Understanding Catastrophe : Its Impact on Life on Earth

Bourriau, Janine (editor)

ISBN 10: 0521413249 / ISBN 13: 9780521413244

Published by Cambridge Univ Press, Cambridge, UK, 1992

About this Item

No marks or inscriptions. A very clean crisp very tight copy with bright unmarked boards and no bumping to corners. Dust jacket not price clipped or marked or torn with a little indenting and minor creasing to edges. 213pp. This book examines the immense and varied impact that catastrophic change can have on the development of life on earth. It begins with a chapter on supernovae and the nature of stellar catastrophe and how evolution itself can proceed through genetic jumps. It goes on to discuss natural catastrophes such as earthquakes and cyclones and how these affect human populations. A final chapter provides some unsettling insights into our fundamental incapacity when confronted by major threats to life and health of a medical nature. We do not use stock photos, the picture displayed is of the actual book for sale. Every one of our books is in stock in the UK ready for immediate delivery. Size: 10 x 7 inches.

Seller Inventory # 005959

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Understanding Catastrophe : Its Impact on Life on Earth
• Publisher: Cambridge Univ Press, Cambridge, UK
• Publication Date: 1992
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0521413249
• ISBN 13: 9780521413244
• Binding: Hard Cover
• Edition: First Edition.
• Condition: Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good
• Seller catalogs:
  • Nature
  • Science / Engineering / Maths

About this title

Synopsis

Understanding Catastrophe examines the immense and varied impact that catastrophic change can have on the development of life on earth. Opening with a remarkable account of supernovae and the nature of stellar catastrophe, it then examines the way evolution itself can proceed through genetic jumps of catastrophic proportions. The primal forces of the earth, manifested in such natural catastrophes as earthquakes and cyclones, and the devastating impact these can have even today on human populations across the world receive extended scrutiny as does the power of famine historically in determining the future of humankind. To conclude, a fascinating final chapter on changing medical and social attitudes to epidemic diseases such as tuberculosis offers - in the age of AIDS particularly - some unsettling insights into our fundamental incapacity when confronted by major threats to life and health.

Review

'... beautifully clear and arresting trains of thought ... decisive, often novel and aware of their own ironies.' Daily Telegraph