The Greywacke: How a Priest, a Soldier and a School Teacher Uncovered 300 Million Years of History

A joyful collision of science, history, and nature writing, Notes from Deep Time reveals the narrative structure of the Paleozoic Era through the personal and intellectual rivalry of Helen Gordon, Adam Sedgwick, Charles Lapworth, and Roderick Murchison. Nick Davidson brings their ideas and characters to life using maps, diaries, letters, field notes, and contemporary accounts, celebrating the visceral pleasure of geologists in noticing the earth beneath our feet.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 05 May 2022
Publisher: Profile Books Ltd

SHORTLISTED FOR THE ROYAL SOCIETY SCIENCE PRIZE 2022


A delightful blend of science, history, and nature writing, Helen Gordon's Notes from Deep Time explores the captivating narrative structure of the Paleozoic Era, a 300-million-year period that witnessed the emergence of life on Earth as we know it. The book delves into the personal and intellectual rivalry between four remarkable individuals: Adam Sedgwick, a priest and scholar; Roderick Murchison, a retired soldier; Charles Lapworth, a schoolteacher; and Nick Davidson, a modern-day geologist. Their journey, spanning across Wales, Scotland, Cornwall, Devon, and parts of western Russia, unraveled the secrets of this ancient era.


Through meticulous research and a keen eye for detail, Davidson reconstructs the lives and adventures of these geologists, drawing on maps, diaries, letters, field notes, and contemporary accounts. But Notes from Deep Time is more than just a history of geology. It is a celebration of the sheer visceral pleasure that generations of geologists have experienced and continue to find in observing the earth beneath our feet. As we embark on this captivating journey through some of the most spectacular scenery in Britain, we are transported back in time to witness the awe-inspiring discoveries and groundbreaking theories that shaped our understanding of the natural world.


Through vivid descriptions and captivating anecdotes, Gordon brings the characters and their scientific pursuits to life, making the reader feel as if they are right alongside them on their adventures. The book also sheds light on the societal and cultural implications of the Paleozoic Era, highlighting the role that geologists played in shaping our understanding of the planet and its history.


In conclusion, Notes from Deep Time is a must-read for anyone with an interest in science, history, or nature. It is a captivating blend of scholarship and storytelling that will leave readers in awe of the wonders of the Paleozoic Era and the remarkable individuals who contributed to its discovery.


SHORTLISTED FOR THE ROYAL SOCIETY SCIENCE PRIZE 2022


A delightful blend of science, history, and nature writing, Helen Gordon's Notes from Deep Time explores the captivating narrative structure of the Paleozoic Era, a 300-million-year period that witnessed the emergence of life on Earth as we know it. The book delves into the personal and intellectual rivalry between four remarkable individuals: Adam Sedgwick, a priest and scholar; Roderick Murchison, a retired soldier; Charles Lapworth, a schoolteacher; and Nick Davidson, a modern-day geologist. Their journey, spanning across Wales, Scotland, Cornwall, Devon, and parts of western Russia, unraveled the secrets of this ancient era.


Through meticulous research and a keen eye for detail, Davidson reconstructs the lives and adventures of these geologists, drawing on maps, diaries, letters, field notes, and contemporary accounts. But Notes from Deep Time is more than just a history of geology. It is a celebration of the sheer visceral pleasure that generations of geologists have experienced and continue to find in observing the earth beneath our feet. As we embark on this captivating journey through some of the most spectacular scenery in Britain, we are transported back in time to witness the awe-inspiring discoveries and groundbreaking theories that shaped our understanding of the natural world.


Through vivid descriptions and captivating anecdotes, Gordon brings the characters and their scientific pursuits to life, making the reader feel as if they are right alongside them on their adventures. The book also sheds light on the societal and cultural implications of the Paleozoic Era, highlighting the role that geologists played in shaping our understanding of the planet and its history.


In conclusion, Notes from Deep Time is a must-read for anyone with an interest in science, history, or nature. It is a captivating blend of scholarship and storytelling that will leave readers in awe of the wonders of the Paleozoic Era and the remarkable individuals who contributed to its discovery.

Weight: 226g
Dimension: 128 x 198 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781788163781
Edition number: Main