Edward T. Luther was a native Tennessean whose professional career as a geologist and personal interest in writing pointed him toward the preparation of this book. After receiving his advanced degree in geology from Vanderbilt University in 1951, he came to know the Volunteer State intimately--first as a team member of the Tennessee Geological Survey and later as supervisor of the Survey's research program and as State Geologist of Tennessee. He was also an avid reader of fiction and enjoyed applying writing skills to his technical knowledge in order to make the fascinating science of the earth available to a wider audience.