Description
Book SynopsisTraining a powerful lens on the microscopic wonders of the universe, hundreds of photos, both exquisite and strange, accompany this startling exposé of a secret world invisibly evolving around us for billions of years. Silver Winner of the 2021 IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award for Nature & EnvironmentMicrofossilsthe most abundant, ancient, and easily accessible of Earth's fossilsare also the most important. Their ubiquity is such that every person on the planet touches or uses them every single day, and yet few of us even realize they exist. Despite being the sole witnesses of 3 billion years of evolutionary history, these diminutive fungi, plants, and animals are themselves invisible to the eye. In this microscopic bestiary, prominent geologist, paleontologist, and scholar Patrick De Wever lifts the veil on their mysterious world. Marvelous Microfossils lays out the basics of what microfossils are before moving on to the history, tools, and methods of investigating them. The author de
Trade ReviewEnhanced by sumptuous images,
Marvelous Microfossils reveals microfossils' amazing forms and fascinating architecture. Readers will be easily hypnotized by their patterns, their rhythms, their symmetries . . . a delight for the eyes, this book is also notable for its scientific intelligibility. The author is able to render his interest and the complexity of an invisible and inert world with a sharp literary pen, clear text, and simple and effective examples and organization.
—Rémi Luglia, President, Société Nationale de Protection de la Nature
Initially an emotional thunderbolt for geologist and micropaleontologist Patrick De Wever, microfossils became the object of his research for decades. Sharing this feeling was his motivation to devote a book to the topic. To say the least, this book perfectly fulfills that function!
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La RechercheThis book will make history! It is the fruit of a whole life's work dedicated to the study of microfossils. The author combines his qualities as a scientist with a great knowledge of the literature. His wish, to inspire us to look for the beauties hidden in stone, is fully realized in this beautiful and successful work!
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A Fond la ScienceTable of ContentsPreface
Introduction
A Marvelous Microscopic World
What Is a Microfossil?
Why Study Microfossils
Part A: The Study of Microfossils
Part B: Microfossils through the Geologic Ages
Part C: The Diversity of Microfossils
Part D: Architects, Builders, and Markers of Time
