Tropical Time Machines

What is the past? It is a time as well as a place. Acclaimed author Peter D. Ward describes the tools that contemporary scientists use to uncover facts about the past - terrain, climate, and the life forms that once inhabited this planet. Time Machines presents fascinating profiles of the deep past and the scientists who are making it come alive. "...for the general reader, Time Machines may be the most interesting book yet by the University of Washington prof..." -SEATTLE WEEKLY "For anyone interested in how and why as well as the what of paleontology, Time Machines is a must read."-AMERICAN SCIENTIST

'So, in the end, above ground you must have the Haves, pursuing pleasure and comfort and beauty, and below ground the Have-nots, the Workers...' At a Victorian dinner party, in Richmond, London, the Time Traveller returns to tell his extraordinary tale of mankind's future in the year 802,701 AD. It is a dystopian vision of Darwinian evolution, with humans split into an above-ground species of Eloi, and their troglodyte brothers. The first book H. G. Wells published, The Time Machine is a scientific romance that helped invent the genre of science fiction and the time travel story. Even before its serialisation had finished in the spring of 1895, Wells had been declared 'a man of genius', and the book heralded a fifty year career of a major cultural and political controversialist. It is a sardonic rejection of Victorian ideals of progress and improvement and a detailed satirical commentary on the Decadent culture of the 1890s. This edition features a contextual introduction, detailed explanatory notes, and two essays Wells wrote just prior to the publication of his first book.

This book charts the history of how biological evolution has been depicted on British television and radio, from the first radio broadcast on evolution in 1925 through to the 150th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s Origin of the Species in 2009. Going beyond science documentaries, the chapters deal with a broad range of broadcasting content to explore evolutionary themes in radio dramas, educational content, and science fiction shows like Doctor Who. The book makes the case that the dominant use in science broadcasting of the ‘evolutionary epic’, a narrative based on a progressive vision of scientific endeavour, is part of the wider development of a standardised way of speaking about science in society during the 20th century. In covering the diverse range of approaches to depicting evolution used in British productions, the book demonstrates how their success had a global influence on the genres and formats of science broadcasting used today.

'An enchanting book...poignant and passionate.' Geographical 'A captivating and absorbing account.' Sir David Attenborough Madagascar is one of the world’s natural jewels, with over ninety per cent of its wildlife found nowhere else on Earth. Few people knew it better than the pioneering primatologist and conservationist, Alison Jolly. Thank You, Madagascar is her eyewitness account of the extraordinary biodiversity of the island, and the environment of its people. At the book’s heart is a conflict between three different views of nature. Is the extraordinary forest treasure-house of Madagascar a heritage for the entire world? Is it a legacy of the forest dwellers’ ancestors, bequeathed to serve the needs of their living descendants? Or is it an economic resource to be pillaged for short-term gain and to be preserved only to deliver benefits for those with political power? Exploring and questioning these different views, this is a beautifully written diary and a tribute to Madagascar.

This innovative debut novel by British author H.G. Wells follows an unnamed scientist as he uses a time machine to travel from turn-of-the-century England into the far future. Instead of a world of gleaming technology, the explorer finds a primitive society populated by the fragile, human-like Eloi and the predatory, underground-dwelling Morlocks. Attempting to retrieve his stolen invention and return to his own time, the traveler encounters plenty of dangers and eventually glimpses more unsettling visions of dire future eras.

The Time Machine by H. G. Wells is a science fiction novel that was first published in 1895. The story follows an unnamed Time Traveller who builds a machine that can transport him through time. He travels to the year 802,701 AD where he encounters two distinct species of human-like creatures, the Eloi and the Morlocks. The Eloi are childlike and peaceful, living above ground in a utopian society, while the Morlocks are savage and cannibalistic, living underground in darkness. Wells uses his narrative to explore the themes of evolution, class struggle, and the dangers of technological advancement. The Time Traveller's journey through time serves as a commentary on the consequences of social and technological progress. The Eloi and the Morlocks represent two extremes of human evolution, with the former being the result of a life of luxury and the latter being the product of a life of labor and hardship. The novel also touches upon the idea of class struggle, with the Eloi representing the upper class who have no need to work and the Morlocks representing the working class who are forced to live in harsh conditions. Wells' portrayal of the Morlocks as cannibalistic monsters highlights the fear of the working class rising up against their oppressors. Furthermore, The Time Machine also warns against the dangers of technological advancement. The Time Traveller's machine represents the pinnacle of human ingenuity, but it also leads him to witness the destruction of humanity. The novel suggests that unchecked technological progress can lead to catastrophic consequences. The Time Machine is a thought-provoking novel that explores complex themes through an engaging narrative. Wells' commentary on social and technological progress is still relevant today, making this novel a timeless classic of science fiction literature.

Exploring works of science fiction originating from Spanish-speaking parts of the Caribbean and their diasporas, this book shows how writers, filmmakers, musicians, and artists are using the language of the genre to comment on the region's history and present-day realities.