Snowball Earth traces the latest theory to send shockwaves through the geological community. Controversial theories in geology are not new (plate tectonics, and the extinction of the dinosaurs are two that come to mind), and a thorough understanding of the different sides in the debate of these new theories is needed to make sure the theory stands the tests of time and scientific scrutiny. The debates over new theories take place in the scientific journals, at scientific conferences, on field trips, and in the press. A good book about a theory presented for the lay-people can help educate the masses on the various points, pro and con, for the new theory. Unfortunately, Gabrielle Walkers book falls short on this ideal.
Snowball Earth is a semi-biography of the men that have postulated the 'Snowball Earth' theory, who have championed it in the scientific community and who have weathered the storm of debates and controversy over the various parts of the theory. The book opens, and mostly follows, the work of Paul Hoffman who put the many pieces of the puzzle together into the theory that became 'Snowball Earth'. Subsequent chapters focus on other players in the Snowball Earth drama. Brian Harland whose work in Svalbard, Norway leads Walker to dub him "the grandfather of the Snowball" and Joe Kirschvink whose skill with magnets and paleomagnetism helped prove the position of the continents in the tropics at the time of the Snowball. All played a role in bringing life to the Snowball Earth theory and Walker holds each high for the reader to esteem and praise.
Opponents of the Snowball Earth theory are given their due, but each is treated like a cameo character in a movie whose sole role is to come and challenge the hero in the white hat and fall away under the truth of the hero's cause. Scientists like Nick Christie-Blick of the Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory at Columbia University and Martin Kennedy of the University of California, Riverside, are each paraded before the reader to give their opposition to the Snowball Earth theory. The data and counter-evidence collected by these and other geologists has sparked the heated debate over the Snowball Earth theory almost from its inception. In the end though, each is somehow shown to actually provide evidence that supports the Snowball Earth theory.
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