Australia

Charming marsupials . . . ancient trees . . . spectacular landscapes. What forces of nature conspired to make Australia unique among continents? Scientists, tourists, and residents alike marvel at its surprises. Australia is Earth's time capsule, harboring geologic and biological relicts, including some of the oldest signs of life on the planet.A companion to the large-screen film of the same name, Australia: Land Beyond Time explores the continent's antiquity with more than 300 stunning color photographs of the continent and its breathtaking landforms, plants, and animals. Reg Morrison draws on the expertise of earth scientists and biologists to make sense of Australia's long history. Seventeen chapters, accompanied by timelines and maps as well as Morrison's excellent photographs, lead the reader effortlessly through Australia's four-billion-year journey. A clear presentation of the complex evolutionary processes at work on the island continent is enriched by discussions of its geography and ecology.