The Rocks Don't Lie: A Geologist Investigates Noah's Flood [Hardcover]

David R. Montgomery (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 27, 2012 | ISBN-10: 0393082393 | ISBN-13: 978-0393082395 | Edition: First Edition

How the mystery of the Bible's greatest story shaped geology: a MacArthur Fellow presents a surprising perspective on Noah's Flood.

In Tibet, geologist David R. Montgomery heard a local story about a great flood that bore a striking similarity to Noah’s Flood. Intrigued, Montgomery began investigating the world’s flood stories and—drawing from historic works by theologians, natural philosophers, and scientists—discovered the counterintuitive role Noah’s Flood played in the development of both geology and creationism. Steno, the grandfather of geology, even invoked the Flood in laying geology’s founding principles based on his observations of northern Italian landscapes. Centuries later, the founders of modern creationism based their irrational view of a global flood on a perceptive critique of geology. With an explorer’s eye and a refreshing approach to both faith and science, Montgomery takes readers on a journey across landscapes and cultures. In the process we discover the illusive nature of truth, whether viewed through the lens of science or religion, and how it changed through history and continues changing, even today. 20 illustrations; maps

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Starred review. Brilliant and provocative, Montgomery's exploration of scientific and theological understandings of Noah's flood vibrantly opens our eyes to the marvels of ancient rocks that are far grander than ourselves.” (Publishers Weekly )

“Starred review. Though Montgomery obviously knows his science, he also knows how to write, so this isn't just history of science. It's literature.” (Ray Olson - Booklist )

“Examining a wide variety of flood and creation stories across centuries, Montgomery provides an enthusiastic and valuable recounting of the history of geology and how the advances in science have consistently faced opposition from the guardians of so-called religious authority, based on a literal reading of the Bible.” (Kirkus Reviews )

“Montgomery... offers a thorough critique of creationist worldviews... while treating his opponents with respect, reflecting on both ancient and modern debates and demonstrating that Christians have been arguing among themselves about these subjects for millennia. ...The combination of historical study and humility on behalf of geology makes for an extremely persuasive work. Highly recommended.” (John M. Kistler - Library Journal )

“A MacArthur Fellow presents a surprising perspective on Noah's Flood by interrogating the rock strata in a roadbed in Kentucky.” (Publishers Weekly )

About the Author

David R. Montgomery is a professor of geomorphology at the University of Washington in Seattle, where he lives. The author of Dirt and King of Fish, he was a 2008 MacArthur Fellow.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company; First Edition edition (August 27, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393082393
• ISBN-13: 978-0393082395
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 1 x 9.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (54 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #249,735 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

David R. Montgomery was born in 1961 Stanford, California, and studied geology at Stanford University before earning his Ph.D. in geomorphology at UC Berkeley. He teaches at the University of Washington where he studies the evolution of topography and how geological processes shape landscapes and influence ecological systems. He loved maps as a kid and now writes about the relationship of people to their environment and other things that interest him. In 2008 he was named a MacArthur Fellow. He lives with his wife Anne in Seattle, Washington.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

73 of 79 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A history of the idea, with sympathetic views towards Christians September 16, 2012

By Geo in Indiana

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I am a geologist, so I was already aware of a lot of this material - but by no means all of it. The science is presented in very clear language and is accurate. The history is also presented clearly. Not being an historian, I really appreciate the extensive bibliography!

The impressive thing about this book, though, is that it doesn't pour fuel on the arguments of those who insist on making religion and science conflict. Throughout, it spells out the origin and timing of competing beliefs about a global deluge, pointing out why many Christians see no contradictions, and why others find the arguments of geologists to be an attack on their faith. The author clearly makes the argument that Christianity has informed and guided science, and that scientific evidence has informed and guided Christianity.

Is this book necessary? Sadly, it is. There are still many people who dismiss religion as scientific heresy, and those who dismiss science as religious heresy. As a person who has worked with those who dismiss religion, I can tell you that they would benefit from reading this book with an open mind. As a person who teaches in a part of the USA where many people dismiss science, I can tell you that they, too, would benefit. This book will never be considered seriously by the most extreme of either camp (see other reviews for evidence of this).

I heartily recommend this book to anyone who wants a deeper understanding of both the argument some make for Noah's Flood, and the argument that science and religion cannot peacefully - and beneficially - coexist.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Rock Solid Book October 24, 2012

By J. Gomez TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

The Rocks Don't Lie: A Geologist Investigates Noah's Flood by David Montgomery

"The Rocks Don't Lie" is an interesting historical journey through the world's flood stories and how the Bible's greatest story influenced geology. Dr. David R. Montgomery, a professor of geology at the University of Washington and the author of "The King of Fish: The Thousand Year Run of the Salmon: and "Dirt: The Erosion of Civilizations" takes the reader on an explorative ride that focuses on Noah's flood and geology. This well written 320-page book is composed of the following thirteen chapters: 1. Buddha's Dam, 2. A Grand Canyon, 3. Bones in the Mountains, 4. World in Ruins, 5. A Mammoth Problem, 6. The Test of Time, 7. Catastrophic Revelations, 8. Fragmented Stories, 9. Recycled Tales, 10. Dinosaurs in Paradise, 11. The Heretic's Flood, 12. Phantom Deluge and 13. The Nature of Faith.

Positives:
1. Well written, very respectful prose. "Solid" science writing.
2. Accessible book for the masses.
3. The conflict between reason and faith handled with the utmost respect and care. The author does not disrespect opposing views.
4. This book's main focus is the historical interplay between biblical interpretation and the development of geology. It's the ultimate struggle to understand who we are and the rocks do the speaking.
5. The author's specialty is geomorphology, the study of processes that create and shape topography. His perspectives revolve around his expertise and thus provide the impetus that drives this book forward.
6. The conflict between creationists and the denial of modern geology. "In defending an interpretation of God's word contradicted by geological evidence, creationists abandon a long-standing belief that rocks don't lie...." The author makes it very clear that most early geologists were in fact members of the clergy. The history of the conflict. Interesting stuff.
7. The author presents throughout the book those areas that are problematic for creationists.
8. Some of earth's greatest treasures are used as a background in understanding what the rocks are telling us. The Grand Canyon is a classic favorite. "A single enormous flood simply can't explain the geology of the Grand Canyon."
9. One of the strengths of this book is going through the most compelling arguments and theories in favor a biblical great flood through the years and the counter arguments that ultimately debunked them. The struggle of early Christian scientists to understand geology through the eyes of biblical glasses.
10. The author carefully goes over the history of internal conflicts of biblical interpretation as it relates to theologians. The greatest religious minds are referenced such as Aquinas, Augustine, Luther, Calvin and Origen as examples.
11. What the rocks say and the scientists who were able to understand the language of geology. The historical contributions to geology.
12. Geology, Noah's Flood, world fossils and evolution. The mammoth.
13. Catastrophism versus uniformitarianism. New theories introduced to "justify" the biblical account of the Great Flood. Day-age and gap theories.
14. Thought-provoking historical quotes, "Lyell was echoing Augustine in believing that it would be hard to convince rational men to follow a religion that denied things one could see for oneself."
15. A fascinating look at the age and origins of the biblical flood story. Recycled stories. I'm not going to spoil it. Great stuff.
16. The author does a wonderful job of going through just enough biblical scripture to keep the narrative dare I say it, flowing nicely. Biblical issues.
17. A look at global flood stories from different cultures.
18. Creationism and the problem with biblical inerrancy and how it relates to the Great Flood and evolution. The roots of modern creationism.
19. New scientific tools that helped debunk flood geology. Along with evidence from completely different approaches.
20. The author spends a chapter on how scientists can fail to see evidence when they are "sure" it doesn't exist.
21. The keys to understanding modern creationist thinking. Some of the most compelling arguments against the Great Flood including one involving Mount Ararat.
22. Excellent links and an extensive bibliography.

Negatives:
1. It's a matter of preference. Montgomery's writing style is very good and polite almost to a fault; I prefer more passion, panache and conviction.
2. More visual aids would have added value to the book. Some of the illustrations were helpful but I would have liked to have seen tables and charts that summarized findings, the consensus of the scientists per era, etc...
3. A brief discussion of the scientific method as it relates to geology would have helped the layperson.
4. An appendix on carbon dating and all the different methods would have been helpful. A reference chart never hurts.
5. A book of this ilk warranted more geological maps.
6. Finally, I would have like a table of modern creationist views versus the consensus of geological findings.

In summary, I enjoyed this book. Dr. Montgomery is an excellent writer who is able to skillfully educate the public on the science of geology while immersing the reader in his narrative. My main criticism is the lack of tables and charts that would have added value to this otherwise wonderful book. I would also have liked more conviction and spice behind the words, too polite for my taste. That said the author succeeds in providing the reader with an interesting historical interplay between the biblical interpretation and the development of geology. I highly recommend this book!

Further suggestions: "The Age of Everything: How Science Explores the Past" by Mathew Hedman, "Written in Stone: Evolution, the Fossil Record, and Our Place in Nature" by Vryan Switek, "Evolution: What the Fossils Say and Why It Matters" by Donald R. Prothero, "Fool Me Twice: Fighting the Assault on Science in America" by Shawn Lawrence Otto, "Lies, Damned Lies, and Science: How to Sort Through the Noise Around Global Warming, the Latest Health Claims, and Other Scientific Controversies" by Sherry Seethaler, "Evolution vs. Creationism: An Introduction" by Eugenie Scott, "Tales of the Rational" by Massimo Pigliucci, "The Bible Unearthed: Archaeology's New Vision of Ancient Israel and the Origin of Its Sacred Texts" by Israel Finkelstein and Neil Asher Silberman, "Why People Believe Weird Things: Pseudoscience, Superstition, and Other Confusions of Our Time" by Michael Shermer, "Why Evolution Works (and Creationism Fails)" by Matt Young and "Why Evolution Is True" by Jerry A. Coyne. Read more ›

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting book! November 27, 2012

By Pamela M Shields

Format:Hardcover

Great book! Fascinating history on geology and its origins. Those fascinated by earth's formation will find this book intriguing. Also, Christians who believe in old earth will appreciate this book as well.

40 of 56 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Much Ado About Not Very Much September 15, 2012

By Highlander

Format:Hardcover

The Rocks Don't Lie (RDL) was presented as geologist's recounting of mythical flood stories, their basis in geology, and their relation to Noah's Flood. I was looking forward to a popular geology treatise that did exactly that ... educated me about great geological floods and their linkage to various flood stories in different cultures, particularly Noah's Flood. I got a quite different book.

RDL is, rather, a gentle debunking of the Noah's Flood myth that lasts chapter after chapter after chapter. It is also a debunking of creationists, whom Montgomery gently hoists on a spit and slow roasts for almost 300 pages of text. In this sense, Montgomery creates a straw man who he then pummels over and over, bemused that the creationists can still hold to their religious beliefs in spite of evidence to the contrary. To his credit, he does distinguish the creationist thread of religious thought from the mainstream of Catholic and Protestant doctrine.

Montgomery presents a detailed and convincing cultural history of the role of Noah's Flood and its place in the history of geology...so RDL is really a history of how the evolving science of geology had to address the commonly accepted belief in the Flood. As a mixed cultural history and history of geology, RDL might be of interest to those fascinated by mixed cultural and scientific histories. It was not nearly as fascinating to someone who was looking for a presentation of the geology of great floods and their impact upon the earth and its early humans.

Although tidbits of the geology of great floods had been presented, it was not until the next-to-last chapter, that RDL actually gets to a brief overview of large geological floods.... This meat of his story (the reason I chose to read it) is very interesting but only skims the topic. And he presents almost no factual or speculative information of the impact of these floods on humankind. Its a shame. Montgomery is a very good writer and makes geology interesting and understandable. I'd look for an actual geology text of his to read ... rather than RDL.

So, three stars. RDL was not as advertised. It is a scientist pillorying an already discredited and marginal belief in the literal truth of Noah's flood -- through a readable history of the interaction of an evolving science with an established, though changing, religious truism. Read more ›