Here is a new edition of a widely acclaimed account of the most celebrated controversies in the history of geology--a book that covers many of the most important ideas that have emerged since the birth of the science. Among the great debates described here are those involving catastrophe
theory, uniformitarianism, the discovery of the Ice Age, speculation concerning the age of the earth, and the advent of new ideas on plate tectonics and continental drift. In presenting these key topics, the author opens the fascinating history of geology to a wide audience. Frequently citing
original sources, the author gives readers a sense of the colorful and at times immensely entertaining language of scientific discourse. This edition includes a new chapter on the emergence of stratigraphy in the nineteenth century, focusing on controversies surrounding the Cambrian-Silurian and
Devonian. Another new chapter reviews the mass extinction theory, which is still hotly debated. Other chapters have been revised to reflect recent developments and changes in the field. Authoritative and highly readable, this unique work will interest all readers interested in the history of
science and especially the origin of the prevailing ideas in geology today.
Neptunists, vulcanists, and plutonists; Catastrophists and uniformitarians; The emergence of stratigraphy; The ice age; The age of the earth; Continental drift; Mass extinctions; General considerations; Index.
Show moreHere is a new edition of a widely acclaimed account of the most celebrated controversies in the history of geology--a book that covers many of the most important ideas that have emerged since the birth of the science. Among the great debates described here are those involving catastrophe
theory, uniformitarianism, the discovery of the Ice Age, speculation concerning the age of the earth, and the advent of new ideas on plate tectonics and continental drift. In presenting these key topics, the author opens the fascinating history of geology to a wide audience. Frequently citing
original sources, the author gives readers a sense of the colorful and at times immensely entertaining language of scientific discourse. This edition includes a new chapter on the emergence of stratigraphy in the nineteenth century, focusing on controversies surrounding the Cambrian-Silurian and
Devonian. Another new chapter reviews the mass extinction theory, which is still hotly debated. Other chapters have been revised to reflect recent developments and changes in the field. Authoritative and highly readable, this unique work will interest all readers interested in the history of
science and especially the origin of the prevailing ideas in geology today.
Neptunists, vulcanists, and plutonists; Catastrophists and uniformitarians; The emergence of stratigraphy; The ice age; The age of the earth; Continental drift; Mass extinctions; General considerations; Index.
Show moreNeptunists, vulcanists, and plutonists; Catastrophists and uniformitarians; The emergence of stratigraphy; The ice age; The age of the earth; Continental drift; Mass extinctions; General considerations; Index.
'approachable and rewarding'
Times Higher Education Supplement
'a very useful book that deals well with its subject matter: so is
well worth buying'
Richard Wilding, Geology Today, Vol.6, No.3, May/June 1990
'Professor Hallam has done an excellent job in outlining and
discussing seven of the major controversies that have at various
times gripped the geological community ... he gives us a well
balanced outline of the current state of play. This is a
fascinating book which makes compulsive reading. It will strike
chords in any active earth scientist. Since the principles thrashed
out through these controversies undergird all present-day geology,
not only is this
book of direct relevance to working geologists today, but by
helping to provide a clearer picture of the sometimes tortuous
paths by which we reached our present understanding, it might even
help prevent
us trip over quite so many boulders on our path ahead. It might
also induce a little more humility in us as we look back on the
vigour with which our predecessors tackled major intellectual
obstacles on uncharted ground.'
Robert S. White, University of Cambridge, Geological Magazine 127
(6) 1990
'one of the best short books available in this valuable
discipline.'J. Whitaker, Geology Today.
From reviews of the first edition: '[A] spirited, highly
recommended account.' New Scientist
'A book of value and interest to all shades of earth scientists and
it's a very good read.' Geological Magazine
'An impressively broad and lively demonstration of scholarship...a
book of interest to geologists, other scientists, and the public.'
Geology
`.. a fine exposition of some of geology's major arguments of the
past.' New Scientist
'delightfully readable text ... Hallam's easy mastery of the
factual and often complex arguments is matched by his relation of
events and personalities, for the scientists are stars as much as
their discoveries ... a very welcome addition to the literature on
the history of geology and may its well deserved popularity
continue.'
R.J.G. Savage, Archives of Natural History 18 (2):1991
'This is an elegant and excellently written book. The general
reader interested in science and technology will find the book both
entertaining and informative. For those who are students or
professionals in the Earth Sciences it is essential reading.'
Charles B. Officer, Earth-Science Reviews, 33 (1992)
'This is an elegant and excellently written book. The general
reader interested in science and technology will find the book both
entertaining and informative. For those who are students or
professionals in the Earth Sciences it is essential reading.'
Charles B. Officer, Earth-Science Reviews, 33 (1992)
'For Hallam's ... new chapter on "Mass extinctions", I have high
praise. This is detailed and judicial. This is desirable reading
... for historians of geology and, indeed, for geologists at
large.'
W.A.S. Sarjeant, University of Saskatchewan, Geoscience Canada,
Volume 19, Number 2, June 1992
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