Becoming Earth by Ferris Jabr

The New York Times BestsellerA radically thought-provoking account of a major shift in how we understand our Earth, not simply as an inanimate planet on which life evolved, but rather as a planet that came to life. ‘Full of conceptual twists and wonderful character’ - Ed Yong, author of An Immense World'Poetic . .

. engaging . .

. lucid' - The Times Literary SupplementThe notion of a living world is one of humanity’s oldest beliefs. Though once scorned by many scientists, the concept of Earth as a vast interconnected living system has gained acceptance in recent decades.

Life not only adapts to its surroundings – it also shapes them in dramatic and enduring ways. Over billions of years, life transformed a lump of orbiting rock into our cosmic oasis, breathing oxygen into the atmosphere, concocting the modern oceans, and turning rock into fertile soil. Life is intertwined with Earth’s capacity to regulate its climate and maintain balance.

Through compelling narrative, evocative descriptions and lucid explanations, Becoming Earth shows us how Earth became the world we’ve known, how it is rapidly becoming a very different world, and how we will determine what kind of Earth our descendants inherit for millennia to come. 'Wide-ranging and thought-provoking' - The Guardian'A compelling account of interconnectedness' - New Scientist

Format:Paperback / softback 304 pages
Publisher:Pan Macmillan
Imprint:Picador
ISBN:9781529038200
Published:12 Jun 2025
Classifications:Biophysics, Ecological science, the Biosphere, The environment, The Earth: natural history general
Weight:236g
Dimensions:198 x 132 x 20 (mm)