On the Rocks: Earth Science for Everyone

by John S. Dickey

Explore the fundamental forces of nature in this lively, engrossing panorama of earth and planetary science. Professor John S. Dickey takes you on a tour that begins with the stardust that formed the Earth and ends on the outer reaches of the galaxy. Along the way you'll read about the changes, both gradual and cataclysmic, that shape the Earth, about the lives of scientists and their discoveries, and a great deal about the nature of science itself. As enjoyable to read as it is informative, On the Rocks will change forever the way you understand the physical world that supports us all.

Genres: Science, Geology

280 pages, Paperback

First published March 16, 1996

Reviews

[Jennifer]

Geology from soup to nuts as of 1995. Very readable with a bit of folksy (ick) humor and poetry thrown in.

[Thi T.]

Loved the personal notes about the contributors to Plate Tectonics, so my favorite part was possibly the few pages in which he discussed Harry Hess' personality. Great reference for learning about Earth Science, and it's chock full of history of geology, which is presented in a brief and accessible manner. Has about everything from Steno to Desmarest to the Neptunists/Vulcanists to the mantle plume hypothesis, and so on.