To begin with, geology is not at all my subject; I believe I never took a geology-focused course and so last surveyed the topic during a more generic earth sciences class in high school. So it is not at all damning with faint praise to say that I found this book intermittently fascinating and generally comprehensible. Oreskes has done an amazing job of writing a clearly scholarly book on the history of continental drift (the theoretical precursor to plate tectonics) that is nonetheless engaging and accessible to the non-specialist. The inclusion of illustrations and diagrams from the original published works for each geological concept profiled was also extremely helpful.

The thesis is that American geologists as a whole rejected continental drift not (as claimed) because the method/origin of the movement was unexplained, but rather because it conflicted with their adherence to the principles of uniformitarianism and made sweeping claims. At this time, American geologists evidently prided themselves on their open-mindedness, rarely arguing for a single theory over others, and they also prioritized fieldwork over theorizing or lab experimentation, further limiting options. Oreskes has evidently done extensive research on the geological milieu, citing everything from the usual papers and monographs through personal letters and notes to course materials and university exams. This emphasis also allows for a more personal look at the geological luminaries of the time, including occasional clues to the important scholarly roles of the women in their lives (all of them were men, naturally...).

Personally, I found Oreskes' conclusions fascinating, as she speculated on the role of assumptions and cultural biases in the formation of scientific consensus. As someone educated into (and out of) the young-earth creationist creed, I wondered how similar concepts hold true of contemporary controversies about the nature and role of science. The author did not make an attempt to expand her conclusions beyond the area studied (likely to her credit), but I would be interested in reading something that did. And now I might even be interested in reading more about geology, which is high praise indeed for this book. ( )