A reasonable brief discussion of the life of James Hutton in relation to the Scottish Enlightenment. Geologists know Hutton as one of the founding fathers of the science and any student of history is aware of the giants of the Scottish Enlightenment (Watt, Hume, etc.). No new ground is covered ( except perhaps the brief discussion of Hutton's illegitimate son). If you have never heard of Hutton or some of the other Enlightenment scientist, this book is a good introduction. One issue not discussed at any length concerns Hutton's fascination on the origins of granites. The Geologic Society of America (GSA) hold periodic scientific meetings on the origins of granite called the Hutton Symposiums (yes there is still debate on the origins of granite).