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se_wigget's review
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
In the early twentieth century, J. Harlen Bretz was a geologist who walked around what were believed to be glacial formations carved through mountains and valleys in the states of Oregon and Washington. He took detailed notes and observed rock patterns from Spokane to Portland, Oregon… and concluded that a huge prehistoric flood created the canyon called the Scablands. This was completely at odds with the beliefs of established geologists of the time, and he knew this, but he stood up for truth anyway. This book proves to be not only a scientific study but also a riveting drama.
luisvilla's review
3.0
Fascinating, both in the “this is how science evolves” detective + social story aspect (scientist sees puzzle, solves it, receives scorn from the establishment) and in trying to wrap your head around the geology of it (10x the Amazon! For days!)
Could be better written; most people probably better off just reading the Wikipedia article :)
Could be better written; most people probably better off just reading the Wikipedia article :)
alisonjcantrell's review
4.0
As someone who is casually interested in geology and appreciative of the beautiful, varied landscape of the Pacific Northwest, I found Cataclysms on the Columbia to be a fascinating read. The first half of this book chronicles the life of geologist J Harlen Bretz—his study of the ancient catastrophic floods that shaped the landscape of the Pacific Northwest and his struggle to prove his theory to the scientific community. Bretz’s life and work make the first half of the book a more historical read (which I happened to enjoy), while the latter part transitions into the geologic effects of the floods on the landscape. There are also some interesting flood-related facts sprinkled throughout that kept me interested in this book. For example, a small section details the nutrients left behind by the floods, which created the conditions for Washington and Oregon to host the second and third most wineries respectively in the United States. Written in simple yet stimulating language, Cataclysms is an excellent read for those interested in scientific history or in geology
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