Under The Microscope

THE MIRACLE PLANET, by Bruce Brown and Lane Morgan; Child & Associates 1989; 258 pages; $69.95

This classic coffee-table adornment is a "book of the TV series", based on a joint KCTS (Seattle)/NHK (Japan) production of the same name.

Starting with a spectacular cover shot of a hot spring at Yellowstone National Park, the reader is offered some of the most visually impressive photographs of our planet that I have seen gathered together in one volume. It is a pity that the many artists' impressions do not rate the same degree of respect.

The written content of the book is satisfactory, providing a good general overview of the geological history of our planet. Boxed sections take detailed looks at particular issues such as plate tectonics, photosynthesis and climate change. Space is also given to less established views such as Gaia or the theory that a huge meteorite strike was behind the extinction of the dinosaurs.

As a general reference and pictorial spectacular The Miracle Planet might rate a place on your coffee table.

Cathryn Crane