Written In Stone

by Chet Raymo, Maureen E. Raymo

In this journey through 500 million years, “Written in Stone” translates the slow motion of geologic time into a gripping account of the tearing down and reconstruction of the land, fossil records, past climates, the birth of oceans, the rifting of the ocean floor, the movement of glaciers, the evolution of plants and animals, and the coming of man—the forces that shaped our familiar landscape from New Jersey to Maine. Continents collide, oceans disappear, mountain ranges rise and fall, and mass extinctions decimate entire species. Written in vivid, non-technical prose by two university professors—a father and daughter team—the book traces the geologic changes in the American northeast since the continent perched on the equator and dinosaurs were young. An indispensable reference, including charts, maps, timelines & illustrations.

Genres: Nature, Geology, Science, Nonfiction

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Chet Raymo (born September 17, 1936 in Chattanooga, Tennessee) is a noted writer, educator and naturalist. He is Professor Emeritus of Physics at Stonehill College, in Easton, Massachusetts. His weekly newspaper column Science Musings appeared in the Boston Globe for twenty years, and his musings can still be read online at www.sciencemusings.com.

His most famous book was the novel entitled The Dork of Cork, and was made into the feature length film Frankie Starlight. Raymo is also the author of Walking Zero, a scientific and historical account of his wanderings along the Prime Meridian in Great Britain.

Raymo was the recipient of the 1998 Lannan Literary Award for his Nonfiction work.

Reviews

[Jackie Thompson]

This book was a great refresher on East Coast geology. I loved learning about how the landmarks I’m becoming increasingly familiar with in New England were made. It added a bunch places I want to check out to my list! I really wish there was an updated edition of this book. It would be even more amazing with more detailed maps and color
photos, though the illustrations are great and charming in their own right.

[Kathleen]

The pictures were very helpful! I also liked the summary paragraph at the end of each chapter. Some of the early chapters I found dense and hard to get through, but the story (of the earth) moves right along! It's an informative read, and fairly enjoyable as well. It taught me a new word: "orogeny," the making of mountains!

[Rick Edwards]

This little book is a great intro to earth's geologic history for us who live in the northeastern U.S.A.

[Yvette G]

Pretty dope

[Sara V.]

The visual descriptions are vivid and really help put a picture on the scientific language. The illustrations are clear and understandable. I found myself wishing that there was an updated edition with even more pictures.

[Allison]

A good overview of New England's geologic history. Those without a geology background should be able to follow without difficulty.

[Shincrackerfarm]

This book is a great simple geologic history that reads like a story. Lots of good diagrams.

[Susanne]

A fascinating quick read.

[Ed]

I loved Chet's columns in the Globe, but this book needed to be in a bigger format, with more maps and illustrations.

[Lizzy]

A very enjoyable, easy, informative, and fascinating read! School reading I actually wanted to do.

[Rebeckah]

Great geologic history of our region; I think I will need to read it again to better cement our complex history in my mind! :)

[Alan Rohwer]

Classic of natural history & the story of geology.

[Linda Shaughnessy]

Clear, well illustrated and diagrammed, dynamic story of how the New England area came to be, geologically over the last 4+ billion years.

[Teri]

Informative, fascinating, highly accessible, jam-packed, enetrtaining
I keep rereading this book. It's terrific. Please revise it again so it's as up to date as possible! Love this book!

[Gmnielsen]

Easy introduction to Geology, using the Northeast as the model. Worth reading.