Tuzo

Adroitly interweaving narratives of a man, a time, and an idea, Nick Eyles recounts the intellectual odyssey of legendary earth scientist J. Tuzo Wilson. Wilson's journey from defender of geological convention to leading architect of plate tectonics changed forever our understanding of how the Earth works. An instructive lesson in science and a personal story to savour. - Andrew H. Knoll, Fisher Research Professor of Natural History, Harvard University, and author of A Brief History of Earth Jock 'Tuzo' Wilson was a Canadian war veteran and distinguished professor who contributed to the revolution in our understanding of planet Earth. Nick Eyles tells the fascinating story of Tuzo, his family, and the intellectual turmoil among earth science scholars in this meticulously researched and beautifully written and illustrated book. It's a pity that there are no Nobel prizes in earth science, for, if there were, Tuzo would be a Nobel laureate. - John J. Clague, Emeritus Professor, Department of Earth Sciences, Simon Fraser University Nick Eyles offers a fascinating look at how long-entrenched scientific orthodoxy gets overturned in this well-written, illuminating biography of a great pioneering scientist, John Tuzo Wilson. An engrossing account that should be widely read. - Dr. Adam Shoalts, national bestselling author of Beyond the Trees and A History of Canada in 10 Maps This book is a long-overdue account of the life and achievements of one of the giants of earth sciences, J. Tuzo Wilson. It is a compelling and highly readable chronicle of the remarkable events that dramatically changed our understanding of the earth. Nick Eyles effectively combines insights into the science and the people doing the science to create an inspiring narrative of how scientific ideas develop and evolve. - Claire Currie, Professor of Geophysics and director of the Institute for Geophysical Research, University of Alberta This book portrays the most famous Canadian geoscientist in the political and ideological atmosphere of the day. Geological disputes and terms are explained using easily understandable language that's aided by everyday analogies. - Maya G. Kopylova, Professor of Diamond Exploration, University of British Columbia Tuzo Wilson's development of plate tectonic theory, explaining the movement of continents and the inner workings of our planet, was one of the greatest scientific achievements of the twentieth century. Tuzo is an epic tale of the messy, unpredictable, and very human side of science, but is also a coming-of-age story involving war, the development of Canada as a nation, and the exploration of northern Canada. - Stephen T. Johnston, Professor of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta When he was director of the Ontario Science Centre, I had the privilege to work under Dr. Wilson. Always jovial and willing to share stories of his many adventures around the world, he was most excited to talk about the latest research in earth sciences rather than his own accomplishments. This book is a remarkable testament to the insatiable curiosity and thirst for new knowledge that drove him to become a world-renowned scientist. - Bob McDonald, OC, host of CBC Radio's Quirks & Quarks