Breakthroughs in our Knowledge and Understanding of the Earth and Planets

During the last 35 years the planets and moons of our solar system have been visited for the first time, and the plate tectonics paradigm has revolutionized earth science and led to the acceptance of mantle convection as the cause of plate tectonics. The author has been a fortunate participant in these extraordinary events and he offers some reminiscences and recollections of his involvement. He also recalls his former colleague William M Kaula and dedicates this prefatory chapter to him.