The Story of Earth's Climate in 25 Discoveries

In this lively and entertaining book, Donald R. Prothero explores the astonishing connections between climate and life through the ages, telling the remarkable stories of the scientists who made crucial discoveries.

Donald R. Prothero is a paleontology and geology researcher, teacher, and author. He is adjunct professor of geological sciences at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and research associate in vertebrate paleontology at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. His Columbia University Press books include The Story of the Earth in 25 Rocks: Tales of Important Geological Puzzles and the People Who Solved Them (2018), The Story of the Dinosaurs in 25 Discoveries: Amazing Fossils and the People Who Found Them (2019), and The Story of Evolution in 25 Discoveries: The Evidence and the People Who Found It (2020).

Paleontologist, Donald Prothero, takes on the hefty task of recounting how life and climate have shaped each other during Earth’s 4.5-billion-year history. The chapter on the end-Cretaceous extinction is a knockout. Prothero has a big problem with the notion that an asteroid impact was the sole cause of this mass extinction, and also with what he sees as an excessive focus on dinosaurs at the expense of other groups. The whole tone and pace shifts as Prothero moves into fifth gear and explains why it is a bit more complicated than ‘big rock hits, everything dies.’ [The book] is rich from concepts, stories and characters – and there is always another apocalypse just a few pages away.

Delegates at COP28 continue their discussions on how to limit and make preparations for future climate change. These discussions, their success or failure will have consequences for all of humanity. Decisions made today will have implications for all future generations too. The publication of a new book that documents the history of our planet’s climate and its connection to life on Earth provides context and delivers a fresh perspective.

The Story of Earth’s Climate in 25 Discoveries is written by Donald R. Prothero. He is an incredibly talented American palaeontologist and geologist with a gift for communication. As adjunct professor of geological sciences at California State Polytechnic University (Pomona, California), the author is well qualified to explain the intimate connection between climate and life on Earth. However, unlike many scientists, Donald R. Prothero’s engaging writing style permits the general reader to understand and grasp sometimes difficult concepts.

Gregory J. Retallack, author of Soil Grown Tall: The Epic Saga of Life from Earth:
With his traditional clarity, organization, and experience, Prothero takes readers through the evolution of life and climate to illustrate why we are in trouble today. The stories of the lives of scientists and how they made their discoveries are interesting reading and an essential contribution.

Bruce Lieberman, Dean’s Professor, Senior Curator in the Biodiversity Institute, and Director of the Paleontological Institute, University of Kansas:
In this enjoyable and deep account, Prothero uses fascinating lessons from geology and paleontology to explain and illustrate the important impacts that climate has had on life, and that life has had on climate in turn. The Story of Earth's Climate in 25 Discoveries is an excellent addition to the author's series on the 25 Discoveries concept.