La dramática historia de la vida y la evolución en un continente que sigue ejerciendo enorme influencia en el resto del planeta. Tim Flannery narra la historia de la vida en Europa utilizando la misma combinación de prosa elegante y solvencia científica que le ha otorgado el reconocimiento de cientos de miles de lectores en el mundo. La historia de Europa empezó hace cien millones de años, con la formación de un archipiélago que más tarde se convertiría en continente. A lo largo de este libro, veremos desaparecer a unas especies, mientras que otras superarán el impacto del asteroide que eliminó a los dinosaurios. Nuestra propia especie entrará en escena, y con ella el efecto que hemos tenido en flora y fauna. Más tarde, veremos los avances en edición genética que persiguen recrear algunas de las criaturas perdidas del continente.
Tim Flannery is a prolific, versatile, and renowned scientist with experience in mammalogy, paleontology and environmental science. Sir David Attenborough described him as being «in the league of all-time great explorers.» He is also a devoted global warming activist and served as the Chief Commissioner of the Climate Commission, a Federal Government body providing information on climate change to the Australian public. Flannery is credited with discovering «more species than Darwin» (Redmond O'Hanlon) and was awarded the 2010 Joseph Leidy Award from the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia. He is especially equipped to discuss the evolutionary and ecological history of our planet. Flannery’s previous two definitive ecological histories— The Future Eaters , about Australia, and The Eternal Frontier , which covered North America—were published to rave reviews. Flannery’s 2007 book The Weather Makers was a #1 international bestseller, was named an ALA Notable Book of the Year, and has over 150,000 copies in print. In addition to covering the ecological history of Europe, Europe: A Natural History also discusses some of the most recent, groundbreaking developments in gene editing technology and considers the possible impact of these tools on our society and our planet.