History of life - Richard Cowen

The living world today contains all kinds of creatures that do unexpected things—we have come to expect that there were complex and unusual ways of life in the past, and that evolution took some unexpected turns at times. Entertainingly written for students, History of Life 3rd Edition takes you to the edge of current knowledge.

The text covers the field succinctly with the appropriate depth—for the undergraduate market

The only book on the market to cover the vertebrates in depth—the easiest group or organisms for the student to focus on

Examples are drawn from both vertebrate and invertebrate fossil record—all animal life is detailed

The careful choice of subject matter makes this book suitable for introductory courses—it covers only the key processes that have shaped the Earth

New to this edition

• Fuller coverage of invertebrates within the text and an appendix dedicated to them


• Glossary and key terms


• Updated art program


• Web site component with additional artwork, text, and discussion forums