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Garnet Books
Stories in Stone: How Geology Influenced Connecticut History and Culture
Exploring the many facets of Connecticut's unique geology
In a series of entertaining essays, geoscientist Jelle Zeilinga de Boer describes how early settlers discovered and exploited Connecticut's natural resources. Their successes as well as failures form the very basis of the state's Chatham's gold played a role in the acquisition of its Charter, and Middletown's lead helped the colony gain its freedom during the Revolution. Fertile soils in the Central Valley fueled the state's development into an agricultural power house, and iron ores discovered in the western highlands helped trigger its manufacturing eminence. The Statue of Liberty, a quintessential symbol of America, rests on Connecticut's Stony Creek granite. Geology not only shaped the state's physical landscape, but also provided an economic base and played a cultural role by inspiring folklore, paintings, and poems. Illuminated by 50 illustrations and 12 color plates, Stories in Stone describes the marvel of Connecticut's geologic diversity and also recounts the impact of past climates, earthquakes, and meteorites on the lives of the people who made Connecticut their home.
In a series of entertaining essays, geoscientist Jelle Zeilinga de Boer describes how early settlers discovered and exploited Connecticut's natural resources. Their successes as well as failures form the very basis of the state's Chatham's gold played a role in the acquisition of its Charter, and Middletown's lead helped the colony gain its freedom during the Revolution. Fertile soils in the Central Valley fueled the state's development into an agricultural power house, and iron ores discovered in the western highlands helped trigger its manufacturing eminence. The Statue of Liberty, a quintessential symbol of America, rests on Connecticut's Stony Creek granite. Geology not only shaped the state's physical landscape, but also provided an economic base and played a cultural role by inspiring folklore, paintings, and poems. Illuminated by 50 illustrations and 12 color plates, Stories in Stone describes the marvel of Connecticut's geologic diversity and also recounts the impact of past climates, earthquakes, and meteorites on the lives of the people who made Connecticut their home.
176 pages, Hardcover
First published July 21, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 19, 2026
Not by any means an all encompassing review of the state’s geology and mineral resources, but certainly a great overview. The author reviews the geological makeup of the state, and how these formations came to be, then traces these effects through the settlement of the state and the early activities of its settlers. The historical aspects the author covered were fascinating, and I’d be happy to see a historian piggyback on the topic to expand upon what was done here.
November 15, 2023
A fascinating history of Connecticut, written by a geologist. I suppose if you have no connection to the state and have no particular interest in geology, then this book may not be for you. But if you have even a little bit of those two interests then absolutely check this out! There were a few brief parts which got a bit too deep in the weeds of geological processes for me to really follow, but overall this book was quite engaging and has changed the way I experience the landscape around me.
Want to Read
August 7, 2011Connecticut
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews