From the soils that sustain our crops to the homes we've built, the technology we rely on, our biological makeup, and even the tea or coffee you drink, rocks have had a profound influence on human life for as long as we have existed.

No wonder rock has inspired art, folklore, beliefs and scientific study across the ages. Stories of Mother Earth were passed down by our ancestors, who spoke of creation, destruction and a deep connection with the rhythms of our planet. Dr Anjana Khatwa has dedicated much of her life as an earth scientist to the study of these stories, and in addition to the science, she reveals to us the wisdom that lies in the 'whispers' we hear when we personally connect with the rocks around us.

But today these whispers risk being quietened forever. We have stolen from the earth and the people who have revered it, causing destruction and erasure in pursuit of wealth and progress. It has never been more urgent to ensure the stories held by rock are preserved and heard once more.

Through tales of deep time, ancient wisdom, and contemporary creativity, Dr Khatwa offers the hope of reconnection with the earth, as we recognise and appreciate our role in the continuous cycle of creation and reinvention.