DEVIL IN THE MOUNTAIN: A Search for the Origin of the Andes

Lamb, a geologist at Oxford University, melds geological theory and personal observation as he delves into the multilayered mystery of the origin of the Andes. Chapter by chapter, he explores each of the properties of the rocks that make up the earth's surface or an aspect of the planetary forces that contributed to the evolution of the great mountain range. But while the book is presented as a personal scientific journey, the author's dry writing fails to convey his excitement as he begins, literally, to unearth his subject. He does succeed at giving a clear, solid lecture on geological theory and practice with a few personal snapshots of the unseen hazards of fieldwork and occasional local color. Everything is well explained in straightforward language, and each chapter builds logically on what came before. But Lamb has a frustrating habit of implying repeatedly that all will be revealed—but not yet. At the conclusion, using everything that he has taught the reader, Lamb narratively builds up the Andes, starting from the great Ice Age, when they began to form, and moving through their evolution and the effect they've had in turn on the evolution of the rest of the planet, including our own species. While this work may not engage many readers, those interested in geology will find it informative and its conclusion satisfying as it dramatically demonstrates all that Lamb has demonstrated. 36 b&w photos, 38 line illus. (May)