Revolutions in the Earth

James Hutton and the True Age of the World

By: Stephen Baxter

Write A Review

Hardcover | 1 September 2003 | Edition Number 1

Sorry, we are not able to source the book you are looking for right now.

We did a search for other books with a similar title, however there were no matches. You can try selecting from a similar category, click on the author's name, or use the search box above to find your book.

In the eighteenth century, the received wisdom, following Ussher's careful biblical calculations, was that the Earth was just six thousand years old. James Hutton, a gentleman farmer with legal and medical training and a passion for rocks, knew that this could not be the case. Looking at the formation of irregular strata in the layers of the earth he deduced that a much deeper abyss of time would be required for the landscape he saw to have evolved. In the turbulent world of Enlightenment Scotland he set out to prove it.He could not have achieved this without his friends. Hutton's entourage in Edinburgh would turn out to be the leading thinkers of the age. His close circle consisted of such luminaries as Erasmus Darwin, Adam Smith, James Watt and David Hume. These brilliant men would work together to develop the nascent science of geology but would also make spectacular advances in agriculture, chemistry, philosophy, economy and engineering; as well as devising steam engines and military tactics.Hutton's geological theory of the Earth would cause a profound religious debate as well as provoking decades of criticism. His revelation, however, was ultimately one of the most extraordinary and essential moments in scientific history. This is the little-known story of a man who fought hard against orthodox beliefs to prove the antiquity of the earth and of the dedicated loyalty of an enlightened circle of friends.

Industry Reviews

We are setting a late June press date for this title, and have already confirmed - appearance at the Edinburgh Festival. The author has been involved in several public awareness projects connected with the June 2 lift off of the British Mars spaceprobe Beagle 2, and as he says "If there is life on Mars it must be part of a planetary biosphere, a Martian 'Gaia'. Beagle 2 will look for Mars's Gaia, for example by studying its atmosphere. Hutton's theory of the Earth was based on ideas of a living, self-sustaining planet remarkably like modern 'Gaia' ideas, 200 years ahead of their time. Hutton would surely have been thrilled to see Beagle 2 journeying to test these ideas on a new world." More news on reviews - which include NEW SCIENTIST - and interviews to foll

Shipping

	Standard Shipping	Express Shipping
Metro postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Regional postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Rural postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95

Orders over $89.00 qualify for free shipping.

How to return your order

At Booktopia, we offer hassle-free returns in accordance with our returns policy. If you wish to return an item, please get in touch with Booktopia Customer Care.

Additional postage charges may be applicable.