This book provides a commentary into how the science of geomorphology has developed since the 18th Century. The emphasis is on key episodes and individual scientists who are perceived to have contributed to the understanding of Earth surface processes and the resultant morphology of planet Earth.

The book begins with a succinct account of how scientific explanations (paradigms) are invented and some of the problems that are inherent with paradigm shifts. References are made to key natural philosophers (e.g. Kuhn/Popper) and the scientific principles/methodologies to which Earth scientists typically adhere. These philosophical and scientific principles are well illustrated with numerous examples of major geoscience paradigms (e.g. continental drift) and in my opinion make this chapter one of the more accessible introductions to the scientific methodology of geosciences around.

Early chapters of the book try to tackle some of the important questions that early geoscientists in the 18th and 19th centuries grappled with. For example, the uncertainties concerning the age and origin of the Earth are eloquently presented, outlining the initial influence and conflict with religious beliefs and their contrasts with the physical and natural scientific approaches of scientists such as Buffon, Hutton, Lyell and Kelvin (Chapter 2). Material is written with a balanced perspective and the reader certainly gets a feel for a time of scientific debate littered with claims, dismissals and counter claims. Hutton and Lyell receive a fairly detailed treatment (Chapter 3), outlining the geomorphological context of their theories and principles that are now perceived to be the birth of modern Earth sciences. The role of ice and its associated climate changes for sculpting landscapes is highlighted using the work of Louis Aggasiz (Chapter 4). The contributions of Charles Darwin to geomorphology (Chapter 5) are stated as ‘genius’ based upon his numerous observations of the forces of glacial, fluvial and marine agents for landscape erosion and not just his work on evolution.

The middle part of the book documents the advances that took place during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, most notably driven by American geomorphologists. Chapter 6 examines the contributions of Gilbert and Powell through their expeditions and research into the fluvial landscapes of the American Southwest. The ‘geographical’ cycle of erosion by William Morris Davis is examined in Chapter 7, highlighting the influences of Darwinism for ascribing evolutionary stages of landscape development, although alternative landscape development models could have received a little more attention (Penck, King, etc.).

The last part of the book gives a 20th Century perspective on geomorphological advances, focussing upon Anglo-American fluvial geomorphology and hydrology, with only brief acknowledgements of other major paradigm shifts within the Earth Sciences such as absolute dating techniques, plate tectonics, climate changes and planetary geomorphology. Emphasis is given to the work of Horton and Strahler, who made significant advances in understanding slope and fluvial catchment processes and forms using a ‘reductionist’ approach, much of which is perceived to be a reaction to the work of W. M Davis. However, these latter parts of the book slightly disappoint and one could question whether some of the individuals and subjects tackled are truly responsible (or even could be) for driving contemporary geomorphological paradigm shifts. Only time will tell. That said, I feel there are some omissions from the late 20th Century. Geomorphological research seems to be revisiting the tenets of long term and large scale landscape development, with Earth scientists grappling with the relationships between the tectonic forcing of climate change and vice-versa, with the routine application of cosmogenic isotopes to quantify rates of erosion and surface exposure.

Overall though, this is an excellent book and is recommended to all geosciences students, academics and researchers. It is well written with a dry English sense of humour that makes an accessible and sometimes amusing read. The book made me want to read more about the history of geosciences and anything that does that must be good!