Renowned natural history author, Marianne Taylor, reveals mysteries of the ancient Earth, from the origins of life to the reign of the dinosaurs and the ice age, in a fascinating 3.8 billion year history.

This beautiful, full-color hardback guide explores the diversity of life on Earth in the time before humans came to dominate the planet. Learn how species rose, fell, and evolved as they adapted to a changing climate and the varied ecosystems that arose. Discover the five mass extinction events and how life rose again despite the challenges. Explore the majesty of the dinosaurs and the fascinating ancestors of the many animals that we know and love today.

Includes:
- Paleozoic: marine life, the first plants, coral reefs, trilobites
- Mesozoic: dinosaurs and other reptiles, the first birds, the breakup of Pangaea
>The text is brought to life by superb full-color photos, charts, maps and infographics to reveal the early history of the planet in all its splendor. A fascinating guide to the world which can be enjoyed by the whole family.

ABOUT THE SERIES: Sirius' Discovering... series brings together spectacular hardback guides which explore the science behind our world, brought to life by eye-catching photography.

Marianne Taylor has a BSc in Psychology from Sheffield University and worked in publishing for several years before following her passion for natural history and starting to write about it. Today she is a naturalist, photographer and illustrator, and the author of more than 30 books on natural history, including The Story of Life in 101/2 Chapters, The Way of the Hare, Tracking the Highland Tiger, RSPB British Birds of Prey, The Gull Next Door: A Portrait of a Misunderstood Bird, How Birds Work, RSPB British Naturefinder, RSPB British Birdfinder, The Nature Book, RSPB Seabirds, Dragonflight: In Search of Britain's Dragonflies and Damselflies, How Insects Work, Owls, RSPB Nature Watch, How Birds Live Together, Watching Wildlife in London, Wild Coast. She is the author of Discovering the Animal Kingdom for Arcturus.