The Story of Earth & Life is a well illustrated and useful introduction to geology from what is subtitled A Southern African Perspective on a 4.6-Billion-Year Journey. It is particularly refreshing to read such a Gondwanan view, even if the region's stratigraphic rock record is rather patchy. The lavish use of colour throughout has allowed the several academic authors, from the School of Geosciences in the University of the Witwatersrand, the luxury of reproducing an array of excellent field photos and many other illustrations that greatly enhance the value of this book, especially for students.

The focus is mostly on the major events and geological processes that have constructed the southernmost part of the African continent. Inevitably, there is considerable emphasis on the great ‘depth’ of the Archaean and Proterozoic rock record in the region and the early formation of one of the best-known cratons in the world. This complex story is greatly helped by the use of colour maps, block diagrams and cross-sections. Overall they provide a really good example for anyone wanting to introduce an understanding of such ancient rocks to students.

The formation and subsequent breakup of Gondwana also forms a significant section of the book and it is here, in particular, that we get the southern hemisphere perspective of earth history that is so useful for those of us whose geological education has been skewed by a European or Laurentian perspective. Perhaps, with the relative lack of Lower Palaeozoic strata in the region, it is not surprising that Lower Palaeozoic life gets fairly short shrift but I am surprised that the Ordovician Soom Shale and its remarkable fossils do not get a passing mention. Needless to say, the Karoo Supergroup with its amazing array of fossils, both plants and animals, does get a good ‘outing’.

Cenozoic uplift has played a major role in the formation of the present landscape and has impacted upon mammalian evolution and especially our own story. I am glad to see that southern Africa's important role in hominid evolution is suitably acknowledged with a whole chapter is devoted to it.

Finally, the huge economic importance of the geology is particularly well dealt with at appropriate points within the story. Overall, this ‘southern African perspective’ on the geological story of Earth and its life would be a valuable addition to any departmental library for both students and those who teach them.

A useful glossary, suggested further reading and index complete the work.