SKU: 39657104789

The Mountains of Saint Francis: Discovering the Geologic Events That Shaped Our Earth

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The Mountains of Saint Francis: Discovering the Geologic Events That Shaped Our EarthModern geologists, Walter Alvarez among them, showed in the last decades of the twentieth century that the history of our planet has witnessed events profoundly more dramatic than even the most spectacular chapters in human history. More violent than wars, more life altering than revolutions understanding the geologic events that have shaped the Earth's surface is the quest and the passion of geologists. In the knowledgeable and graceful prose of

Modern geologists, Walter Alvarez among them, showed in the last decades of the twentieth century that the history of our planet has witnessed events profoundly more dramatic than even the most spectacular chapters in human history. More violent than wars, more life altering than revolutions--understanding the geologic events that have shaped the Earth's surface is the quest and the passion of geologists. In the knowledgeable and graceful prose of Alvarez, general readers are led to explore the many mysteries that our planet guards.

The author has chosen Italy as a microcosm in which to explore this amazing past for several reasons. First, it is the land where the earliest geologists learned how to read the history of the Earth, written in nature's rock archives. Second, it is where Alvarez and his Italian geological friends have continued to decipher the rock record, uncovering more historical episodes from the Earth's past. And third, the lovely land of Italy is unusually rich in geological treasures and offers examples of the key processes that have created the landscapes of the entire world.

The Mountains of Saint Francis begins in Rome. We discover that the landscape of Rome was built by violent volcanic eruptions in the very recent past, almost certainly witnessed by our human ancestors. Next we travel to Siena and come face to face with a fundamental discovery of the geologists--that much of the dry land that we currently inhabit was once underwater, beneath ancient seas or oceans. Then we stop in the small medieval city of Gubbio and contemplate the amazing secret that the limestone rocks kept hidden for 65 million years--that a huge asteroid smashed into the Earth, disrupting the environment so severely that the dinosaurs, and perhaps half of the other forms of life inhabiting the Earth at the time, disappeared forever, opening the way for the rise of the mammals and eventually of humans.

The impact theory that came from those Italian limestones at Gubbio was one of the great geological discoveries of the twentieth century. Just as important to the field of geology was the theory of plate tectonics--the understanding that the outer layer of the Earth is divided into crustal plates that move around, sometimes carrying continents into collisions with one another, like the great collision between Italy and Europe that built the Alps. And yet, to explain the Mountains of Saint Francis requires something more than a collision between continents. These are mountains that are still jealously guarding the secret of their past, and in this book we go along with the geological detectives as they try to uncover that secret. It is a journey that has seen the land of Italy lifted out of the sea, squashed and folded, torn apart, left high and dry when the Mediterranean Sea evaporated away, and then flooded when the Atlantic waters poured back in.

The story of the Earth's history is fascinating in its own right, but with Alvarez as the tour guide, the journey takes on a human dimension, full of stories about the landscape and history of Italy and about the great geologists who uncovered the deep past of this land. It is a journey recounted in warm tones and subtle colors, reflecting the transcendent beauty of Italy itself.



Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
Published: 12/01/2008
ISBN: 9780393061857
Pages: 304
Weight: 1.27lbs
Size: 9.28h x 6.44w x 0.98d

Review Citations: Library Journal Prepub Alert 01/14/2008 pg. 62
Publishers Weekly 05/26/2008 pg. 48
Library Journal 06/15/2008 pg. 88
Kirkus Reviews 06/15/2008 pg. 627
Booklist 07/01/2008 pg. 22
Scitech Book News 12/01/2008 pg. 56
Choice 06/01/2009
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SKU: 39657104789

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Dr. Nicckay Natson
Cuba, US
★★★★★ 5
Beautiful Travel Case
Color: Cloud White, Size: 4.1"W, Color: Cloud White, Size: 4.1"W
This travel jewelry box is very nice and great quality. It is durable they did a wonderful job on this product with each compartment for organization. The size is small and compact. The color is beautiful. I would purchase from this seller again.
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Alyx
Cuba, US
★★★★★ 5
Very nice for the price
Color: Jelly Pink, Size: 8"W, Color: Jelly Pink, Size: 8"W
This is a very nice jewelry case, especially for the price (around $10). I want to note that it is top heavy; even without the mirror inside the top part it tips over (won't sit flat on the bottom part when open, most of the time). There are some minor imperfections in the case, but nothing that will prevent it from doing its job and it still looks really nice. The necklace pocket does not have any dividers, it's one pocket. The zipper tabs look like they were painted, I'm not sure what material is underneath, but I'm hoping it does not chip over time. The stitching on the case looks nicely done.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2026
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Jess M P
Dallas, US
★★★★★ 4
Perfect for travel. Sturdy and will keep your items safe.
Color: Cloud White, Size: 8"W, Color: Cloud White, Size: 8"W
This was a galentines gift for a gift exchange. It comes with multiple compartments that are removable and can hold any type of jewelry from studs to necklaces, rings and bracelets. Any solid bracelet takes some maneuvering to hold. This is semi customizable to fit your needs and will house most jewelry items. The zipper does get stuck a bit but is a strong thick zipper and not super flimsy. The inserts on the sides can be removed, however, the ring inserts seem to be glued down. Bigger jewelry or chunky jewelry pieces may not fit well in this travel case. All in all it can hold quite a bit, the size is compact and perfect for travel and it’s a handy organizer for jewelry.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2026
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Amazon Customer
San Leandro, US
★★★★★ 4
Economical Storage Solution
Color: Jelly Pink, Size: 4.6"D x 5.2"W x 2.8"H, Style: Upgraded Book Design, Color: Jelly Pink, Size: 4.6"D x 5.2"W x 2.8"H, Style: Upgraded Book Design
I needed a storage solution for some pieces that I wanted to keep in a small safe. This works great. Also, perfect size for travel. You will not be able to use all of the earring holes for adult size jewlery. But that’s okay. For the price point, you can buy multiple.  Tangle resistance: Price! 
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Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2025
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thyroyalreader
Boise, US
★★★★★ 5
My fave ever
I bought this to travel for a summer camp and still use it, two years later! It is now my everyday jewelry container. The gold clasp has held up well and closes well. Very easy to use and structurally sound! I love the color and overall vibe of it too- very straight forward. I use the top portion for long earrings, so know if you do that, it can be finnicky, if you have fun or funky shaped earrings- so just know they may get caught but it's such an easy fix. I would say it is about the size of half of an American Girl doll. Maybe around the size of half a goose.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2026

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