About this item

Welcome to the Kingfisher Encyclopedia of Life-a jaw-dropping look at 30,000 years of biological evolution organized through the lens of relative lifespan. Packed with the latest science, and created with today's highly visual reader in mind, this encyclopedia is designed to engage readers emotionally. They will be astonished to learn that the mayfly can enjoy a full life in less time than it takes to read the book, inspired by trees over a thousand years old, and feel a sense of humble self-reflection when encountering colonies of simple life forms which have existed since before recorded time. At the heart of the book is the human story: a central section looks at life expectancy among the human population today and historically through time, examining the many and varied factors which influence longevity.