Preface; Part I. Prolegomena: Science and Religion: 1. Monumental scientific discoveries, units of measurement and a warning about this book; Part II. Matter and Energy: 2. Atoms and photons; 3. The atomic nucleus; Part III. Cosmology; 4. Birth of the universe; 5. Measuring the universe; 6. The objects in the sky; 7. The solar system; 8. Earth in space; Part IV. Geology: 9. Minerals and gems; 10. Igneous rocks and volcanism; 11. The earth's interior; 12. Plate tectonics; 13. The atmosphere; 14. The hydrosphere; 15. Sediments and sedimentary rocks; 16. Sedimentary environments; 17. Diagenesis, metamorphism and rock deformation; 18. Stratigraphy; Part V. Evolution of Life and Environment: 19. Origin and early evolution of life; 20. The cryptozoic: sections and taxa; 21. Early phanerozoic phyla and related taxa; 22. The paleozoic; 23. The mesozoic; 24. The cenozoic; Part VI. The Historical Perspective; Part VII. Appendixes: A. Physical and chemical data; B. Chemical formulary; Part VIII. References and Subject Index.