The Cruise of the Betsey

“The pleasant month of July had again come round, and for full five weeks I was free” – so begins this delightful little tome on the expeditions of self-taught geologist Hugh Miller. Though Mr. Miller himself was a rather tragic figure who struggled to reconcile his faith with his scientific bent, his writing bears no trace of the darkness that preoccupied him towards the end of his life. Instead, this book is written in a lively, engaging style that reads less like the field notes of a scientist and more like an adventure story complete with references to Roman history and hyperbolic similes. And yet, Mr. Miller took pains to minutely detail his explorations throughout Scotland, noting particular types of rocks and fissures, the length and breadth of caves, and the geological history of the different regions. After reading this work, the reader will likely gain a deeper appreciation of Scotland – and the charming Mr. Miller.