Principles of Geology
The contention of the rival factions of the Vulcanists and Neptunists had been carried to such a height, that these names had become terms of reproach, and the two parties had been less occupied in searching for truth, than for such arguments as might strengthen their own cause, or serve to annoy their antagonists.— Charles Lyell, Principles of Geology, Volume I, Page 71.
Or Republicans vs. Democrats, or vi vs. emacs, or other—innumerable—dualistic debates. A difficult read due to the archaic prose and sheer breadth of the text. Lyell’s dregs and sediments, as the wheelwright would have it, by necessity goes into great detail of the “causes now in operation” to establish uniformitarianism. Contrast this prose with the visual style in The Orphan Tsunami of 1700, replete with diagrams, photos, and prose. I find my eye wandering over these pages, absorbing information and relationships, a very different experience than Lyell.