erudition . . . absolutely exhilarating' John Vaillant author
of Fire Weather The notion of a living world is one of humanity's oldest beliefs. Though once
scorned by many scientists the concept of Earth as a vast interconnected living system has
gained acceptance in recent decades. Life not only adapts to its surroundings - it also shapes
them in dramatic and enduring ways. Over billions of years life transformed a lump of orbiting
rock into our cosmic oasis breathing oxygen into the atmosphere concocting the modern oceans
and turning rock into fertile soil. Life is intertwined with Earth's capacity to regulate its
climate and maintain balance. Through compelling narrative evocative descriptions and lucid
explanations Ferris Jabr shows us how Earth became the world we've known how it is rapidly
becoming a very different world and how we will determine what kind of Earth our descendants
inherit for millennia to come. ?Fascinating thought-provoking and ultimately inspiring'
Elizabeth Kolbert author of The Sixth Extinction
