Earthrise: A Short History of the Whole Earth - Second Edition

Earthrise tells the incredible story of the first views of Earth from space, interweaving the histories of the Apollo programme and the rise of environmentalism. It shows how the 'Earthrise' and 'Blue Marble' pictures were taken in the pre-digital 1960s and 1970s, what impact they had, and how they helped launch the environmental movement. This second edition has a new chapter, 'Cold War, Blue Planet' on the rise of the Earth sciences, and a new conclusion that considers how the face of the Earth has altered in the fifty years since the first space travellers saw it. The paperback edition includes 35 black and white illustrations.

'An expertly researched and elegantly written cultural history of the space age. Poole deftly explains how images of the whole Earth helped to turn the vision of space exploration away from one that leaves the Earth behind to one that extols the rare magnificence of our home planet.'
Howard McCurdy, author, Space and the American Imagination

'A superb history of the human encounter with our home planet...accessible and insightful.'
Roger Launius, National Air & Space Museum

A fascinating "alternative history of the space age"...Poole's narrative is compelling enough to stand on its own and evoke our wonder and attention.' Patrick McCray, Isis.

'Poole tells this story from several angles and with a kind of kaleidoscopic richness. He has identified an extraordinary moment in human history and brought it vividly to life.'
Fred Turner, author, From Counterculture to Cyberculture

'Earthrise is glorious.'
Stewart Brand

'The extraordinary photos of the Earth taken from Apollo 8 had a deep and lasting effect on many environmentalists - including me. Earthrise is quite compelling and inspiring.'
Sir Jonathon Porritt

'A readable and stimulating foray into an important facet of 20th-century history.'
Jon Turney, Times Higher book of the week

'A truly magnificent book, it deserves to be around for a long time.'
Colin Burgess, co-Author, In the Shadow of the Moon.

'Remarkable ... my book gift choice of this season.' Susan Salter Reynolds, LA Times.

'A refreshingly wide-ranging history.' Stephen Petersen, Leonardo.

'Almost as inspirational as the photographs themselves.' Metro News.

'Robert Poole does a really excellent job.' Oliver Morton, Goodreads

'An engrossing read - an intriguing look at how humans view our planet from afar.'
Francis French, San Diego Air & Space Museum.

Smart and exciting...astounding, and full of amazing ironies. William Kowinski, NCJ.

'A delightful, detailed and scholarly investigation of the Apollo programme's many contributors to environmentalism.' Holly Henry and Amanda Taylor, Sociological Review.

'Earthrise is a fascinating contribution to a growing discussion about how space exploration and settlement will change civilization.' Charles Cockell, Nature.