Extinction: Bad Genes or Bad Luck?
by David M. Raup
On This Page
Description
A look at how and why some species die out, with an emphasis on the extinction resistance of others. Though the Alvarez theory, that the demise of the dinosaurs may have been affected by a fall of meteors, is still scientifically suspect, Raup (statistical paleontology, U. of Chicago) figures he may as well be hung for a cow as for a calf, and argues that all extinction of species are at least partly caused by meteors. The thought that even the fittest of the fit can be in the wrong place at show more the wrong time, is chilling to human smugness about being the crown jewel of evolution. The writing is clear, often humorous, and suitable for the general reader who cannot remember geologic names for more than a couple pages. show lessTags
Recommendations
Member Reviews
Very well written book exploring Extinction from the 1990 standpoint.
Ratings
Members
- Recently Added By
Author Information
9+ Works 407 Members
David M. Raup is Sewell L. Avery Distinguished Professor of Geophysical Sciences Emeritus at the University of Chicago.
Common Knowledge
- Original publication date
- 1991
- People/Characters
- Luis W. Alvarez; Stephen Jay Gould
- Important events
- Extinction of the dinosaurs; Cretaceous Period; Cretaceous-Tertiary Extinction; Permian Mass Extinction
- First words
- PREFACE
This is a book about the history of life on earth: the myriad twistings and turnings that have led, somehow, to us.
INTRODUCTION
Stephen Jay Gould
Nature and the earth are traditionally personified as female; but all professions and institutions (as a commentary both on our personal need for continuity and the sexism of our so... (show all)ciety) have conventional fathers -- Washington of his country, Copernicus of modern astronomy. - Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)We don't know whether we chose a safe planet.
Classifications
Statistics
- Members
- 195
- Popularity
- 167,344
- Reviews
- 1
- Rating
- (3.79)
- Languages
- English, Italian, Korean
- Media
- Paper
- ISBNs
- 5
