In Steven Stanley's introductory text "Exploring Earth and Life Through Time", he reviews the history of physical environments on Earth and the evolution and extinction of life from early on in the planet's history to the present day. Accessible to reader with no previous exposure to the field, the text first provides the foundation for understanding the history of Earth and its biota, and then integrates biological and physical history within the unifying context of plate tectonics. The book shows students how Earth's ecosystem has changed through time and how events in the past provide a perspective for dealing with present and future changes.