
A clear, modestly paced introduction to the earth’s deep history, this manual was designed to let curious readers explore geology on their own or in a classroom. Rather than offering a laundry‑list of facts, it invites learners to uncover principles step by step, mirroring the way scientists piece together the planet’s story. The tone is friendly and methodical, encouraging a sense of discovery that feels more like a personal investigation than a lecture.
The book unfolds in short, numbered sections that guide you through rock classification, mineral makeup, and the ways rocks form—whether by heat, pressure, chemistry, or living organisms. Subsequent chapters explain the architecture of strata, the forces of water, air, and hidden earth movements, and even the subtle roles of plants and animals in shaping the crust. End‑of‑section questions let you test your grasp of each topic, making the material both approachable and engaging for anyone eager to understand the physical geography of past ages.
Language
en
Duration
~3 hours (180K characters)
Release date
2011-02-18
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1839–1915
A leading Scottish geologist of the late 19th century, he helped shape how scientists thought about ice ages and ancient climate change. His books brought glacial geology to a wide audience while he taught for decades at the University of Edinburgh.
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