SKU: 39657104789

The Mountains of Saint Francis: Discovering the Geologic Events That Shaped Our Earth

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The Mountains of Saint Francis: Discovering the Geologic Events That Shaped Our EarthModern geologists, Walter Alvarez among them, showed in the last decades of the twentieth century that the history of our planet has witnessed events profoundly more dramatic than even the most spectacular chapters in human history. More violent than wars, more life altering than revolutions understanding the geologic events that have shaped the Earth's surface is the quest and the passion of geologists. In the knowledgeable and graceful prose of

Modern geologists, Walter Alvarez among them, showed in the last decades of the twentieth century that the history of our planet has witnessed events profoundly more dramatic than even the most spectacular chapters in human history. More violent than wars, more life altering than revolutions--understanding the geologic events that have shaped the Earth's surface is the quest and the passion of geologists. In the knowledgeable and graceful prose of Alvarez, general readers are led to explore the many mysteries that our planet guards.

The author has chosen Italy as a microcosm in which to explore this amazing past for several reasons. First, it is the land where the earliest geologists learned how to read the history of the Earth, written in nature's rock archives. Second, it is where Alvarez and his Italian geological friends have continued to decipher the rock record, uncovering more historical episodes from the Earth's past. And third, the lovely land of Italy is unusually rich in geological treasures and offers examples of the key processes that have created the landscapes of the entire world.

The Mountains of Saint Francis begins in Rome. We discover that the landscape of Rome was built by violent volcanic eruptions in the very recent past, almost certainly witnessed by our human ancestors. Next we travel to Siena and come face to face with a fundamental discovery of the geologists--that much of the dry land that we currently inhabit was once underwater, beneath ancient seas or oceans. Then we stop in the small medieval city of Gubbio and contemplate the amazing secret that the limestone rocks kept hidden for 65 million years--that a huge asteroid smashed into the Earth, disrupting the environment so severely that the dinosaurs, and perhaps half of the other forms of life inhabiting the Earth at the time, disappeared forever, opening the way for the rise of the mammals and eventually of humans.

The impact theory that came from those Italian limestones at Gubbio was one of the great geological discoveries of the twentieth century. Just as important to the field of geology was the theory of plate tectonics--the understanding that the outer layer of the Earth is divided into crustal plates that move around, sometimes carrying continents into collisions with one another, like the great collision between Italy and Europe that built the Alps. And yet, to explain the Mountains of Saint Francis requires something more than a collision between continents. These are mountains that are still jealously guarding the secret of their past, and in this book we go along with the geological detectives as they try to uncover that secret. It is a journey that has seen the land of Italy lifted out of the sea, squashed and folded, torn apart, left high and dry when the Mediterranean Sea evaporated away, and then flooded when the Atlantic waters poured back in.

The story of the Earth's history is fascinating in its own right, but with Alvarez as the tour guide, the journey takes on a human dimension, full of stories about the landscape and history of Italy and about the great geologists who uncovered the deep past of this land. It is a journey recounted in warm tones and subtle colors, reflecting the transcendent beauty of Italy itself.



Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
Published: 12/01/2008
ISBN: 9780393061857
Pages: 304
Weight: 1.27lbs
Size: 9.28h x 6.44w x 0.98d

Review Citations: Library Journal Prepub Alert 01/14/2008 pg. 62
Publishers Weekly 05/26/2008 pg. 48
Library Journal 06/15/2008 pg. 88
Kirkus Reviews 06/15/2008 pg. 627
Booklist 07/01/2008 pg. 22
Scitech Book News 12/01/2008 pg. 56
Choice 06/01/2009
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Wallis
Fort Morgan, US
★★★★★ 5
Love it! Romance included!
Format: Kindle
Love the characters, love the world, love the series! The romance aspect turned out to be quite entertaining, definitely a slow burn, which is my favorite and the fact that the love interest is a girl has me cheering. But the story is a litrpg first and foremost and isn’t lacking on anything I look for in the genre. A lot of things about the world are completely original as well. I couldn’t put it down and read through both of the first two books in two days. To those hating on Katelin… why? I think she’s hilarious and super cute. Also, if you’re confused as to why Emma seems attracted to her even though she’s straight, that’s actually explained in the next book. Pretty clever honestly.
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Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2021
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Tom P
Battle Creek, US
★★★★★ 3
Not bad, but...
Format: Kindle
I read to 33% (my percentage point to determine if I will stick it out, unless it's terrible of course) and can say with authority that this book is ok, but not for me. There are some points that I think are worth mentioning. It is specifically mentioned that the MC has a generously proportioned bust, and that she is not wearing a sports bra. And yet her generous chest causes no difficulty in athletic action. Don't get me wrong, busty women can be very athletic, but they wear sports bras while being athletic. How do I know this as a man, simple. Generously, and not so generously, proportioned women have told me that this is important. Second: At33% she is still in the middle of her 'test', so it's a slow moving book. Third: The system interface goes from being indifferent to the MC to being willing to bend/break the the rules to aid her. Honestly, I prefer the indifferent one. It takes more than a little spunk to flip that switch. In conclusion, not for me, some significant problems, but I could see some people enjoying this. Tom out
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Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2022
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Levia
Dallas, US
★★★★★ 5
A new style LitRPG for me
Format: Kindle
I really like Emma. The attraction that is in this series so far seems blessedly not limited by gender. This starts out like a few other same genre series I've read. It is unique though in how it kicks off. The AI sidekicks do seem suspicious, but also motivated to help their charge progress. Now, if only I could travel, and survive, to a dimension or universe that changed my hair to stay the color I like that would be perfect. Fun series, well written with both mystery and challenge.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2023
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MLTU
Dallas, US
★★★★★ 5
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Format: Kindle
Oh- this was a fun one! I mean, stealing your twin's girlfriend? Come on! Doesn't that sound like a mess you wanna be in?! It was crazy, sexy, it was sweet (in a lot of ways), and it was also heartwarming. I loved it all!
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Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2025
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HCLMSL
Omaha, US
★★★★★ 4
Game On!
Format: Kindle
This was a great quick sapphic read! Not too dark so if you are new to dark romance or not sure about it then this is definitely a book worth reading! I liked the fierce authenticity of Remy. She was protective and loyal (mostly iykyk) Fauna was so sweet and kind. They had some palpable chemistry! And there’s kittens! ;)
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Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2025

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