Part I. Introduction: 1. Introduction F. M. Gradstein; 2. Chronostratigraphy - linking time and rock F. M. Gradstein, J. G. Ogg and A. G. Smith; Part II. Concepts and Methods: 3. Biostratigraphy F. M. Gradstein, R. A. Cooper and P. M. Sadler; 4. Earth's orbital parameters and cycle stratigraphy L. A. Hinnov; 5. The geomagnetic polarity time scale J. G. Ogg and A. G. Smith; 6. Radiogenic isotope geochronology M. Villeneuve; 7. Stable isotopes J. M. McArthur and R. J. Howarth; 8. Geomathematics F. P. Agterberg; Part III. Geologic Periods: 9. The Precambrian: the Archaen and Proterozoic eons L. J. Robb, A. H. Knoll, K. A. Plumb, G. A. Shields, H. Strauss and J. Veizer; 10. Toward a 'natural' Precambrian time scale W. Bleeker; 11. The Cambrian period J. H. Shergold and R. A. Cooper; 12. The Ordovician period R. A. Cooper and P. M. Sadler; 13. The Silurian period M. J. Melchin, R. A. Cooper and P. M. Sadler; 14. The Devonian period M. R. House and F. M. Gradstein; 15. The Carboniferous period V. Davydov, B. R. Wardlaw and F. M. Gradstein; 16. The Permian period B. R. Wardlaw, V. Davydov and F. M. Gradstein; 17. The Triassic period J. G. Ogg; 18. The Jurassic period J. G. Ogg; 19. The Cretaceous Period J. G. Ogg, F. P. Agterberg and F. M. Gradstein; 20. The Paleogene period H. P. Luterbacher, J. R. Ali, H. Brinkhuis, F. M. Gradstein, J. J. Hooker, S. Monechi, J. G. Ogg, J. Powell, U. Röhl, A. Sanfilippo, and B. Schmitz; 21. The Neogene period L. Lourens, F. Hilgen, N. J. Shackleton, J. Laskar and D. Wilson; 22. The Pleistocene and Holocene epochs P. Gibbard and T. van Kolfschoten; Part IV. Summary: 23. Construction and summary of the geologic time scale F. M.. Gradstein, J. G. Ogg and A. G. Smith; Appendices; Bibliography; Stratigraphic index; General index.