With this marvelous book, his 16th, Winchester returns to his original calling of roots in geology, masterfully combining his own observations of Krakatoa with a vivid retelling of the eruption itself, and a crystal-clear overview of plate tectonics and volcanology. The ecological concept of succession has rarely had such an excellent spokesman.  (INS93, $13.95)

Best of 2003
Simon Winchester
Best of 2003