Before the 1890s(I think or the 1950s) It was common knowledge that the earth was thousands of years old. Since then "reliable science" has said millions, tens of millions, billions, then tens of billions. Like oh okay so you don't know, but you're just moving it.

Secondly, what dating methods is science using? Soil samples? Radioactive decay?

Def not in a book, You know I can't read 😡