Book Description:
Written by a leading planetary scientist, this book tells the remarkable story of how our solar system came into existence. It provides a fast-paced, non-technical and expert tour of our new understanding of the Earth, its planetary neighbours and other planetary systems. En route we discover that chance events have shaped the course of the history of our solar system. Dramatic collisions, for example, caused the tilts and spins of the planets, the extinction of the dinosaurs and the rise of man. For all those interested in understanding our solar system and its place in the cosmos, this is a lucid and compelling read.
Review:
"Professor Stuart Taylor of the Australian National University is a planetary scientist well qualified to write on this subject, and he has produced a clear account of the complex occurrences over the past 4 to 5 billion years that have led to the formation of the Earth, Moon and planets...an easily readable account of the formation of the Solar System." Nature
"This is a book that should be read by anyone who wants to be a scientist, is a scientist, or is interested in science." Geological Magazine
"...a wonderful book....This is not just another descriptive book about the solar system, but a book that explores the implications fo that description....[It] can be profitably be read ... by anyone from motivated high school students to professional scientists." /s Lunar and Planetary Information Bulletin
"Destiny or Chance offers a friendly, informative read on the origins of our solar system, and is sure to satisfy and delight even the most inquisitive readers." Yale Scientific Magazine
" This is just a wonderful book. This is not just another descriptive book about the solar system, but a book that explores the implications of that description." Lunar and Planetary Information Bulletin
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