Roy Livermore, Associate Lecturer, The Open University

Roy Livermore is a marine geophysicist. He spent twenty years with the British Antarctic Survey, mapping and exploring the Southern Ocean. He has participated in thirteen Antarctic research cruises, several as Chief Scientist. His interests include the effects of ocean gateways - specifically the opening of Drake Passage between South America and Antarctica - on global climate and evolution. He received his PhD from the University of East Anglia in 1985, where he worked with Fred Vine on the history of the geomagnetic field. This was followed by a postdoctoral appointment at Cambridge University, where he was involved in making global plate reconstructions. He retired from BAS in 2006.

"This book is full of delightful surprises...I highly recommend this book as one for you if you want to be properly informed and royally entertained." -- Pete Loader, Teaching Earth Science

"I think that it is useful and important for current and future generations of earth scientists to have an understanding of the roots of their science; this book may be one pathway that our students could reach that goal." -- Kevin P. Furlong, professor in the department of geosciences at the Pennsylvania State University, American Journal of Physics

"Far from being a dense, jargon-laden history book, Livermore brings an accessible writing style and brilliant humour to the story, which certainly had me chuckling. If you know anyone (including yourself!) who is keen to find out more about our planet, give them this book." -- Jonathan Scafidi, The Geological Society

"...a super read; I thoroughly enjoyed it! If you have the slightest interest in the history of plate tectonics, do read this book-you will not be disappointed!" --Michael Brown, International Geology Review

"The Tectonic Plates are Moving! is a rock-solid read... the pacing of the book is great, the irreverent jokes and anecdotes genuinely amusing, the overview of different schools of thought balanced, and the explanations lucid." -- The Inquisitive Biologist

"This book explains modern plate tectonics in a non-technical manner, showing not only how it accounts for phenomena such as earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions, but also how it controls conditions at the Earth's surface, including global geography and climate." -- Green Left Weekly

"This is a great read for anyone interested in this fascinating subject." -- Down to Earth

"[A] packed account, richly contextualized." -- Nature

"Roy Livermore's book provides a comprehensive and authoritative account of the development of plate tectonics theory, from the earliest days of sea-floor spreading to current ideas on mantle plumes and the tectonics of Mars. It clearly describes the critical interactions of science, technology, human personalities and historical accidents. This is a thoroughly enjoyable book, written from the point of view of a knowledgeable insider." -- Roger C. Searle, Durham University, UK