What on Earth Evolved?: 100 Species That Changed the World

Published on the 150th anniversary of On the Origin of Species, an erudite, original, and lavishly illustrated guide to the most important species in the history of the planet. In our planet’s highly competitive history, a few species have been conspicuously successful. Humankind, for one, but also ants, potatoes, tulips, and sheep. Within the stories of these influential species lies the story of life on earth. In this expansive, articulate, and insightful book, C hristopher Lloyd explores the two eras that have defined the planet—Before Man and After Man. T he former was a time of strange creatures and loose bits of genetic code, the latter a sprawling period of invention and cosmic transformation. With remarkable eloquence, Lloyd takes us through both eras, weaving in capsule biographies of the most successful species.