George H. Shaw Books

Exploring the chemical nature of Earth's early surface environment, this book delves into the origins of life, outlining the processes that likely led to its emergence with a focus on quantitative data. It examines how initial conditions influenced the evolution of the Earth's surface over 2-2.5 billion years. The concluding sections analyze the geological evidence that supports this narrative, providing insights into the dynamic changes that shaped our planet's history.

Chapter 1. Introduction. Chapter 2. In the beginning...and somewhat later. Chapter 3. How to make a habitable planet. Chapter4. Prebiotic chemical synthesis. Chapter 5. The origin of life. Chapter 6. Interlude. Chapter 7. Photosynthesis - the game changer. Chapter 8. The rise of oxygen and the origin of the eukaryotic cell. Chapter 9. Earliest plants and animals. Chapter 10. The Cambrian explosion and emergence of modern body plans. Chapter 11. The end of the Ordovician and the colonization of the land. Chapter 12. The Permian extinction and the rise of the dinosaurs. Chapter 13. End of Cretaceous extinction - the end of the dinosaurs. Chapter 14. The rise of mammals, the Genus Homo, and the ongoing extinction event. Chapter 15. Conclusion.