Geoscience
Last updated: May 03, 2023
Geoscience is an umbrella term that describes the work done across multiple scientific fields on the current state and History of our planet, the Earth. Here experts recommend their best books on geoscience.
Among others topics in geoscience our experts choose books that explore the history and evolution of our home planet, the mysteries of life below its surface, as well as the secrets that lie beneath volcanoes, with Simon Winchester and David Pyle.
As recommended by several of our interviewees, why not start with a fictional account of what's going on deep within our planet, with Jules Verne's Journey to the Center of the Earth?
The best books on Ice, recommended by Mark Serreze
Ice and humanity have always been close partners, says Mark Serreze, director of the US National Snow and Ice Data Center. But this relationship is changing fast as polar ice melts. Here he selects five books that fed his fascination.
-
1
The Planet in a Pebble: A journey into Earth's deep history
by Jan Zalasiewicz -
2
Life on a Young Planet: The First Three Billion Years of Evolution on Earth
by Andrew H Knoll -
3
The Emerald Planet
by D J Beerling -
4
Gaining Ground
by Jennifer Clack -
5
The Cradle of Humanity: How the changing landscape of Africa made us so smart
by Mark Maslin
The best books on Evolution of the Earth, recommended by Andrew Scott
The best books on Evolution of the Earth, recommended by Andrew Scott
How has the Earth changed over time and what role has fire played in those changes? A leading geologist, Andrew Scott, identifies key stages and books to help understand them
The best books on Volcanoes, recommended by David Pyle
Volcanoes not only play a vital role in the Earth’s ecosystem but have fascinated us down the ages. Oxford University volcanologist David Pyle recommends some of his favourite books about volcanoes.
The best books on Life Below the Surface of the Earth, recommended by Tullis Onstott
The ‘subterranaut’ describes how the discovery of ancient bacteria miles beneath the Earth’s surface opens the possibility of finding life on Mars. He picks five books that show how our knowledge of life deep in this planet could lead us to discover it elsewhere.
The best books on Volcanoes, recommended by Simon Winchester
The respected author and veteran journalist gives illuminating interview on volcanic eruptions. Discusses wonderful literary works from authors including Jules Vernes, Edward Lytton and Paddy Leigh Fermor
The best books on Earth History, recommended by Adam Maloof
Just as no one can study political science without a basic understanding of human history, or study a modern animal without a basic understanding of evolution, so no one can understand climate change without understanding the Earth’s history, argues the Princeton geology professor.