In Mysteries of Terra Firma, James Lawrence Powell tells an engrossing three-part tale of how we came to understand the ground on which we walk, and how that ground holds the key to the greatest secrets of deep space and time. Naming his profound stories Time, Drift, and Chance, he tells of the three twentieth-century revolutions in thought that created the amazing science of Earth -- and of all planets to the edge of the universe. The riddle that drove the first revolution is obvious and yet in 1904 remained impenetrable: how old is Earth? An encounter between the imperious Lord Kelvin and a New Zealand farm-boy-turned-physicist, Ernest Rutherford, set the stage for the solution and launched a golden century of geology. As a result, scientists learned that if the 4.5 billion years of geologic time were compressed into a single twenty-four-hour period, Homo sapiens would have arrived only in the last second. The geological Revolution of Time reveals how long the ground on which we walk has existed, and how briefly we have trod that ground. In the early twentieth century, German meteorologist and polar explorer Alfred Wegener proposed a counterintuitive, heretical theory: that terra firma is not so firm; instead of being fixed in place, continents drift. In 1926, petroleum geologists convened in New York City to discuss Wegener's radical idea, where it was met with outrage and skepticism: "If we are to believe Wegener's hypothesis we must forget everything which has been learned in the last seventy years and start all over again," one attendee said. Forty years later, a new generation did exactly that. The Revolution of Drift, the second part of Powell's narrative, showed us how the ground on which we walk moves. Throughout geologic time, meteorites have incessantly bombarded everything in the solar system. Far from serene and predictable, the planets are ruled by random violence on an unimaginable scale. Once a mountain-sized meteorite flew through space, struck the Earth, killed the dinosaurs and two-thirds of all species, and spared the small hamster-sized creature that happened to be our ancestor. The chance of that happening again is essentially zero. So, the final revolution in Powell's history of a golden century of geology is the Revolution of Chance. Simply put, this revolution in thought has transformed our understanding of how lucky we really are. If we can learn so much from considering no more than the rocks beneath our feet, what will we learn when we begin walking on other planets? Mysteries of Terra Firma is both charming in its storytelling and staggering in its implications. Discovering the ground on which we stand is a fascinating journey into our past -- and our future.

One of the world’s most beloved and bestselling writers takes his ultimate journey -- into the most intriguing and intractable questions that science seeks to answer. In A Walk in the Woods, Bill Bryson trekked the Appalachian Trail -- well, most of it. In In A Sunburned Country, he confronted some of the most lethal wildlife Australia has to offer. Now, in his biggest book, he confronts his greatest challenge: to understand -- and, if possible, answer -- the oldest, biggest questions we have posed about the universe and ourselves. Taking as territory everything from the Big Bang to the rise of civilization, Bryson seeks to understand how we got from there being nothing at all to there being us. To that end, he has attached himself to a host of the world’s most advanced (and often obsessed) archaeologists, anthropologists, and mathematicians, travelling to their offices, laboratories, and field camps. He has read (or tried to read) their books, pestered them with questions, apprenticed himself to their powerful minds. A Short History of Nearly Everything is the record of this quest, and it is a sometimes profound, sometimes funny, and always supremely clear and entertaining adventure in the realms of human knowledge, as only Bill Bryson can render it. Science has never been more involving or entertaining.

Includes bibliographical references and index

This unique edition of carefully collected detective mysteries has been formatted to the highest digital standards and adjusted for readability on all devices. That Affair Next Door Lost Man's Lane The Circular Study The Leavenworth Case A Strange Disappearance X Y Z: A Detective Story Hand and Ring The Mill Mystery The Forsaken Inn Cynthia Wakeham's Money Agatha Webb One of My Sons The Filigree Ball The Millionaire Baby The Chief Legatee' The Woman in the Alcove The Mayor's Wife The House of the Whispering Pines Three Thousand Dollars Initials Only Dark Hollow The Mystery of the Hasty Arrow The Old Stone House and Other Stories A Memorable Night The Black Cross A Mysterious Case Shall He Wed Her? A Difficult Problem The Gray Madam The Bronze Hand Midnight in Beauchamp Row The Staircase at the Hearts Delight The Hermit of ——— Street Room Number 3 The Ruby and the Caldron The Little Steel Coils The Amethyst Box The Thief The House in the Mist The Golden Slipper The Second Bullet An Intangible Clue The Grotto Spectre The Dreaming Lady The House of Clocks The Doctor, His Wife, and The Clock Missing: Page Thirteen ... Anna Katharine Green (1846-1935) was an American poet and novelist. Green has been called "the mother of the detective novel". Her main character was detective Ebenezer Gryce of the New York Metropolitan Police Force, but in three novels he is assisted by the nosy society spinster Amelia Butterworth, the prototype for Miss Marple. She also invented the 'girl detective': in the character of Violet Strange, a debutante with a secret life as a sleuth. Indeed, as journalist Kathy Hickman writes, Green "stamped the mystery genre with the distinctive features that would influence writers from Agatha Christie and Conan Doyle to contemporary authors of suspenseful "whodunits". She was one of the first writers of detective fiction in America and distinguished herself by writing well plotted, legally accurate stories.

In honor of the 70th birthday of Professor Douglas G. Greene, mystery genre scholar and publisher, this book offers 24 new essays and two reprinted classics on detective fiction by contributors around the world, including ten Edgar (Mystery Writers of America) winners and nominees. The essays cover a myriad of authors and books from more than a century, from J.S. Fletcher's The Investigators, originally serialized in 1901, to P.D. James' Death Comes to Pemberley, published at the end of 2011. Subjects covered include detective fiction in the Edwardian era and the "Golden Age" between the two world wars; hard-boiled detective fiction; mysteries and intellectuals; and pastiches, short stories and radio plays.

Anna Katharine Green's 'Amelia Butterworth Mysteries' collection, composed of 'That Affair Next Door', 'Lost Man's Lane: A Second Episode in the Life of Amelia Butterworth', and 'The Circular Study', is a literary treasure trove for mystery enthusiasts. Green's engaging writing style, filled with suspense and intricate plot twists, sets the tone for these captivating novels within the detective fiction genre. The stories are set in the late 19th century, offering readers a glimpse into the social and cultural norms of the time while providing an entertaining mystery-solving experience. Green's skillful storytelling and attention to detail make these novels a delightful read for fans of classic detective fiction. Anna Katharine Green, often referred to as the 'Mother of the Detective Novel', drew inspiration from her deep interest in criminal psychology and her own experiences working as a court stenographer. Her passion for mystery writing shines through in the rich character development and suspenseful narratives present in the Amelia Butterworth Mysteries. With its gripping plotlines and engaging characters, Green's collection is a must-read for anyone looking for a thrilling journey into the world of Victorian-era detective fiction.

The 'BRITISH MURDER MYSTERIES Boxed Set' encompasses an illustrious collection that transcends the mere confines of thriller classics, detective novels, and true crime stories, presenting readers with a panorama of literary artistry. From the fog-laden streets of Victorian London to the intricate puzzles of the early twentieth century, this anthology showcases a diverse range of storytelling techniques, narrative structures, and ingenious plot developments that have shaped and defined the genre. The inclusion of standout pieces from renowned figures adds depth, ensuring the collections place within the broader literary context of mystery and detective fiction. The anthology not merely entertains but serves as a testament to the evolution of the mystery genre. The contributing authors, including luminaries such as Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, and Wilkie Collins, among others, collectively offer a rich tapestry of cultural and historical perspectives. Their individual and joint contributions illuminate the myriad ways in which the mystery genre has encapsulated societal anxieties, moral dilemmas, and the quintessential human quest for justice and truth. The backgrounds of these authors, spanning different epochs and socio-political milieu, reflect the evolution of detective fiction in response to changing societal norms and literary tastes, aligning the collection with significant cultural and literary movements. This anthology is an indispensable treasure for aficionados of the mystery genre, educators seeking to broaden their curriculum, and anyone with an interest in the intersection between crime, society, and literature. The 'BRITISH MURDER MYSTERIES Boxed Set' offers an unparalleled opportunity to engage with the works of some of the most influential figures in detective literature. It invites readers to embark on a labyrinthine journey through the hallmarks of suspense and intrigue, providing a unique lens through which to explore the complexities of human nature and the perennial allure of the mysterious.