Annals of the Former World
Book description
The Pulitzer Prize-winning view of the continent, across the fortieth parallel and down through 4.6 billion years
Twenty years ago, when John McPhee began his journeys back and forth across the United States, he planned to describe a cross section of North America at about the fortieth parallel and, in…
Why read it?
2 authors picked Annals of the Former World as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
Every geology book collection should include this Pulitzer Prize-winning classic. McPhee travels with four different U.S. geologists, visiting their outcrops and laboratories while tracing the evolution of geologic thought and discoveries. McPhee has the eye of a scientist, the soul of a poet, and the pen (keyboard?) of a master author. The result is fluid and beautiful writing about science and those who practice it.
From Keith's list on geology that tell great stories.
New Yorker writer John McPhee captures the romance and drama of geology like no other writer. His Annals, written over two decades as he traveled the breadth of North America in the company of articulate, passionate geologists, is unique in the literature of science. OK, I admit that this is a bit of a cheat, as Annals collates 4 of McPhee’s earlier books, titles from 1981 to 1993, into a single massive tome. But what mastery! Savor every page.
From Robert's list on planet Earth.
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