Global Catastrophes: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) - Softcover

McGuire, Bill

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0192804936 ISBN 13: 9780192804938

Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA, 2009

Synopsis

Life on earth will come to an end. It's just a matter of when. Global Catastrophes: A Very Short Introduction focuses on the many potential catastrophes facing our planet and our species in the future, and looks at both the probability of these events happening and our chances of survival.

Coverage extends from discussion of the likely consequences of the current global warming to the inevitable destruction of the earth in the far future, when it is enveloped by our giant, bloated sun. In between, other 'end of the world scenarios' will be examined, including the New Ice Age, asteroid and comet impact, supervolcanoes, and mega-tsunami.

About this title

Review:

Review from previous edition A very enjoyable if somewhat frightening read (Latest Homes 14/05/2002)

This book is racy, pacy, opinionated, sassy and fun [...] an ideal holiday read, in fact (Geoscientist)

each chapter does cover the current state of knowledge with impressive thoroughness, often backed by striking facts and figures (New Scientist 13/04/2002)

I would heartily recommend Bill McGuire's potted history of the Earth and its many mechanicanisms of destruction (www.bluegreenearth.com 16/04/2002)

The book is pacy and terrifying (Literary Review 01/04/2002)

a convincing, gripping and, at times. terrifying, case (TNT Magazine 18/03/02)

If you like self mutilation, this book will make a humorous light read at bedtime (Front Magazine, 01/04/2002)

About the Author:

Bill McGuire is Benfield Professor of Geophysical Hazards at University College London, Director of the University's Benfield Hazard Research Centre, and a member of the Natural Hazard Working Group, established by the UK government in the wake of the Asian tsunami disaster.

A volcanologist by training and inclination, he has published over three hundred papers, books and articles on volcanoes and other natural hazards. Bill regularly contributes to newspapers, television and radio, and his popular science books include Volcanoes of the World, Apocalypse: A Natural History of Global Disasters, Raging Planet: The Tectonic Threat to Life on Earth, and Surviving Armageddon: Solutions for a Threatened Planet.

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0192804936
• ISBN 13: 9780192804938
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 152