Principles of Geology, Volume 1 - by Charles Lyell (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

As important to modern world views as any work of Darwin, Marx, or Freud, Principles of Geology is a landmark in the history of science. In this first of three volumes, Charles Lyell (1797-1875) sets forth his powerful uniformitarian argument: processes now visibly acting in the natural world are essentially the same as those that have acted throughout the history of the earth, and are sufficient to account for all geological phenomena.

Martin J. S. Rudwick's new Introduction, summarizing the origins of the Principles, guides the reader through the structure of the entire three-volume first edition and considers the legacy of Lyell's great work.

From the Back Cover

As important to modern world views as any work of Darwin, Marx, or Freud, Principles of Geology is a landmark in the history of science. In this first of three volumes, Charles Lyell (1797-1875) sets forth his powerful uniformitarian argument: processes now visibly acting in the natural world are essentially the same as those that have acted throughout the history of the earth, and are sufficient to account for all geological phenomena.

Review Quotes

"As anyone who has ever voluntarily read Charles Lyell's Principles of Geology or Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species will attest, the literature of natural philosophy, natural history, and modern science can be not only intelligible to an interested general reader but also eloquent, beautiful, and enjoyable."-- "Well-read Naturalist"