Tuzo
The Unlikely Revolutionary of Plate Tectonics
Published on 13. September 2022
Book
Paperback/Softback
288 pages
978-1-4875-2457-9 (ISBN)
Description
Tuzo is the never-before-told story of one of Canada's most influential scientists and the discovery of plate tectonics, a pivotal development that forever altered how we think of our planet.
In 1961, a Canadian geologist named John "Jock" Tuzo Wilson (1908-1993) jettisoned decades of strongly held opposition to theories of moving continents and embraced the idea that they drift across the surface of the Earth.
Tuzo tells the fascinating life story of Tuzo Wilson, from his early forays as a teenaged geological assistant working on the remote Canadian Shield in the 1920s to his experiences as a civilian-soldier in the Second World War to his ultimate role as the venerated father of plate tectonics. Illuminating how science is done, this book blends Tuzo's life story with the development of the theory of plate tectonics, showing along the way how scientific theories are debated, rejected, and accepted. Gorgeously illustrated, Tuzo will appeal to anyone interested in the natural world around them.
In 1961, a Canadian geologist named John "Jock" Tuzo Wilson (1908-1993) jettisoned decades of strongly held opposition to theories of moving continents and embraced the idea that they drift across the surface of the Earth.
Tuzo tells the fascinating life story of Tuzo Wilson, from his early forays as a teenaged geological assistant working on the remote Canadian Shield in the 1920s to his experiences as a civilian-soldier in the Second World War to his ultimate role as the venerated father of plate tectonics. Illuminating how science is done, this book blends Tuzo's life story with the development of the theory of plate tectonics, showing along the way how scientific theories are debated, rejected, and accepted. Gorgeously illustrated, Tuzo will appeal to anyone interested in the natural world around them.
Reviews / Votes
"This book presents a long overdue appreciation of the geologist J. Tuzo Wilson and his profound contributions to the development of our understanding of plate tectonics...The book is very well written, delightful to read and superbly illustrated." -- Andrew Hynes, McGill University * <em>Geoscience Canada</em> * "In accessible language, Eyles provides an outstanding biography of John Tuzo Wilson, the geophysicist responsible for clarifying today's understanding of continent movement." -- L.T. Spencer, Plymouth State University * <em>CHOICE</em> * "In accessible language, Eyles provides an outstanding biography of John Tuzo Wilson, the geophysicist responsible for clarifying today's understanding of continent movement...Readers unfamiliar with the plate tectonics controversy will find this book extremely informative. Knowledgeable readers will enjoy the nuanced overview of Tuzo's contributions to the present knowledge of plate tectonics and continental drift." -- L.T. Spencer, emeritus, Plymouth State University * <em>CHOICE</em> * "For me, it was a gripping page-turner and an unforgettable account of a scientific revolution occurring in my lifetime ... A must-read for geographers or indeed, for anyone interested in the history of earth science and paradigmatic change." -- Ian MacLachlan, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School * <em>Canadian Geographies</em> *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Canada
Publishing group
University of Toronto Press
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
54 colour illustrations, 49 b&w illustrations, 46 colour maps, 21 b&w figures
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 214 mm
Thickness: 12 mm
Weight
748 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4875-2457-9 (9781487524579)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Nick Eyles is the award-winning author of multiple books, including Canada Rocks: The Geologic Journey and Road Rocks Ontario: Over 250 Geological Wonders to Discover. He is the recipient of the McNeil Medal from the Royal Society of Canada and the E.R. Ward Neale Medal from the Geological Association of Canada. He is a professor in the Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences at the University of Toronto Scarborough.
Content
Prologue: The Day the Earth Moved
1. In the Beginning
2. Continents Adrift?
3. Sources of Friction
4. Permanentist Foundations
5. Tuzo's War
6. A Geologist in a Strange Land
7. Seismic Shift
8. The New World of Plate Tectonics
9. An Unlikely Revolutionary
Appendix I: Medals and Awards
Appendix II: Select Primary Sources
Appendix III: The Geological Timescale
Index
1. In the Beginning
2. Continents Adrift?
3. Sources of Friction
4. Permanentist Foundations
5. Tuzo's War
6. A Geologist in a Strange Land
7. Seismic Shift
8. The New World of Plate Tectonics
9. An Unlikely Revolutionary
Appendix I: Medals and Awards
Appendix II: Select Primary Sources
Appendix III: The Geological Timescale
Index