This image is the cover for the book Earth Book, Union Square & Co. Milestones

Earth Book, Union Square & Co. Milestones

A beautifully illustrated presentation of 250 milestones in the history of our home planet, from a celebrated geologist and planetary scientist.



Spanning Earth’s entire history, from its birth 4.6 billion years ago to its inevitable destruction billions of years into the future, this stunning volume chronicles the life of our home planet in 250 well-chosen milestones. Jim Bell leads us on a tour of the events, processes, people, and places that have shaped our growing knowledge of Earth, from the oceans’ formation and the first perilous polar expeditions to deadly volcanoes and Earth “selfies” from space. He covers relevant topics in a range of fields, including physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy, geology, mineralogy, planetary science, life science, public policy, atmospheric/climate science, and engineering, along with notes on key scientists and inventors. At a time when it’s crucial to understand Earth as a complex interdependent system, and our role in that system, The Earth Book will enhance your appreciation of our home.

Jim Bell

Dr. Jim Bell is a professor of geology and planetary science in Arizona State University’s School of Earth and Space Exploration in Tempe, AZ, and an adjunct professor in the Department of Astronomy at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. Jim is a member of the American Geophysical Union and the Geological Society of America. As President of The Planetary Society, he is a prolific public commentator on science and space exploration, earning the 2011 Carl Sagan Medal from the American Astronomical Society for excellence in public communication of planetary science. Jim has appeared on numerous radio and television shows, including NBC’s Today Show and PBS’s NewsHour, as well as programs on the Discovery, National Geographic, and History cable channels, and has been interviewed for several space-related documentary films. He is the author of The Ultimate Interplanetary Travel Guide, The Space Book, Mars 3-D, Moon 3-D, The Interstellar Age, and Postcards from Mars.