Time Matters provides an invaluable insight into the background behind some of the key concepts we use in Earth science today. It shows the historical context in which these ideas were developed, the important contributions of individual scientists and thinkers, and how these ideas continue to shape our view of science and the world in which we live. The book covers subjects such as the age of the earth, catastrophism vs uniformitarianism, evolution vs creationism, plutonism vs neptunism, continental drift and plate tectonics. It explores the people involved, their ideas and the scientific and religious power politics involved in the development. It is effectively partly a review of the way in which science works or does not work. The text includes questions and comment boxes which help the reader to appreciate/understand the ideas and concepts that have been included and their problems, strengths or weaknesses. Accessible introduction – does not assume prior knowledge Teaches scientific thought – particularly the use of evidence Topic based – uses a set of key geological theories This book is written for anyone with an interest in geology and the history of science, but will be particularly valuable to university or high–school students beginning a study of earth science for the first time.
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"This book is written for the general reader, so technical terms and the detailed science behind some of the controversies is pushed to the background whilst some of the more human aspects come to the fore. I liked the style and the format of this book which will provide readers with a great insight into the development of our science and the concepts it has brought to the world." (Down to Earth, 1 November 2011) "I thoroughly recommend the paperback version of the book to colleagues and students alike – you will not be disappointed." (Geoscientist, 1 March 2011) "Recommended. Lower–and upper–division undergraduates and general readers". (Choice, 1 November 2010) "Takes the reader through a comprehensive synopsis of the topic; through rock dating and time scales, plutonism and neptunism, uniformitarianism and catastrophism, evolution and creationism, and onto continental drift and plate tectonics. Each concept, set into its own historical timescale, details the development and discoveries that have shaped our understanding of geological time, by the people most notably involved...an ideal introduction to the topic most central to any study of the earth sciences." Pete Loader (Teaching Earth Sciences Vol 36 No 1 2011)
From the Back Cover
The development of the science of Geology has a long and fascinating history. As in many branches of science, the personalities and motives (not always honourable) of the key players have had a profound effect on the direction of research, and on the speed at which new ideas have evolved and have been disseminated. Time Matters provides an invaluable insight into the background behind some of the key concepts we use in Earth science today. It shows the historical context in which these ideas were developed, the important contributions of individual scientists and thinkers, and how these ideas continue to shape our view of science and the world in which we live. This book is written for anyone with an interest in geology and the history of science, but will be particularly valuable to university or high–school students beginning a study of earth science for the first time.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Pete
Format:Paperback
The title of Michael Leddra's book may have seemed an incongruous choice of holiday reading material during a time last summer when, for me, time really didn't matter. But I was far from disappointed. Time Matters - Geology's Legacy to Scientific Thought takes the reader through a comprehensive synopsis of the topic; through rock dating and time scales, plutonism and neptunism, uniformitarianism and catastrophism, evolution and creationism, and onto continental drift and plate tectonics. Each concept, set into its own historical timescale, details the development and discoveries that have shaped our understanding of geological time, by the people most notably involved.
Time Matters is more than a textbook and reads with the accessibility of a novel. Clearly written by an educationalist, the reader's own understanding is frequently challenged with appropriate use of "discussion point questions" which make it much more interactive. The author also provides additional "background" to the topics discussed as well as "further reading" suggestions. Indeed, the author frequently quotes from an extensive bibliography which further directs the reader to new ideas for study and it is this synthesis of so many current books on this topic that makes Time Matters such a useful publication. Thus the book, which is liberally illustrated with black and white photos, maps and diagrams and a very good index, is an ideal introduction to the topic most central to any study of the earth sciences.
This is certainly appropriate for the A'level/first year university market and as a background to the development of the earth sciences for the educated layman. As the book covers so many important topics at A'level - remnant magnetism, geological principles, radiometric dating techniques, mountain building to name but a few - the A'level student and teacher will find this a particularly useful reference. Whilst the cost may be prohibitive for class copies, this is certainly one for the departmental and main school library. I thoroughly recommend the paperback version of this book to colleagues and students alike and know you too will not be disappointed.
Time Matters is more than a textbook and reads with the accessibility of a novel. Clearly written by an educationalist, the reader's own understanding is frequently challenged with appropriate use of "discussion point questions" which make it much more interactive. The author also provides additional "background" to the topics discussed as well as "further reading" suggestions. Indeed, the author frequently quotes from an extensive bibliography which further directs the reader to new ideas for study and it is this synthesis of so many current books on this topic that makes Time Matters such a useful publication. Thus the book, which is liberally illustrated with black and white photos, maps and diagrams and a very good index, is an ideal introduction to the topic most central to any study of the earth sciences.
This is certainly appropriate for the A'level/first year university market and as a background to the development of the earth sciences for the educated layman. As the book covers so many important topics at A'level - remnant magnetism, geological principles, radiometric dating techniques, mountain building to name but a few - the A'level student and teacher will find this a particularly useful reference. Whilst the cost may be prohibitive for class copies, this is certainly one for the departmental and main school library. I thoroughly recommend the paperback version of this book to colleagues and students alike and know you too will not be disappointed.
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