Originally broadcast on the BBC (under the title The Power of the Planet), this five-part series isn't a biography of life on Earth like Planet Earth, but rather a lavish survey of our planet's geological history, with four of the episodes devoted to the vital forces—atmosphere, oceans, volcanoes, and ice—that have shaped Earth over the course of 4.5 billion years. Delivering a wealth of fascinating information in a thick Scottish brogue, Dr. Iain Stewart seems born to host and narrate this series, bringing eloquent expertise and infectious enthusiasm to the globe-spanning material, which features a breathtaking abundance of spectacular scenery and informative computer animation. In each episode, Stewart joins other researchers on jaw-dropping journeys to exotic, geologically intriguing locations, including a lake of volcanic lava in Ethiopia and the underside of a moving glacier in Greenland, among other unforgettable sights (especially in the eye-popping Blu-ray version). The fifth and final episode, “Rare Planet,” focuses on current and future conditions that will drastically affect life on Earth, reminding us that while the Earth itself will be a survivor, people living in the Anthropocene epoch (the name some scientists give to the current age of humankind) should worry about the role we play in maintaining the delicate balance of life on Earth. Enlightening, entertaining, and visually impressive, Earth: The Biography is highly recommended. Aud: J, H, C, P. (J. Shannon)
Earth: The Biography
(2007) 2 discs. 230 min. DVD: $29.98, Blu-ray: $39.99. BBC Video (avail. from most distributors). ISBN: 1-4198-6992-2 (dvd), 1-4198-6991-4 (blu-ray). Volume 23, Issue 6
Earth: The Biography
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