In the Blink of an Eye: The Cause of the Most Dramatic Event in the History of Life

Parker, Andrew

ISBN 10: 0743239881 / ISBN 13: 9780743239882

Edité par Simon and Schuster, London, England, 2003

Softcover, first edition, 498gms, 316 pages. This book explores the 'big bang' of evolution known as the Cambrian Explosion and the theory behind it that is largely centred around the evolution of the eye. Book is in very good condition with only minor general wear and tear and very mild page discolouration, otherwise no other pre-loved markings. N° de réf. du vendeur 001201

Synopsis :

Aims to explain the most dramatic event in the history of life - the Cambrian Explosion, or 'Big Bang' of evolution. Andrew Parker, a Research Fellow at Oxford University, explores the cause, and describes the point at which animals, with eyes open for literally the first time, began hunting each other.

Présentation de l'éditeur: Between 543 and 538 million years ago, something remarkable happened. After hundreds of millions of years of gradual and painstaking evolution, suddenly the process exploded into life. For the first time animals evolved hard external parts. For the first time there was evidence of active predation, with both hunters and hunted rapidly developing both armaments and defences. And in this short space of time -- the blink of an eye, in geological terms -- the number of different classifications of animals, or phyla, mushroomed from three to thirty-eight, the number we still have today.
The 'when' and the 'what' of this extraordinary event, known as the 'Cambrian Explosion', have been known for some years and were made famous in Stephen Jay Gould's bestselling book WONDERFUL LIFE. What has until now been speculation is the 'why'. Andrew Parker's astounding explanation, which is becoming increasingly influential and accepted, is fully explored and described in this groundbreaking book. A scientific detective story which encompasses disciplines as diverse as biology, history, geology and art, IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE is destined to become a popular-science classic.

Détails bibliographiques

Titre : In the Blink of an Eye: The Cause of the ...
Éditeur : Simon and Schuster, London, England
Date d'édition : 2003
Reliure : Soft cover
Etat : Very Good
Etat de la jaquette : Not Applicable
Edition : First Edition