FOWLER, C. M. R., EBINGER, C. J. & HAWKESWORTH, C. J. (eds) 2002. The Early Earth: Physical, Chemical and Biological Development. Geological Society Special Publication no. 199. viii + 360 pp. London, Bath: Geological Society of London. Price £85.00, US $142.00; members' price £42.50, US $71.00; AAPG members' price £51.00, US $85.00 (hard covers). ISBN 1 86239 109 2

Abstract

This book contains a collection of papers that consider various aspects of the Hadean, Archaean and Proterozoic Earth. The book arose from a discussion meeting in February 2000, sponsored by the Royal Astronomical Society and the Geological Society of London. It is the newest addition to a collection of periodically appearing books that attempt to present the latest views on the early history of the Earth. As stated in the preface to the book, ‘much of the character of the Archaean is still unknown’, and this book is a valuable contribution for two reasons: it’s the most recent book on the subject, and it includes papers which address the Earth’s biological and atmospheric development as well as its geological development. Having said that, the book also has two downsides: firstly, it necessarily consists of a pot pourri of papers, and secondly it is affected by the same affliction that affects all …