Deep thoughts on deep time with August's book of the month

What do you think about when you visit a new place and tread new ground? 

When I’m in unfamiliar surroundings, I often look around—at the streets, at the trees, at the buildings, at the comings and goings—and think about the other people who have stood in my shoes before. Who were they? When were they? What did they think? What happened in this place tens, or hundreds, or even thousands of years ago?

I suspect that when this month’s author stands in the same spot, though, she thinks about things on a much more impressive timescale. Those same happenings come to mind, perhaps, but she is also likely to think about the long perspective too: how the rock beneath her feet has built over millions of years, the tectonics, the geology.

That’s because our pick of the month for August is Strata: Stories From Deep Time by Laura Poppick. Just released a couple of weeks ago, it’s a book about our Earth, how it’s been constructed over 4.5 billion years, and the scientists and seekers who are investigating that history. 

Strata is our second science-focused book in a row, but it’s very different from last month’s choice. This is a detailed, deliberate walk-through of the state of geoscience; a lingering peek into what happened over epochs longer than any of us can really imagine.

It’s both poetic and practical, mixing some luxurious, reflective nature writing with Poppick’s own recollections as a participant in the field. We join her out on digs and expeditions from some of the world’s most far-flung territories; we hear about the way looking back in time may help us understand what’s coming in our future. 

Rebecca Boyle, author of Our Moon and one of my favorite science writers, says Strata “offers a reminder that the things which connect us, and will outlast us all, are deeper… the iron in our blood, the oxygen we breathe, and the stories we tell.” I can’t argue with that: this is an impressive piece of work that I hope you’ll enjoy. 

Copies are on their way to club members right now, and if you’re not already signed up, this is a great time to sign up and get a copy of Strata delivered to you for just $25 including shipping (list price is $29.99).

And I’m excited to say that Laura will be joining us for a live conversation on Thursday August 21, which you are invited to take part in. More details will be sent out closer to the time, but let me know what you think of this month’s choice!