The Milankovitch astronomical theory of the ice ages postulates variations in obliquity (Earth axis tilt) paces the formation of glaciers/ice sheets. His dilemma was whether decreasing tilt resulting in cooler Northern Hemisphere summers or increasing tilt producing colder winters delivered the glaciation. Upon advice from climatologist Vladimir Köppen, decreasing obliquity was chosen as cooler summers reduced the melting of prior winter snow leading to permanent snow. The theory has general acceptance but includes inconsistencies with the paleoclimate record. I make the case for Earth orbit eccentricity as the pacing parameter by defining eccentricity-based cold and warm seasons whose increasing contrasts during increasing eccentricity produce globally lower insolation for glaciation with albedo acting as a catalyst. Both cooler summers and colder winters provide glaciation unlike the Milankovitch theory that restricts glaciation to cooler summers. Inconsistencies resolved seamlessly include the “100-thousand-year problem”, hemispheric symmetry and the “Stage 11 problem.”