In Suspect Terrain
In Suspect Terrain by John McPhee is a reissue published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux on January 1, 1984. This 208-page book presents a narrative of the earth, structured in four sections that reflect and illuminate each other. The work explores various geological themes, including the life of Anita Harris, a geologist whose journey began in a Brooklyn ghetto, and delves into the complexities of plate tectonics and the historical context of geological ideas.
Readers will find a blend of biography, landscape analysis, and discussions on geological theories, particularly focusing on the Appalachian region and the Ice Age. The narrative intertwines personal and scientific perspectives, offering insights into the evolving understanding of earth sciences. This edition is presented in English and is designed to engage those interested in geology and the literary exploration of scientific concepts.
Official synopsis Publisher
From the outwash plains of Brooklyn to Indiana’s drifted diamonds and gold In Suspect Terrain is a narrative of the earth, told in four sections of equal length, each in a different way reflecting the three others—a biography; a set piece about a fragment of Appalachian landscape in illuminating counterpoint to the human history there; a modern collision of ideas about the origins of the mountain range; and, in contrast, a century-old collision of ideas about the existence of the Ice Age. The central figure is Anita Harris, an internationally celebrated geologist who went into her profession to get out of a Brooklyn ghetto. The unifying theme is plate tectonics—here concentrating on the acceptance that all aspects of the theory do not universally enjoy. As such, In Suspect Terrain is a report from the rough spots at the front edge of a science.
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