Summary:
The book is a compilation of geological history and personal narratives, exploring the formation and features of the North American continent through cross-country trips along Interstate 80. It intertwines detailed descriptions of rocks and landscapes with the stories of the geologists who study them, providing a deep time perspective on the earth's evolution.
Key points:
1. Geological Time: McPhee uses a clock metaphor to illustrate Earth's billion-year history.
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