SKU: 39657104789

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

Sale price$38.24 Regular price$42.49
Save 10%

Pay in installments of $10.62 with ShopPay, AfterPay and Klarna

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Jul 16 - Jul 21

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

Description

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
Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 39657104789

Discover Niche Categories That Outsell

Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

4.1 ★★★★★
Based on 30 reviews
Sort
Highest Rating
Newest First
Oldest First
Product Reviews
B
Verified Purchase
bratton423
Bozeman, US
★★★★★ 5
Stylish and Practical Organization!
Color: Blue, Size: Rectangle
The CASIRENA Faux Leather Valet Tray Organizer is a game-changer for staying organized in style. This catch-all tray is not just functional; it's a sleek and elegant addition to any space. Designed with a keen eye for detail, the faux leather exudes sophistication while the thoughtful compartments provide a designated spot for all your essentials – from keys to wallets. It's perfect for an entryway table or wall, offering quick access to everyday items. The attention to quality is evident in the craftsmanship. The tray is durable and well-constructed, ensuring it stands the test of time. The blend of utility and aesthetics is truly commendable. Say goodbye to misplaced keys and cluttered surfaces. The CASIRENA Valet Tray Organizer brings a touch of organization to your life while elevating your décor. It's a practical piece of art you'll wonder how you lived without.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2023
M
Verified Purchase
Makeitso
Charlottesville, US
★★★★★ 5
Neat and Square
Color: Black, Size: Square
This turned out to be durable and looks good on my valet table. The difference in the way it snaps to the sides, keeps the corners square and looks better than the other models that force the corners to extend outward.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2026
B
Verified Purchase
Burch22
New York, US
★★★★★ 5
Great Dump Tray
Color: Coffee Brown, Size: Rectangle
I’m very happy with this product! It was easy to assemble and looks great. The size is perfect for unloading my pockets each day. It looks very nice and functions perfectly. Thoroughly impressed!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2026
A
Verified Purchase
AvidReader
Alexandria, US
★★★★★ 4
4 stars
Color: Brown, Size: Rectangle
I like the tray a lot. Quality is very good. Color (Brown) is attractive. Size is perfect for my nightstand. It holds phone, remote, eyeglasses, & phone. I threaded my phone charging cord through a corner of the tray. But it slides too easily off of the nightstand. I'm going to try to find something to stop it from sliding that will stick to the underside of the tray without harming the wood surface on my cherry nightstand.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2025
K
Verified Purchase
Kathryn L Taylor
San Leandro, US
★★★★★ 5
faux leather container for men
Color: Blue, Size: Square
It's a very well made container happy with purchase
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2026

recommand products