Synopsis: In "Annals of the Former World," John McPhee explores North America along the fortieth parallel, blending geological science with the insights gained from geologists he accompanied on his journeys. The book unfolds in layers, allowing readers to choose their path through its multifaceted narrative. It serves as a comprehensive and accessible survey of geology, making complex concepts understandable while maintaining depth and clarity.

Synopsis: "Rising from the Plains" delves into the high-country geology of the Rocky Mountains through the lens of a regional geologist. The narrative begins with a young woman arriving in Rawlins, Wyoming, and traveling north into the Old West. The book tells the story of a geologist raised on a remote ranch in Wyoming, where he developed an intimate understanding of the high country. It combines personal history with the geological evolution of the landscape, depicting how mountains emerged from flat terrain, were buried, and eventually exhumed as the Rockies. This work is part of John McPhee's series on North American geology, forming a continuation of his exploration of the region.

Synopsis: In this book, John McPhee explores humanity's ongoing battles against natural forces. He reflects on the phrase "the control of nature," which he encountered at the University of Wyoming and delves into various places worldwide where people struggle against environmental challenges. McPhee begins with the Atchafalaya River swamp, where the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has implemented a project to control the Mississippi River's flow and protect vital ports like New Orleans and Baton Rouge. He then recounts a dramatic incident in Iceland in 1973, where a sudden lava flow threatened a key fishing harbor, leading physicist Thorbjorn Sigurgeirsson to propose unique intervention strategies. In Hawaii, McPhee examines how residents cope with the island's volcanic activity, and he discusses the dangers posed by debris flows in the rapidly changing mountains of Los Angeles. Through vivid storytelling, he highlights the tactics individuals employ to wrest control from nature and portrays the ongoing contest between humanity and the environment.