Here Be Dragons - How the study of animal and plant distributions revolutionized our views of life and Earth

Why do we find polar bears only in the Arctic and penguins in the Antarctic? Why do oceanic islands often have many types of birds but no large mammals? The study of the distribution of living things is known as biogeography, and brings together 2 great theories: evolution and plate tectonics. This engaging and lively book traces its development from the 19th century into a major field of interdisciplinary research today.