From ancient plants -- The amazing carbon atom -- Where did carbon come from? -- The carbon cycle -- Peat : the first step -- From peat to coal -- Where is coal found? -- How is coal mined? -- Coal pollution -- You decide -- The future of coal?

Carbon is the chemical scaffolding of life and civilization; indeed, the great cycle by which carbon moves through organisms, ground, water, and atmosphere has long been a kind of global respiration system that helps keep Earth in balance. And yet, when we hear the word today, it is more often than not in a crisis context. Journalist Roston evokes this essential element, from the Big Bang to modern civilization. Charting the science of carbon--how...