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How the Earth Works

By: Michael E. Wysession, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Michael E. Wysession
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Publisher's Summary

How the Earth Works takes you on an astonishing journey through time and space. In 48 lectures, you will look at what went into making our planet - from the big bang, to the formation of the solar system, to the subsequent evolution of Earth. 

You will travel to the center of our planet and out again, charting the geologic forces that churn beneath our feet to push the continents and seafloor around like froth on the surface of soup. Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis are byproducts of our planet’s ceaseless activity, and you will focus on specific examples of each to learn why and when they occur. Volcanic activity has produced the atmosphere as a side effect, and you will learn how this sea of air functions at the global scale. Earth’s surface is mostly water, and you will explore the cycling of this vital substance throughout the planet, along with its role in climate, erosion, plate tectonics, and biology. 

Not only are humans at the mercy of our planet’s natural forces, but we ourselves have also become agents of change. We are altering the Earth’s land, water, and air faster than any other geologic process. This will be another theme of your journey: how humans have transformed watersheds, leveled mountains, changed the balance of gases in the atmosphere, and caused the extinction of enough species to hasten the end of the 65-million-year-old Cenozoic era. It is vitally important that we understand the nature of our geologic powers if we are to have any hope of controlling them. 

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2008 The Great Courses (P)2008 The Teaching Company, LLC

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Obsessed. My favourite audiobook

I have listened to this whole book and jump back in often. So well done. I recommend it to everyone who is even vaguely curious about the topics. I’m not someone who writes reviews but just had to for this one.

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Superb broad overview of the Earth Sciences

Engaging wide-ranging course on the physical sciences that explain why the Earth works the way it does. From its very beginning and it’s place in the universe, to Earth’s makeup and the forces that wrestle with the growth and weathering, these 48 lectures give you the tools to see the world around you in a more knowledgeable way. Dr Wysession conveys his enthusiasm effortlessly and explains complex principles in readily-digestible ways. A perfect platform to explore in greater depth any of the disciplines of geology, meteorology, physics, environmental sciences, sustainability… that were discussed in this lecture series.
Honestly I could turn around and listen to it all again, it was so densely packed with information and it’s delivery was so approachable and entertaining.

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Best great courses book EVER!!

the author does such a great job presenting his lectures in what is the most comprehensive & well explained science audio books iv listened to the past 12 years.
Than you Dr Wysessiom.

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Great

Such an easy listen! Usually things like these can be quite hard to listen to but this entertaining and very concise! I’ll be re listening for sure

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Very well done

A very informative set of lectures. The far left, woke, climate alarmists will hate it, try to have it removed and then say it is all fake because it clearly exposes what a lie catastrophic, man made climate change is.

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insightful and detailed

These really were great lectures. They spark curiosity and answer a lot of big questions but also help you organise your pre-existing knowledge in a more cohesive way. The early lectures with a lot of science required more attention and sometimes two or three listens. But the big picture lectures were for a much wider audience. Really enjoyed this series. And also the prof sounds so much like Jerry Seinfeld that I was waiting for him to make a joke about airline peanuts.

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Surprisingly excellent, informative and useful

I got this on special and thought it would possibly be dry and hard to get through. Busy it was really good, the lecturer used great examples and explained facts and concepts with clear application to life and current events. Looking forward to picking some more of these courses now. Seems a great way to get a broad and useful understanding of the suggested topic.

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For Earth Lovers

For anyone who is interested in learning more about the Earth or wants a better understanding of how we got here this a must listen. Kept me listening the whole way through.

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This will change the way you look at the Earth

I thought geology is boring. Then this audiobook happend to me. Now i love geology!

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Educational

Enjoyed it very much.
Loved the passion felt from narrating.
Well lectured
I recommend to all who are in interested to learn about the Earth

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