T. rex and the crater of doom
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Publisher:
Varies, see individual formats and editions
Pub. Date:
Varies, see individual formats and editions
Language:
English
Lexile measure:
1380L
Description
"One of New York Times Notable Books for 1997" Walter Alvarez is professor of geology at the University of California, Berkeley. Sixty-five million years ago, a comet or asteroid larger than Mount Everest slammed into the Earth, inducing an explosion equivalent to the detonation of a hundred million hydrogen bombs. Vaporized detritus blasted through the atmosphere upon impact, falling back to Earth around the globe. Disastrous environmental consequences ensued: a giant tsunami, continent-scale wildfires, darkness, and cold, followed by sweltering greenhouse heat. When conditions returned to normal, half the plant and animal genera on Earth had perished. This horrific chain of events is now widely accepted as the solution to a great scientific mystery: what caused the extinction of the dinosaurs? Walter Alvarez, one of the Berkeley scientists who discovered evidence of the impact, tells the story behind the development of the initially controversial theory. It is a saga of high adventure in remote locations, of arduous data collection and intellectual struggle, of long periods of frustration ended by sudden breakthroughs, of friendships made and lost, and of the exhilaration of discovery that forever altered our understanding of Earth's geological history. "[D]eft and readable . . . T. rex and the Crater of Doom gets the facts across in a lighthearted, almost playful manner. But it's also solid science, a clear and efficient exposition that conveys plenty of cogent detail while keeping an eye on the subtle interplay of thought, action, and personality that makes scientific research such arresting human behavior. . . . [An] estimable account from the world's leading authority on death from above."---Timothy Ferris, New York Times Book Review "A geologist (who happens to be a kind of working philosopher) gives a deft, readable explanation of the extinction of the dinosaurs." "The book is very well written and so engrossing that a reader with little or no background in the earth's geologic history will enjoy an easy and vastly entertaining summary of how we came to our present understanding of the past. It is a wonderful adventure in science."---Dale Russell, The Los Angeles Times Book Review "An unfolding story told by its leading protagonist. . . . Very clearly and entertainingly written, and illustrated with fascinating colour plates, it is accessible even to nonspecialists."---Arthur C. Clarke, The Times Higher Education Supplement "A fascinating proof of a once ridiculed theory. In fitting together the puzzle of dino demise, Alvarez excitingly shapes the story for the widest audience." "Every library with geology holdings will want to have this book. . . . Alvarez offers a great detective story. . . ." "A first-rate, swiftly paced tale of how science can propel its participants down avenues of surprising discovery to breathtaking conclusions."---Charles Petit, San Francisco Examiner & Chronicle "This personal account of the search for a geological Excalibur makes fascinating reading. . . . [It] reads like Arthurian legend, full of temptations which lead the hero astray and distract him and his followers from the true path."---Douglas Palmer, New Scientist "Alvarez's book recounts this scientific detective story in an authoritative yet consistently engaging manner. Once considered absurd, the idea that extraterrestrial factors were involved in some of the great crises in the history of life has become widely accepted."---Hans-Dieter Sues, Toronto Globe and Mail "A nicely told and well-written tale of scientific discovery." "Appealing and accessible, an excellent introduction to the subject." "Reading Alvarez's book is a bit like reading a letter from an old friend you haven't seen for 30 years. . . . Serious passages are offset by cheeky commentary and humble asides that keep the book from becoming overly solemn or preachy."---Rachel Berstein, Berkeley Science Review "If you love mysteries and enjoy science, this is a won
More Details
Contributors:
ISBN:
9780375702105
9781400847402
9780691016306
9781977367563
9781400847402
9780691016306
9781977367563
Accelerated Reader:
UG
Level 11, 10 Points
Level 11, 10 Points
Lexile measure:
1380L
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Grouping Information
Grouped Work ID | 8a72ebb4-9c17-0a7c-3821-43e43c94c37a |
---|---|
Grouping Title | t rex and the crater of doom |
Grouping Author | walter alvarez |
Grouping Category | book |
Grouping Language | English (eng) |
Last Grouping Update | 2024-04-30 04:16:43AM |
Last Indexed | 2024-05-04 22:22:07PM |
Solr Fields
accelerated_reader_interest_level
UG
accelerated_reader_point_value
10
accelerated_reader_reading_level
11
auth_author2
Richards, Joel
author
Alvarez, Walter, 1940-
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Richards, Joel,reader
hoopla digital
hoopla digital
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Alvarez, Walter
display_description
"One of New York Times Notable Books for 1997" Walter Alvarez is professor of geology at the University of California, Berkeley. Sixty-five million years ago, a comet or asteroid larger than Mount Everest slammed into the Earth, inducing an explosion equivalent to the detonation of a hundred million hydrogen bombs. Vaporized detritus blasted through the atmosphere upon impact, falling back to Earth around the globe. Disastrous environmental consequences ensued: a giant tsunami, continent-scale wildfires, darkness, and cold, followed by sweltering greenhouse heat. When conditions returned to normal, half the plant and animal genera on Earth had perished. This horrific chain of events is now widely accepted as the solution to a great scientific mystery: what caused the extinction of the dinosaurs? Walter Alvarez, one of the Berkeley scientists who discovered evidence of the impact, tells the story behind the development of the initially controversial theory. It is a saga of high adventure in remote locations, of arduous data collection and intellectual struggle, of long periods of frustration ended by sudden breakthroughs, of friendships made and lost, and of the exhilaration of discovery that forever altered our understanding of Earth's geological history. "[D]eft and readable . . . T. rex and the Crater of Doom gets the facts across in a lighthearted, almost playful manner. But it's also solid science, a clear and efficient exposition that conveys plenty of cogent detail while keeping an eye on the subtle interplay of thought, action, and personality that makes scientific research such arresting human behavior. . . . [An] estimable account from the world's leading authority on death from above."---Timothy Ferris, New York Times Book Review "A geologist (who happens to be a kind of working philosopher) gives a deft, readable explanation of the extinction of the dinosaurs." "The book is very well written and so engrossing that a reader with little or no background in the earth's geologic history will enjoy an easy and vastly entertaining summary of how we came to our present understanding of the past. It is a wonderful adventure in science."---Dale Russell, The Los Angeles Times Book Review "An unfolding story told by its leading protagonist. . . . Very clearly and entertainingly written, and illustrated with fascinating colour plates, it is accessible even to nonspecialists."---Arthur C. Clarke, The Times Higher Education Supplement "A fascinating proof of a once ridiculed theory. In fitting together the puzzle of dino demise, Alvarez excitingly shapes the story for the widest audience." "Every library with geology holdings will want to have this book. . . . Alvarez offers a great detective story. . . ." "A first-rate, swiftly paced tale of how science can propel its participants down avenues of surprising discovery to breathtaking conclusions."---Charles Petit, San Francisco Examiner & Chronicle "This personal account of the search for a geological Excalibur makes fascinating reading. . . . [It] reads like Arthurian legend, full of temptations which lead the hero astray and distract him and his followers from the true path."---Douglas Palmer, New Scientist "Alvarez's book recounts this scientific detective story in an authoritative yet consistently engaging manner. Once considered absurd, the idea that extraterrestrial factors were involved in some of the great crises in the history of life has become widely accepted."---Hans-Dieter Sues, Toronto Globe and Mail "A nicely told and well-written tale of scientific discovery." "Appealing and accessible, an excellent introduction to the subject." "Reading Alvarez's book is a bit like reading a letter from an old friend you haven't seen for 30 years. . . . Serious passages are offset by cheeky commentary and humble asides that keep the book from becoming overly solemn or preachy."---Rachel Berstein, Berkeley Science Review "If you love mysteries and enjoy science, this is a won
format_category_eh
Audio Books
Books
eBook
Books
eBook
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Book
eAudiobook
eBook
eAudiobook
eBook
id
8a72ebb4-9c17-0a7c-3821-43e43c94c37a
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9780375702105
9780691016306
9781400847402
9781977367563
9780691016306
9781400847402
9781977367563
itype_eh
ADULT BOOK
last_indexed
2024-05-05T04:22:07.447Z
lexile_score
1380
literary_form
Non Fiction
literary_form_full
Non Fiction
primary_isbn
9780375702105
publishDate
1997
1998
2013
2020
1998
2013
2020
publisher
Princeton University Press
Tantor Media, Inc
Vintage Books
Tantor Media, Inc
Vintage Books
recordtype
grouped_work
series
Princeton Science Library
series_with_volume
Princeton Science Library|
subject_facet
Catastrophes (Geology)
Chicxulub Crater
Cryptoexplosion structures -- Mexico -- Campeche, Bay of, Region
Electronic books
Extinction (Biology)
Geology
Paleontology
Science
Chicxulub Crater
Cryptoexplosion structures -- Mexico -- Campeche, Bay of, Region
Electronic books
Extinction (Biology)
Geology
Paleontology
Science
title_display
T. rex and the crater of doom
title_full
T. Rex and the Crater of Doom [electronic resource] / Walter Alvarez
T. rex and the crater of doom / Walter Alvarez
T. rex and the crater of doom / Walter Alvarez
title_short
T. rex and the crater of doom
topic_facet
Catastrophes (Geology)
Cryptoexplosion structures
Electronic books
Extinction (Biology)
Geology
Paleontology
Science
Cryptoexplosion structures
Electronic books
Extinction (Biology)
Geology
Paleontology
Science
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hoopla:MWT12624170 | Online Hoopla Collection | Online Hoopla | eAudiobook | Audio Books | 1 | false | true | Hoopla | https://www.hoopladigital.com/title/12624170?utm_source=MARC&Lid=hh4435 | Available Online | |||
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record_details
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