This book describes the history of extinctions from the beginning of our ability to be able to measure them up to the new geological age called the Anthropocene. Although it is generally accepted that there have been five mass extinction events (called the big five) the author showed how there have been other smaller extinction events but also discussed the difficulties which arise from having limited data as not all animals leave fossil records.
The book details how the ‘Earth System’ has previously slowly recovered from the mass extinctions and the upset of the Earths’ CO2/Oxygen balance which I think was described in fairly easy to understand language.
The author puts forward a hypothesis that we are currently undergoing a ‘Defaunation’ which is not just an increase in extinctions but also includes bringing several species to the brink of extinction which is something that the fossil records cannot easily document.
Overall an interesting read from a knowledgeable author who expanded my knowledge of our climate emergency and provided further information on just how far we are to the tipping point.

Extinctions is a sobering, science based, nonfiction klaxon call-to-arms by Dr. Marcia Bjornerud. Due out 16th Sept 2021 from Cambridge University Press, it's 325 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately; it makes it so easy to find information with the search function.

This is a meticulous look at the prehistoric past, recent past, present and future of extinction level events on Earth, and how they changed the course of the planet. The writing is precise and scientifically correct, but perfectly accessible and understandable, and horrifying. The author doesn't mince words at all and it's extremely distressing.

This is not a handbook about how to live a greener life and recycle our plastic. She does a good job pointing out that we're literally teetering on the knife edge and unless something is done right away on an unprecedented scale, we're going to find out exactly how long it takes to recover from a widespread extinction event (assuming humans come out the other side which is far from certain).

The book includes a bibliography arranged by chapters in alphabetical order, as well as a cross-referenced index. The main body of the work is also well annotated.

Five stars. This would make a good selection for library acquisition, as a support text for earth science and similar classroom subjects, and for fans of popular science writing.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Emotional, depressing and sobering AF. Some of this is already happening. I like there is a lot of science to back tall the observations in this book. A climatology book for sure and another warning for the planet. Again sobering AF but very relevant to everyone on the planet. Well written and current.

Recommended for those interested in climatology and those interested in mass extinctions.

Thanks to Netgalley, Michael Hannah and Cambridge University Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Available: 9/2/21

A sobering look at life on Earth and an in-depth exploration of mass extinction. We actually used this a bit in one of our homeschool units on extinction. So well written and organized. A great resource for our science and geology units. Will definitely purchase for our homeschool coop.