Menard begins with the leading hypotheses such as that the earth expands and the supporting evidence for each He traces the crucial work of the 1960s year by year as researchers debated hypotheses in correspondence and at frequent meetings Throughout the book Professor Menard considers the implications of his story for the sociology of science and the goals of scientific research Originally published in 1986 The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print on demand technology to again make available previously out of print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905