Book excerpt: Geology professor Willsey aims to inspire more Idahoans and visitors to take an interest in one of the most compelling and fascinating regions of the earth. He aims to bridge the gap between geologists and the interested public by passing along a collection of fascinating stories told by southern Idaho's rocks and landscapes. Southern Idaho's geologic history spans about 2.5 billion years--more than half that of the Earth. Chapters represent a sampling of the unique geologic features that formed during this immense amount of time. Willsey selects accessible locations that are exceptional in terms of either location or geologic history. --Publisher.