The Hidden Landscape

Sep 22, 2024 5:29 PM

Author:Richard Fortey

'A very well written book about geology and geological history' Sir David Attenborough, The Times

'I travelled to Haverfordwest to get to the past. From Paddington Station a Great Western locomotive took me on a journey westwards from London further and further back into geological time, from the age of mammals to the age of trilobites...'

So begins this enthralling exploration of time and place in which Richard Fortey peels away the top layer of the land to reveal the hidden landscape - the rocks which contain the story of distant events, which dictate not only the personality of the landscape, but the nature of the soil, the plants that grow in it and the regional characteristics of the buildings. We travel with him as our guide throughout the British Isles and as the rocks change so we learn to read the clues they contain: that Britain was once divided into two parts separated by an ocean, that Scottish malt whisky, Harris tweed, slate roofs and thatched cottages can be traced back to tumultuous events which took place many millions of years ago. The Hidden Landscape has become a classic in popular geology since its first publication in 1993. This new edition is fully updated and beautifully illustrated.

Reviews

A superbly exciting work of popular scientific writing

—— AN Wilson , The Financial Times

A very well written book about geology and geological history

—— Sir David Attenborough, The Times

We have a new classic... this is popular science at its best; it's beautifully written, constantly witty and excellently illustrated.

—— Financial Times

Imbued with its author's deep sensitivity to shifting atmospheres, his overwhelming passion for England, Wales and Scotland as living bodies pulsing, breathing, twitching beneath our feet, and his contagiously personal view of his subject.

—— Jonathan Keates , Observer

Georgina Ferry's biography captures not only the scientific advances made by Perutz but also his curious personal qualities

—— Economist

Ferry's story... proceeds with pace and clarity, explaining the science vividly and buoyed throughout by an infectious enthusiasm

—— Times Literary Supplement

[A] marvellous biography of one of the least known of the twentieth century's great scientists...Ferry has mined gold into the lives of two of the founders of structural biology; I can't wait to see who she tackles next

—— Nature

Max Perutz, one of science's great ambassadors... has been given a meaty biography by former New Scientist writer Georgina Ferry

—— Jewish Quarterly

Georgina Ferry has produced a first rate account of his life... there is no difficult physics and the story will appeal to anyone who wants to know how science works and how exciting scientific research can be

—— Royal College of Pathologists magazine

As unexpected as it is brilliant... A moving, powerful meditation on the natural world that envelops us, even in the heart of our cities

—— Helen Dunmore , Guardian Summer Reading

Haunting and passionate.... in graceful, poetic prose, compels us to look again and marvel at the 'storm of life over our heads

—— Huon Mallalieu , Country Life, Christmas round up

The year's most unusual travel book

—— Tom Chesshyre , The Times

[An] eye-opening and hugely enjoyable book

—— Daily Telegraph

Written in a delectable prose that scatters flashes of poetry over a sardonic undertow of social comment, Edgelands is a lyrical triumph. On Britain’s grotty margins, the duo trace “desire paths” to find beauty and mystery in the rough darkness on the edge of town

—— Boyd Tonkin , Independent

Previous Article：Scientist And The Romantic, The (BBC Radio 3 Documentary) Next Article：Nurse On Call

Comments

Welcome to zzdbook comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.