The Worth of Times is a book that looks to be fairly straightforward on the surface, but is actually semi-complex. Wignall's novel describes how and why cataclysms caused mass extinctions in pre-historic time. He explains how scientists use technology and ancient clues to solve the riddles surrounding mass extinctions. He mainly describes the role of volcanic activities in mass extinction events. The novel attempts to foster further understanding as to why LIPs (large igneous provinces), which can develop into volcanic provinces, were so detrimental to life before ... Continue Reading...
Review: Peak
Since his earliest memories Peak Marcello has loved rock climbing. He spends every moment he can fine tuning his skills, every summer at a climbing camp and most late nights tagging skyscrapers. When Peak is finally caught red handed climbing a skyscraper his family strikes a deal with the judge. Peak must leave New York to live with his father in Thailand or face Juvenile Detention. Unfortunately, Peak's father hasn't checked back into his son's life out of the kindness of his heart: he has a plan for Peak that will save his failing climbing business. Peak could ... Continue Reading...
Review: Never Cry Wolf
I have such a complicated opinion when it comes to Never Cry Wolf. On the one hand, Mowat changed the way people looked at the the mysterious wolf and developed the understanding that wolves are more in tune with nature than our own species seems to be. Unfortunately, Mowat goes about writing his novel in the wrong way: his tone is condescending, his stories meant to be entertaining only make him sound incapable and his constant complaining about his superiors "refusing" to help him do his job make him look rather pathetic. Regardless, Mowat's book is one of the first ... Continue Reading...
Review: How to Clone a Mammoth
I want to start noting that I generally dislike the maltreatment of animals and cruelty enacted in laboratories, so this could not be an unbiased review. How to Clone a Mammoth is about cloning and the various problems concerned with the technologies used to clone cells. Shapiro explains these problems in the most base way, only touching on much of the scientific jargon that would confuse the average reader. She also explains that cloning would not return a perfect specimen from the Ice Age as popular belief has led us to imagine. Instead, the creatures developed ... Continue Reading...