The Man Who Found Time: James Hutton and the Discovery of the Earth's Antiquity

There are three men whose life’s work helped free science from the strait-jacket of religion. Two of the three—Nicolaus Copernicus and Charles Darwin—are widely heralded for their breakthroughs. The third, James Hutton, is comparatively unknown, yet he profoundly changed our understanding of the earth, its age, and its dynamic forces.

A Scottish gentleman farmer, Hutton’s observations on his small tract of land led him to a theory that directly contradicted biblical claims that the Earth was only 6,000 years old. This expertly crafted narrative tells the story not only of Hutton, but also of Scotland and the Scottish Enlightenment, including many of the greatest thinkers of the age, such as David Hume and Adam Smith.

"He burst the boundaries of time, thereby establishing geology’s most distinctive and transforming contribution to human thought—Deep Time." - Stephen Jay Gould, 1977

Paperback: 256 pages 
Publisher: Basic Books; Reprint edition (May 5, 2009) 
Language: English 

***


“This is an informative and revealing book.” —Times Higher Education Supplement

“An interesting story, gracefully written and concisely told, that will appeal to readers intrigued by the history of scientific thought.” —Baltimore Sun 

“Worth reading . . . Repcheck’s description of the Scottish Enlightenment is fascinating.”  —Boston Globe

“Provides many fascinating facts and much praiseworthy prose . . . well worth the read.”  —Washington Times

“A slim volume that’s as readable as it is informative. . . .[Repcheck’s] argument . . . is convincing.” —Providence Journal

“Engaging and suspenseful, Repcheck’s excellent biography is highly recommended . . . the most recent and most detailed account of Hutton’s life and science.” —Library Journal Starred Review

“Repcheck’s comfortable style and enthusiasm for his subject permeates his book.”  —Publisher’s Weekly “Fluidly informative, Repcheck will easily snare readers . . . ” —Booklist