With this book, Roston, a former technology reporter for Time magazine, gives readers a substantial context to the sound bytes concerning climate change-the carbon cycle, the carbon footprint, carbon emissions, global warming-that are flung at us with little explanation. The first half traces carbon's history from the beginning of the universe, the Big Bang, and the nucleosynthesis (the formation of the elements) through the life cycle of stars, and then covers the development of life and dynamics of the "natural" carbon cycle of Earth. The second section spans the last 150 years and delves into the impact of humans on the climate in creating what Roston calls the "industrial carbon cycle." Without using a great deal of scientific jargon, Roston leads us patiently and clearly through this complex issue.