When the Earth Was Green: Plants, Animals, and Evolution's Greatest Romance by Riley Black ~ an Audiobook Review

by Donna Huber

Fossils plants allow us to touch the lost worlds from billions of years of evolutionary backstory. Each petrified leaf and root show us that dinosaurs, saber-toothed cats, and even humans would not exist without the evolutionary efforts of their leafy counterparts. It has been the constant growth of plants that have allowed so many of our favorite, fascinating prehistoric creatures to evolve, oxygenating the atmosphere, coaxing animals onto land, and forming the forests that shaped our ancestors’ anatomy. It is impossible to understand our history without them. Or, our future.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free audiobook was provided for an honest review.

February 2025; Macmillan Audio; 9781250354211
audio (9h 36m), ebook, print; paleontology

I always worry when I listen to a nonfiction book that it will feel like I'm listening to a lecture. I did not feel that way with Riley Black's new book. Wren Mack, the narrator, does a great job with tone and inflections so that it feels more conversational. Instead of droning on, Mack reads the text as someone with a passion for the subject.

Last year, I didn't feel like I read many nonfiction books so I'm trying to do better this year. Like last year, I'm also trying to dapple in subjects that I'm not familiar with. When the Earth Was Green focuses on paleontology. I've never been much into dinosaurs so I count this as stepping out of my comfort zone though a lot of biology is discussed.

Black makes the reader really care about the subject. I never thought I would feel sorry for a mosquito. But when she describes it trying to fly against forceful winds so that it can get a blood meal but it is pushed back towards the tree and into resin, I was actually sad for the mosquito.

I particularly liked the chapter and appendix about cats and catnip. I never thought about whether saber tooth tigers would go crazy for catnip.

It was a quick listen. It's just over 9 hours, but I listened to it in 2 days. It flows really well and held my interest.

You don't need a science background to enjoy this book. If you are curious about the world, then I recommend getting this book.

Buy When the Earth Was Green at Amazon

Donna Huber is an avid reader and natural encourager. She is the founder of Girl Who Reads and the author of how-to marketing book Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour.

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