The Dating Game
One Man's Search for the Age of the Earth
Published on 7. September 2000
Book
Hardback
216 pages
978-0-521-79051-2 (ISBN)
Description
How old is the Earth? At the end of the nineteenth century, geologists, biologists, physicists and astronomers were all looking for a clock that would provide an answer to this, the greatest Time question of all. The Dating Game tells the story of one man's vision of developing a geological timescale that would finally lead to an accurate date for the Age of the Earth. Despite scientific opposition, financial hardship and personal tragedy, Arthur Holmes, greatest geologist of the twentieth century, fought for fifty years to convince the establishment of an Earth of great antiquity: a fight which eventually transformed the moribund 'art' of geology into a dynamic science. Cherry Lewis' engaging writing brings Holmes back to life and skilfully weaves his adventures, loves and losses, around the early history and science of dating the Earth, and the discovery of radioactivity - the clock that tells geological time.
Reviews / Votes
'... a gripping tale to tell ... I would recommend it ... to anyone who has the slightest interest in how our planet came to be the way it is.' John Gribbin, The Sunday Times '... an engaging book ... a good read for geologists ancient and modern who want to understand better the transformation of their discipline. It paints a picture of the life and surprisingly varied career ... of a great scientist, strangely unsung both within his science and elsewhere.' Sue Bowler, Geoscientist 'This is a delightful book which manages very skilfully to combine an account of the history of measurements of the age of the earth with a biography of one of the pioneers in this field - Arthur Holmes. It is a fascinating story of one of modern science's great achievements and I have never read a clearer account of radio-active decay and how it has been used to date rocks.' Aubrey Manning, Presenter of the BBC series 'Earth Story' '... a welcome portrait of a gifted British scientist whose abilities were often stymied by lack of funds and resources.' Douglas Palmer, Nature '... a delightful and informative biography ... we owe Lewis tremendous thanks.' Henry Frankel, EOS '... a fascinating story ... Cherry Lewis' description of the twists and turns by which the oldest known rocks in the world came to have their now accepted great age made for a fascinating read, as did the winding tale of one man's part in this.' Robert S. White, Geological Magazine '... makes lively reading and is recommended as an absorbing historical biography.' Paul R. Renne, Physics Today '... this reads almost like a Who's Who of geology and the budding science of nuclear physics ... a worthwhile read for anyone interested in fuller pictures of the people behind scientific advance.' Anne Burgess, OUGS Journal 'Cherry Lewis' description of the twists and turns by which the oldest known rocks in the world came to have their now accepted great age made for a fascinating read, as did the winding tale of one man's part in this.' Robert S. White, Science and Christian Belief 'In this excellent book, Cherry Lewis has given a concise account of the development of geochronology and an insight into the life of a remarkable man. ... There are few scientists, especially geologists, who are able to fire the public imagination with stories drawn from their own specification. Cherry Lewis is one of the few.' Rodney WalshawMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Illustrations
4 Tables, unspecified; 24 Halftones, unspecified; 11 Line drawings, unspecified
Dimensions
Height: 225 mm
Width: 147 mm
Thickness: 23 mm
Weight
540 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-521-79051-2 (9780521790512)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
New editions
Book
03/2002
Cambridge University Press
€22.27
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Additional editions
Book
03/2002
Cambridge University Press
€22.27
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Person
Cherry Lewis has had a life-long passion for rocks and fossils. After Drama College and running her own business for several years, she finally decided to indulge her passion and studied geology as a mature student at Bristol University. Her degree was succeeded by a PhD on Tibetan granites and post-doctoral research at University College London, which led to a career in the oil industry. Whilst writing her thesis she discovered the work of Arthur Holmes and became captivated by the man who pioneered the way towards determining the true age of the Earth.
Content
1. Prelude to the game; 2. A brief history of time; 3. Darwin's sorest trouble; 4. Mysterious rays; 5. Doomsday postponed; 6. Holidays in Mozambique; 7. This vegetable prison; 8. A brimful of promise; 9. Liquid gold in Yenangyaung; 10. Durham days; 11. The Ardnamurchan affair; 12. Rewards and retributions; 13. Why does the sun shine?; 14. The age of uranium; 15. The age of the earth; 16. Loose ends; Thanks and acknowledgements; Selected bibliography.