Stone Breaker

"Stone Breaker is a fascinating and beautifully written biography. Using the unusual mind of James Gates Percival as an exemplar, Kathleen Housley deftly weaves together the science, art, and literature of early 19th century New England. A wonderful read."—Robert M. Thorson, author of Stone by Stone and professor of Geosciences, University of Connecticut

"A wonderful, carefully researched biography of this deeply impressive, multidisciplinary intellectual."—John Hay, associate professor, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

"Stone Breaker is a lively and engaging biography of a fascinating man. This is a captivating portrait of a brilliant and relentless geologist and polymath whose work helped lay the foundation for generations of Earth scientists working in New England."—Maureen D. Long, Bruce D. Alexander '65 Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Yale University

"Housley's insightful and readable biography illuminates the potent combination of poetry and science that defined Percival's undeservedly neglected life and works, offering a new perspective on this critical moment when the true scale of the earth's history was coming into focus."—Clare Stainthorp, author of Constance Naden: Scientist, Philosopher, Poet