The story of the world in 100 species

Review by Booklist Review

This title covers 100 of the most successful species in the world, from the beginnings of life to the present. Part One discusses the evolution by natural selection, before Homo sapiens, of 50 species, including viruses, sea life, and simple cells. Part Two continues the examination with 50 species developed to benefit humans through artificial selection for agriculture, for pharmacology, and as pets. Part Three looks at tables of the 100 species by ranking their overall impact on the Earth. A postscript lists 30 runner-up species. Each entry is between one and three pages long, including captioned illustrations, most in color. Back materials include Further Reading lists for each chapter. The intention is not to relate the origin of the various species but to supply information on the place of humanity in nature and the impact living things have had on evolution, each other, and the Earth. While the author has no formal background in the sciences, he has written an interesting look at evolution from a layman's perspective. This book could be useful in both high-school and public libraries.--Hoffman, Anne Copyright 2016 Booklist

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.

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Review by Publisher's Weekly Review

This whimsical, colorfully illustrated compendium of interesting, influential organisms past and present from Lloyd (What on Earth Happened?), a British former journalist, gives the impression of a children's encyclopedia of naturalism, but with in-depth information that makes it worth browsing for adults. The task of ranking species' success is rather arbitrary by nature, literally comparing not merely apples and oranges but dinosaurs and durians. Lloyd breaks it down by giving half the slots to living and extinct species whose evolution predates the dawn of agriculture, crediting them with such accomplishments as colonizing the land and sea and beginning to evolve mental skills, and the other half to those which have come to thrive in the presence of humankind, including food flora and fauna, drugs, and companion animals. If there is a problem here, it's that the lack of a formal bibliography to support the hundreds of pages of facts and a focus on older research may induce readers' skepticism about some of Lloyd's information. Nevertheless, Lloyd shares the history of each of his entrants with casual enthusiasm and a sense of wonder, in articles that stand alone well for readers interested in browsing and which together give a sense of biodiversity as a source of joy. (Oct.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

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Review by Library Journal Review

Lloyd (What on Earth Happened?) presents a fun and informative overview (originally published in the UK as What On Earth Evolved?), arranged in two sections that divide time into "Before Humans" and "After Humans." Although not for beginners, the jargon-free narrative is enjoyable to read and accompanied by bright, full-color illustrations, photographs, and relevant maps. Chapters within each of the three sections group species and introduce the rationale for the classification. The first section discusses influential species that evolved in the wild between four billion and 12,000 years ago. It begins by defining and examining viruses and then continues to the workings of such specific viruses as flu and smallpox. The second section turns to the age of humans and our influence upon other species. Each entry can stand alone, making the book ideal for browsing. The third section ranks the species by their impact on the world, using the author's own criteria: evolutionary impact, influence on human history, environmental effect, global reach, and longevity. Homo sapiens is ranked sixth, losing out to the humble earthworm in first place. VERDICT A great addition for high school students completing homework and adult general -interest.-Frances E. Millhouser, formerly of -Fairfax Cty. P.L., VA © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

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Review by Kirkus Book Review

An encyclopedic history of the emergence of life on Earth that traces the history of life from the dawn of evolution to the present day through the lens of one hundred living things that have changed the world.Lloyd (What on Earth Happened?: The Complete Story of the Planet, Life, and People from the Big Bang to the Present Day, 2008, etc.) orders species chronologically and also ranks them according to the impact that these living things have had on the path of evolution. The bookoriginally titled What on Earth Evolved? and first published in 2009 in the U.K. to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Charles Darwin's Origin of the Speciesis divided into two major sections. The first, Before Humans, from 4 billion to 12,000 years ago, deals with the the impact of species that evolved in the wilde.g., viruses, algae, trees, fish, insects, and, eventually, Homo sapiens. The second section, After Humans, spans the period from 12,000 years ago to the present day and discusses the impact of species that thrived in the presence of modern mankind. The author gives special emphasis to the role of viruses, which, through infection, caused mutations that induced critical innovations in a variety of species. He also spotlights predators such as sharks, for mastering the art of sexual reproduction 400 million years ago. The biggest evolutionary news occurred when modern humans first emerged in Africa, about 160,000 years ago. Lloyd also offers a fascinating historical sidelight on how the potyvirus, by causing the spectacular mutation of tulips, created the conditions for the first speculative boom and bust. He gives the lowly earthworm top ranking due to its crucial role in creating fertile soil, while Homo sapiens occupy the sixth position. Traditional history, writes the author, seldom considers the impact of a range of living species that have, in their own way, had a far greater impact on the planet, life and people than human contributions, such as politics, war and inventions. A good fit for middle and high school libraries as a useful reference. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

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