The Atlas of Life on Earth offers a comprehensive, chronological survey of the Earth, its landscape and its life forms, from the beginning of the solar system 4.5 billion years ago to the present.The atlas is accessibly organized in six major parts, with 18 chapters devoted to each of the major geological periods, in which the crucial geological and biological developments in the history of our planet are described in lucid and intriguing detail. A concluding section looks at the ways in which the Earth and its biosphere continue to evolve today.

Each chapter begins with a timeline of the geological period in question and a vivid and arresting map presenting a ‘snapshot from space' of the world as it was then. These maps, together with detailed artworks (including lavish reconstructions of prehistoric landscapes), stunning photographs, and explanatory diagrams, take the reader on a fascinating, informative, and awe-inspiring journey through time.

Specially devised feature spreads illustrating graphically and elegantly the evolution and relationships of each major group of plants and animals provide the reader with an incomparable reference source. Each section of the atlas has been written by an acknowledged expert in the relevant field, ensuring clear, informed coverage of the exciting and extraordinary story of the evolution of our planet.

理查德·穆迪：英國金斯頓大學榮譽教授，在該大學講授古生物學和地層學30年，獨立及閤作齣版專著22部。25年來，他一直作為顧問受聘於石油公司，同時於1998~2000年擔任英國地質傢協會主席。

安德烈·茹拉夫列夫：俄羅斯科學院古生物研究所首席科學傢，被授予俄羅斯榮譽科學博士。茹拉夫列夫的足跡遍及西伯利亞、濛古、澳大利亞和伊朗，他係統收集瞭這些地區前寒武紀和寒武紀化石。目前，他的主要研究興趣是古生態學。

杜戈爾·迪剋遜：科普作傢，其作品傢喻戶曉。迪剋遜擁有地質學碩士學位，在廣大讀者心目中也是一位恐龍研究方麵的知名人士。他齣版瞭20多部有關恐龍的著作，其中不乏青少年喜愛的讀物。

伊恩·詹金斯：英國布裏斯托大學地球科學係古脊椎動物與比較解剖學傢，曾在南非和北美洲采集標本，並曾於1999年參與英國廣播公司《與恐龍同行》的錄製工作。