The Age of the Earth (Paperback)

~ G. Dalrymple (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

“...Dalrymple authoritatively unfolds the evidence for an Earth that is billions of years old.”—Science & Theology News

Product Description

Accessible to scientist and general reader alike, this definitive history and synthesis serves as a complete source of information for all of the methods, ancient and modern, used to derive the age of the earth.

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Product Details Paperback: 492 pages Publisher: Stanford University Press; 1 edition (February 1, 1994) Language: English ISBN-10: 0804723311 ISBN-13: 978-0804723312 Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.1 inches Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #638,283 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Look Inside This Book

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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover

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Citations (learn more)

56 books cite this book:

• The Counter-Creationism Handbook by Mark Isaak on 6 pages
• Time's Pendulum: The Quest to Capture Time--From Sundials to Atomic Clocks by Jo Ellen Barnett on 5 pages
• Time's Pendulum: From Sundials to Atomic Clocks, the Fascinating History of Timekeeping and How Our Discoveries Changed the World by Jo Ellen Barnett on 4 pages
• Science and Faith: Friends or Foes? by C. John Collins on 4 pages
• Finding Darwin's God: A Scientist's Search for Common Ground Between God and Evolution by Kenneth R. Miller on page 75, Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)

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Customer Reviews

13 Reviews 5 star:  (7) 4 star:  (2) 3 star:  (2) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:  (2)           Average Customer Review 3.9 out of 5 stars (13 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 32 of 37 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Masterfully Written and Definitive, March 28, 2001 By A Customer Dalrymple presents the overwhelming evidence for the age of the Earth, Moon, and Solar system in such well documented and critical manner, that it leaves NO room for doubt about the validity of radiometric dating. Contrary to young earth creationist's childish ravings, he builds a case that leaves no avenues for any other conclusion. When creationists say you must have read the "relevant" literature, they mean the writings of such people as Morris and Hovind. Unfortunately for them the relevant literature is all referenced in Dalrympl's book and he has done a OUTSTANDING job at simplifying it for both scientist and layperson. He gives sufficient references that anyone who wishes can pursue any topic on their own. He chronicles the early attempts and a variety of approaches used to date. He goes on to clearly explain how modern radiometric methods work and some of the problems that have been overcome. He then shows the direct evidence for the ages of the Earth from a plethora of independent studies over the past and the consistent, and reliable dates they provide. He then goes on to the dating of the Moon rocks and their concordance with those of the Earth. Next he discusses meteorites, the use of the lead isotope method, the evidence from the distribution of elements in the universe, and finally wraps it up with a chapter on what we know and don't know. The conclusion after reading this book is undeniable. There is no doubt that the Earth is at least about 4.5 billion years old. This book is a must read for anyone who wants to argue credibly about the age of the Earth. 35 of 41 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars How do we know? We STUDIED it to death., March 14, 2005 By  Bobby R. Treat "DrMajorBob" (Round Rock, TX United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    Amazon Verified Purchase Chapters 1 to 3 were great. I'm a mathematician myself, but I do think Dalrymple presented the math simply enough that most readers can understand or just skip it without serious damage. The "isochron" methods depict the solution of complex problems in comparatively simple graphical terms, and the underlying radiochemistry is clear enough, although the details are beyond a non-specialist (as they should be). Chapter 4, on the other hand, was far too laden down with terminology. There must be 50 words for different igneous rocks alone, and a neophyte will see no method (or reason) to distinguish between them. I kept wanting to hear verbs to go with the nouns and adjectives. The word "metamorphic" (and various synonyms) appeared a thousand times, with very few clues on what HAPPENED to cause metamorphism. Nevertheless, I was able to learn a great deal, despite these frustrations. I was fascinated to hear in Chapter 5 that, by 1975, over 30 thousand pages of scientific research had already been published on moon rocks. That's a lot of serious study for 382 kg of rocks -- which is quite a bit more than I thought, at that. The chief "problem" with the book is also its great virtue. Dozens of radiometric methods and the analysis (in some detail) of hundreds of rocks are discussed, when a few examples would suffice for most readers. This gets very soporific after a while. But the many, many examples and the exhaustive chronology reveal how imaginative but sometimes wrong researchers have been, and how tirelessly other researchers have triple-checked their work until finding the errors and developing more trustworthy methods. It is also clear that reliable methods have been checked copiously against the results of other methods, until there can be little doubt about the general results. One cannot read this book honestly, I think, and go away believing a few scientists conspired to come up with false answers just to please themselves. In the Preface, Dalrymple makes the point that geochemists and geophysicists (for example) can barely read each other's specialty literature, despite the close connections. It takes experts in those areas and many others, working together, to seriously evaluate details of the models and results presented in this book. That being so, it's incredible that so many non-scientists (or sometimes scientists in very unconnected fields) have the unmitigated gall to attack the findings of professionals for any reason, but especially when motivated by their interpretation of the writings of unwashed, uneducated, long-dead "prophets". It truly boggles the mind. 17 of 19 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars Good General Introduction to Radiometric Dating, July 17, 2001 By  Kevin R. Henke (Lexington, KY) - See all my reviews Dalrymple's book provides a good summary of earlier failed attempts to date the Earth with non-radiometric methods and the later successful development of radiometric dating. The book has a strong emphasis on the dating of Moon rocks and meteorites, which are relatively simple systems. Because the intended audience is laypeople, the book is non-technical and does not discuss complicated situations. For individuals that desire more technical discussions, there are a number of good textbooks and available journals that demonstrate that even complicated rocks may be successfully dated with radiometric methods.		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 4.0 out of 5 stars Good but updated in a later book An updated version of this book is Ancient Earth, Ancient Skies: The Age of Earth and its Cosmic Surroundings. Read more Published 2 months ago by David C. Bossard 5.0 out of 5 stars The History of and the Evidence for the Age of the Earth G. Dalrymple has done a wonderful job in writing such a technical work on the history and direct data for the current estimate of the age of the Earth being 4. Read more Published 16 months ago by F. Ramos 1.0 out of 5 stars What nonsense! "The Earth is approximately 4.5 billion years old", says the author. Here are the problems I have with that: 1. Who was around 4. Read more Published on November 13, 2006 by snackdaddy 3.0 out of 5 stars Perhaps too technical for intended audience On one hand, yes I know radiometric dating is a fairly complex topic and perhaps can only be "dumbed-down" so far. Read more Published on August 13, 2001 by Paul Doland 5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic Dalrymple's "Age of the Earth" was a classic when it was published, and now that it is in paperback, it will be more accessible to the general reader or the student. Read more Published on April 26, 2000 1.0 out of 5 stars Rosy Mis-Portrayal of Isotopic Dating Dalrymple does an excellent job of presenting isotopic dating as factual. In particular, he would have us believe that dating results converge on 4.5 billion years. Read more Published on January 14, 2000 by a biologist/geologist 5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent science writing I had long known that rocks were dated by measuring the levels of radioactive elements and their decay products, but I had also realized that that by itself couldn't determine an... Read more Published on September 7, 1999 3.0 out of 5 stars The same information could be given in much less space. The first few chapters are marred by religious intolerance. Mr Dalrymple portrays christians as an impediment to the advancement of science while ignoring the contributions of... Read more Published on June 27, 1998 by [e-mail] Dr. G. V. Hill MD 5.0 out of 5 stars Give this to your young-earth friends I am a Christian, and I have a high view of the Bible. I also have a high view of nature, as it is God's creation. God made the rocks, just as He wrote the Bible. Read more Published on May 2, 1998 by [e-mail] 5.0 out of 5 stars spectacular! How old is the Earth? Dalrymple gives the answer, 4.54 billion years, in the Preface. The rest of the book is a patient, thorough, clear, and utterly compelling account of how... Read more Published on December 19, 1996 Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Paperback: 492 pages
• Publisher: Stanford University Press; 1 edition (February 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0804723311
• ISBN-13: 978-0804723312
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #638,283 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Masterfully Written and Definitive, March 28, 2001

By A Customer

Dalrymple presents the overwhelming evidence for the age of the Earth, Moon, and Solar system in such well documented and critical manner, that it leaves NO room for doubt about the validity of radiometric dating. Contrary to young earth creationist's childish ravings, he builds a case that leaves no avenues for any other conclusion. When creationists say you must have read the "relevant" literature, they mean the writings of such people as Morris and Hovind. Unfortunately for them the relevant literature is all referenced in Dalrympl's book and he has done a OUTSTANDING job at simplifying it for both scientist and layperson. He gives sufficient references that anyone who wishes can pursue any topic on their own.

He chronicles the early attempts and a variety of approaches used to date. He goes on to clearly explain how modern radiometric methods work and some of the problems that have been overcome. He then shows the direct evidence for the ages of the Earth from a plethora of independent studies over the past and the consistent, and reliable dates they provide. He then goes on to the dating of the Moon rocks and their concordance with those of the Earth. Next he discusses meteorites, the use of the lead isotope method, the evidence from the distribution of elements in the universe, and finally wraps it up with a chapter on what we know and don't know.

The conclusion after reading this book is undeniable. There is no doubt that the Earth is at least about 4.5 billion years old. This book is a must read for anyone who wants to argue credibly about the age of the Earth.

35 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How do we know? We STUDIED it to death., March 14, 2005

By	Bobby R. Treat "DrMajorBob" (Round Rock, TX United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

Chapters 1 to 3 were great. I'm a mathematician myself, but I do think Dalrymple presented the math simply enough that most readers can understand or just skip it without serious damage. The "isochron" methods depict the solution of complex problems in comparatively simple graphical terms, and the underlying radiochemistry is clear enough, although the details are beyond a non-specialist (as they should be).

Chapter 4, on the other hand, was far too laden down with terminology. There must be 50 words for different igneous rocks alone, and a neophyte will see no method (or reason) to distinguish between them. I kept wanting to hear verbs to go with the nouns and adjectives. The word "metamorphic" (and various synonyms) appeared a thousand times, with very few clues on what HAPPENED to cause metamorphism. Nevertheless, I was able to learn a great deal, despite these frustrations.

I was fascinated to hear in Chapter 5 that, by 1975, over 30 thousand pages of scientific research had already been published on moon rocks. That's a lot of serious study for 382 kg of rocks -- which is quite a bit more than I thought, at that.

The chief "problem" with the book is also its great virtue. Dozens of radiometric methods and the analysis (in some detail) of hundreds of rocks are discussed, when a few examples would suffice for most readers. This gets very soporific after a while.

But the many, many examples and the exhaustive chronology reveal how imaginative but sometimes wrong researchers have been, and how tirelessly other researchers have triple-checked their work until finding the errors and developing more trustworthy methods. It is also clear that reliable methods have been checked copiously against the results of other methods, until there can be little doubt about the general results. One cannot read this book honestly, I think, and go away believing a few scientists conspired to come up with false answers just to please themselves.

In the Preface, Dalrymple makes the point that geochemists and geophysicists (for example) can barely read each other's specialty literature, despite the close connections. It takes experts in those areas and many others, working together, to seriously evaluate details of the models and results presented in this book.

That being so, it's incredible that so many non-scientists (or sometimes scientists in very unconnected fields) have the unmitigated gall to attack the findings of professionals for any reason, but especially when motivated by their interpretation of the writings of unwashed, uneducated, long-dead "prophets".

It truly boggles the mind.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good General Introduction to Radiometric Dating, July 17, 2001

By	Kevin R. Henke (Lexington, KY) - See all my reviews

Dalrymple's book provides a good summary of earlier failed attempts to date the Earth with non-radiometric methods and the later successful development of radiometric dating. The book has a strong emphasis on the dating of Moon rocks and meteorites, which are relatively simple systems. Because the intended audience is laypeople, the book is non-technical and does not discuss complicated situations. For individuals that desire more technical discussions, there are a number of good textbooks and available journals that demonstrate that even complicated rocks may be successfully dated with radiometric methods.