Review by Choice Review
Sullivan, a world-renowned scientist-writer, excellently presents the history of the explosive growth of knowledge leading to the general acceptance of the theory of plate tectonics that was essentially ^D["completed^D]" by 1975. Since then, no major changes have necessitated a marked revision of the well-received first edition of his book (CH, Feb'75); rather, scientific advances of the last 15 years are incorporated as much as possible into this newer edition. These include brief discussions of deep seismic investigations, discovery of massive overthrusts, deep-sea metal-rich geysers, accretionary tectonics, potential of geothermal energy, and others. Illustrations are exactly to the point, very well chosen. Copious references support each of the 21 chapters and number approximately 775. Emphasis is placed on references earlier than 1975. The style of writing richly blends the excitement of discovery, human interaction, and evolution of earth scientific knowledge. This book belongs in the libraries of all intelligent general readers as well as all scientists.
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
The theory of continental drift involves beggaring concepts -- convection currents in the earth's mantle, thousands of kilometers of ocean floor rising from undersea ridges to disappear like doormats under the edges of continental masses, and occasionally these same masses -- plates -- bashing into one another to form great crumpled mountain ranges. Oddly, as scientists have increasingly come around to the idea, the general public has lost interest, and the Glomar Challenger -- that remarkable sea-probing vessel -- has been as casually attended as the Mariners and other later vehicles of technological teamwork. This is not so surprising though, considering the romance and the sensational prospects that were opened up in earlier phases of the debate. First, polar explorers of the 19th century died amassing evidence so out of kilter with accepted earth history that it seemed only the direct and most unacceptable explanations could serve, such as those of Velikovsky and H.A. Brown. But in the '50's, with the Cold War and lavishly extended research budgets, the idea was taken up by Harry Hess and the American Miscellaneous Society (an offbeat NSF advisory group specializing in ""calamitology, triviology, and etceterology,"") and the character of the investigation changed in keeping with the fraternity style of the Woods Hole oceanographic installation, operation Mohole, the Ring of Fire (remember all the volcanic sci-fi). . . . What comes after -- refinements of the model and episodes at sea (trying to maneuver the probe ship so as to wriggle free miles of piping in time to escape an iceberg) and possibilities for future exploration -- is ideal for Sullivan, who knows exactly how and when to shift ground and could probably write a riveting history of podiatry. If this doesn't get the public, we don't know what will. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
Review by Kirkus Book Review
