Book excerpt: "In this sequel to the award winning "Talking Rocks" an earth scientist and an Ojibwe elder travel across Minnesota exploring the ancient rocks that make up a large part of that state. As the geologist describes how these rocks formed and brings to life the ancient worlds they created, the elder, through Native American stories, oral history, culture, and science illustrates how his people had an intimate understand of, and respect for, these ancient rocks and the land they gave shape to. Traveling from northeastern to southwestern Minnesota, some of the diverse topics they discuss are the nature of science, holistic geology, l mining, science and spirituality, and the legacy of the fur trade. Ancient Earth and the First Ancestors not only tells a fascinating story that spans billions of years, but is also a wonderful chronicle of two people from different cultural and scientific heritages learning to understand, appreciate, and see the value and importance in each other's way of viewing this land the planet we all call home."--Pub. desc.