How the Earth Feels: Geological Fantasy in the Nineteenth-Century United States by Dana Luciano (review).

The main focus of the text is Dana Luciano's book, *How the Earth Feels: Geological Fantasy in the Nineteenth-Century United States*, which explores the intersection of geology and humanity's understanding of its place within geological history during the antebellum United States. Luciano examines how geological writings and events shaped perceptions of race, colonialism, and human agency, revealing a dual impact: optimizing white settler identities while marginalizing racialized groups as "fossil others." The book introduces the concept of "geological fantasy," highlighting imaginative responses to the challenges posed by deep time and species extinction, and connects these historical debates to contemporary discussions about the Anthropocene and climate change. Through a diverse range of sources, Luciano critiques the ways geology has reinforced social hierarchies while also uncovering alternative narratives of agency and resistance. [Extracted from the article]