Product Description
This volume is produced from digital images created through the University of Michigan University Library's large-scale digitization efforts. The Library seeks to preserve the intellectual content of items in a manner that facilitates and promotes a variety of uses. The digital reformatting process results in an electronic version of the original text that can be both accessed online and used to create new print copies. The Library also understands and values the usefulness of print and makes reprints available to the public whenever possible. This book and hundreds of thousands of others can be found in the HathiTrust, an archive of the digitized collections of many great research libraries. For access to the University of Michigan Library's digital collections, please see http://www.lib.umich.edu and for information about the HathiTrust, please visit http://www.hathitrust.org ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Little detail!
More of a travel guide. Little detail on geology if you are a student or deeply interested. Covers too big an area to do it well.

Long on hikes, short on geology
I delighted in using Ellen Bishop's Hiking Oregon's Geology and Scott Babcock and Robert J. Carson's Hiking Washington's Geology. I expected this book to provide similar detailed geological descriptions along the hikes.No such luck!This book takes you to the great geological examples but falls short on geological explanations.There are nice references to the history of settlement and early mining, however.

Happy Trails to You
The doctor adivsed me to walk at least one hour a day for my health.I found the gym quite boring, so I walked outdoors instead of on a treadmill.I discovered that I really enjoyed nature but did not have the endurance marathons.So, when I found the easy-to-read and easy-to-understand GEOLOGY TRAILS OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, I found a solution to my problem.The maps are simple, the locations are gorgeous, and I am healthier.I am wealthier, too, as it has kept me out of the casinos.

Bonanza of Beauty
I didn't even know I was a geology buff until I bought this hiking book.It gives you information about over a hundred trails in California that have fascinating and gorgeous scenery.I never thought of rocks as very interesting before, but now I am thinking of taking geology, as this book has changed my mind.The book is very detailed and written in a quite approachable style.The authors have clearly hiked these trails and, reading about them, you feel like you are really there.When you actually do go there, it is even better.

Wow!Who Knew!
I was blown away to find out how many really fascinating geological sites there are in California.And they are almost all really easy to get to, not that remote.I am looking foward to taking the kids on these trails.Very fun way to get an education.Also, the authors talk about everything you can see along the way, not just the geology.This book is going to keep us on the move for a long time, I can tell. ... Read more

Product Description
Rose Leonard is on the run from her life. Taking refuge in a remote island community, she cocoons herself in work, silence and solitude in a house by the sea. But she is haunted by her past, by memories and desires she'd hoped were long dead. Rose must decide whether she has in fact chosen a new life or just a different kind of death. Life and love are offered by new friends, her lonely daughter, and most of all Calum, a fragile younger man who has his own demons to exorcise. But does Rose, with her tenuous hold on life and sanity, have the courage to say yes to life and put her past behind her? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Angieville: EMOTIONAL GEOLOGY
Just two weeks ago I read Linda Gillard's most recent novel Star Gazing. Though I had somewhat mixed feelings on the ending, I loved the writing and the characters so very much that I was absolutely set on tracking down a copy of Gillard's first book EMOTIONAL GEOLOGY. Unfortunately, it's not readily available on this side of the pond and, the Ville funds being what they are, I wasn't sure just how soon I'd be able to procure a copy. Then what should happen but the very kind Ms. Gillard contacted me and offered up a copy for review! I eagerly accepted and the book showed up a very short while later. And the thing is, I dropped everything to read it. Read it that very night, in fact. In one solid chunk. I had things to do, sleep to get, work to wake up for, and yet none of it mattered and nothing could tear me away from this breathtaking story. Published in 2005, EMOTIONAL GEOLOGY is the first of Linda Gillard's three novels and I'm in awe that it is her debut. In her own words:

***

I decided I'd write a book for grown-ups--a thinking-woman's romance that dealt with real issues, had believable characters, a yummy hero, but no easy answers. I made my heroine--as a matter of principle--47. This was suicide in terms of finding a publisher, but I didn't care--I was writing to amuse myself.

***

Don't you want to read that book? Now? It's downright refreshing. And intriguing to boot. In short, I was all over it.

Rose Leonard came to the windswept island of North Uist off the coast of Scotland to be alone. After recovering from a breakdown, spending time in a mental institution, time talking to psychiatrists, time adjusting medication dosages, she made the command decision to go away. Away from the past, from the pain, even away from her somewhat estranged daughter Megan, and try to recapture her creative drive. As a textile artist, she thrives on inspiration and she hopes this remote yet stunning location will simultaneously feed that need as well as shelter her a bit from the daily reminders, anxieties, and pressures that so often threaten her. Living in a almost completely bare cottage in a tiny village, she sits at her table and gazes out the window to the water and she breathes in and out. She writes letters to her daughter explaining her choice. And slowly she ventures out to meet the locals. Through a kind neighbor whom she develops a friendship with, Rose encounters Calum Morrison--a high school English and Gaelic teacher who used to live in Edinburgh, but who became fed up with city life and returned to his home to teach and climb. A friendship develops as these two passionate people talk about art and writing and the world around them. It is when Rose's daughter Megan writes to say she's coming to visit that the precarious tightrope walk Rose has been engaging in threatens to come crashing to the ground. The past, with all its horrors and indecencies, is on its way, is ready to move right back in with Rose. And when it does, the life she worked so carefully to fashion may not be able to stand the onslaught.

I had butterflies in my stomach for the entirety of this beautiful book. Every time I turned the page, another arresting passage awaited me. As Rose is a textile artist, creating art from a wide variety of mediums and materials, it seemed fitting to me that this story was pieced together using alternating first and third person narration, letters, poems, and flashbacks. Every one is special. Sometimes it took me a moment to orient myself, but it never left me confused or dissatisfied. Rather, I jumped into each section with verve, wanting to read every piece intently so that I could understand and appreciate the whole. From the opening lines, I knew this book would call my name:

***

I talk to the island. I don't speak, but my thoughts are directed towards it. Sometimes it replies. Never in words of course.

I miss trees. You don't notice at first that there are hardly any trees here, just that the landscape is very flat, as if God had taken away all the hills and mountains and dumped them on neighboring Skye. But eventually you realise it's trees that you miss.

Trees talk back.

In the hospital grounds there was a special place where I used to stand, where I went to feel safe. It was my magic circle, my fairy ring. There were three slender pine trees in a triangular formation, only a few feet apart. I used to stand within that space, sheltered, flanked by my trees, like a small child peering out at the world from behind grown-up legs.

Once, when the air was very still and a brilliant blue sky mocked my misery, I stood between my trees, head bowed, not even able to weep. I placed my palms round two of the tree trunks, grasping the rough bark. I begged for strength, support, a sign. Anything.

My trees moved in answer. Quite distinctly, I felt them move. As my palms gripped them they shifted, as the muscles in a man's thigh might shift before he actually moved. The movement was so slight it was almost imperceptible, as if their trunks were flexed from within.

I knew then that the doctors were right, I was indeed mad. I threw up my head and cried out. Above me a light breeze played in the treetops, a breeze I had been unaware of on the ground. It tugged at the branches with a sudden gust and I felt the trunks flex again, bending to the will of the wind.

I wasn't mad.

At least, not then.

***

Rose is such a frank narrator. And she's dealing with serious and prolonged mental illness, so that is really saying something. Ms. Gillard skillfully allows the reader into Rose's inner struggle to stay still, to stay in one piece and moving forward. Being bipolar, she is at times woeful, angry, elated, and utterly lost. But she never felt unapproachable and the fact that everything was laid bare made me feel a close kinship with her, despite the fact that I have not encountered the challenges and trauma she was up against. Once again, as in Star Gazing, the attacks of hopelessness and grief are just delightfully balanced by the breathtaking relationship that grows between Rose and Calum. He is several years younger than she and that point becomes a bit of a sticking one for the reserved Rose. Calum is bothered by it not at all and his sweet and persistent forays into her personal space brought a smile to my lips over and over again. The way their work brings them together and forges a bond between them that overshadows less important concerns such as age and experience, enriched the connection for me and formed a bright point of light when their individual pasts came knocking. I would be remiss if I did not mention the vast and glorious third main character in this novel. And that is the Scottish landscape itself. I've been dreaming of Scotland for the past several nights and I have this book to thank for it. The wind and the rain, the gales and the beautiful, beautiful names: Uist, Cuillin, Benbecura, Skye. I can't help but think Rose chose well when she settled on a place in which to heal. This is a story about dealing with grief and betrayal, about the constant battle against despair and the brutalities of the mind, about finding love and deciding to believe in your ability to keep it. I was completely won over by EMOTIONAL GEOLOGY and cannot recommend it highly enough.

Poetic, moving and beautiful
Rose Leonard has moved to North Uist, a Hebridean island off the west coast of Scotland, to start afresh after having a mental breakdown. There she meets Calum, a man as deeply flawed as she is, although she doesn't realise this at first, as she is so absorbed in her own feelings. Slowly she comes to realise that she is not the only person to have experienced tragedy and hurt.

Without giving anything away, there is a part of Calum's story that made me cry and was so very moving. This is the third Linda Gillard book that I have read (having read them in reverse order) and I love them all so much. The writing in Emotional Geology was superb, and interesting with the change between first and third person, which worked very well.

I came away with such strong feelings from this book that it left its effect on me for a while after reading it. I heartily recommend this author. I loved her descriptions of North Uist too.

Check out this "Transita" novel! You won't be disappointed.
This was a story about Rose.Rose is in her mid-forties and has a daughter who is in her early 20's.Rose moves to an island off the coast of Scotland for peace of mind, literally.For Rose's mind is not usually at peace. Suffering from Bipolar disorder, Rose is convinced an isolated life away from friends and family is the perfect remedy to help her forget her past.She throws herself into her work and begins healing.And then she meets Calem.Calem is a local school teacher.He is very handsome and Rose finds herself immediately attracted to him.But Rose's past still has a hold on her emotions and she can't seem to let go.Calem is also haunted by a past he would like to forget and believes Rose can help. This book is a "Transita" book from the UK.Transita is a publishing company geared toward promoting books about middle-aged, (45+) women.I was pleasantly surprised how enjoyable this story was.I loved the scene set on the Scotland coast.The mountain climbing angle was very interesting and unique.This book also had it's share of haunting twists and turns.It was like an English version of an Anne Rivers Siddons book. A special thanks to "Lyzzybee" from bookcrossing who included me in her bookring! I liked this book so much, I am trying to figure out how to spread the word here in the states! ... Read more

Product Description
Writing with verve and clarity, Mary Hill tells the story of the magnificent Sierra Nevada--the longest, highest, and most spectacular mountain range in the contiguous United States. Hill takes us from the time before the land which would be California even existed, through the days of roaring volcanoes, violent earthquakes, and chilling ice sheets, to the more recent history of the Sierra's early explorers and the generations of adventuresome souls who followed.
The author introduces the rocks of the Sierra Nevada, which tell the mountains' tale, and explains how nature's forces, such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, faulting, erosion, and glaciation formed the range's world-renowned scenery and mineral wealth, including gold.
For thirty years, the first edition of Geology of the Sierra Nevada has been the definitive guide to the Sierra Nevada's geological history for nature lovers, travelers, hikers, campers, and armchair explorers. This new edition offers new chapters and sidebars and incorporates the concept of plate tectonics throughout the text.
* Written in easy-to-understand language for a wide audience.
* Gives detailed information on where to view outstanding Sierra Nevada geology in some of the world's most beloved natural treasures and national parks, including Yosemite.
* Provides specific information on places to see glaciers and glacial deposits, caves, and exhibits of gold mines and mining equipment, many from Gold Rush times.
* Superbly illustrated with 117 new color illustrations, 16 halftones, 39 line illustrations, and 12 maps, and also features an easy-to-use, interactive key for identifying rocks and a glossary of geological terms. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Excellent book
I found this book very useful and insightful for the non-specialist (I have a background in physics and engineering but not in geology). Among other things, not only it describes in detail the geologic history of the Sierra nevada, but, also, in lay terms, it explains many fundamental concepts of geology. It even gives you a "recipe" to identify rock types using a hand lens, vinegar, and a tool to scratch the rocks. I recommend it highly.

An excellent overview of the geology of the Sierra Nevada Mountains
I own a copy of the first edition of this book which has been the definitive work on the subject for nearly thirty years. I purchased it at the gift shop at Sutter Gold Mine while on a fieldtrip with my daughter's class. Geology has always been a bit of an amateur interest for me and this book provides an excellent introduction and overview to the geologic forces which have created the Sierra Nevada mountain range with particular focus on the Yosemite Valley, Devils Postpile and other primary geologic features in the range as well as the volcanoes in California such as Mount Shasta and Mt. Lassen. The book is written in language that makes the topic accessible to all. Professional geologists might desire something more technical and lengthy, but this book fits nicely into a backpack to serve as a reference while hiking the gorgeous Sierra Nevada mountain range.

Geology of the Sierra Nevada
This is an excellent review of the complicated and interesting geology of California's Sierra Nevada.
I particularly liked the section at the beginning of the book, a step-by-step process to identify different rocks. The steps are easy to understand and execute, even for a layman.
Another useful feature of the book is the set of maps showing locations where one can find each different rock type.
The book outlines geological processes (such as volcanism and plate tectonics) and features (e.g., fault lines), and explaines how the present Sierra Nevada was formed.
One particularly useful feature of the volume is that its size and weight allows that a hiker or a climber or a backpacker can carry it with him or her.

Excellent read, very good field guide
Geology of the Sierra Nevada (California Natural History Guides)

I enjoy science books that take a historical approach, explaining when and how the facts were determined.This approach brings science to life.Besides the historical information, this book is a comprehensive reference that I will carry with me on hikes in the Sierras.

Teachers reference
This is a nice reference source for general geologic information on Sierra Nevada. A definite improvement over the last edition, worth the replacement cost. Too bulky for a field guide unless you like spending your outing buried in a book, but is a great size for student use in class. The breadth of topics is excellent, and material is up to date (not all books available are). For anyone who needs exposure to Sierra Nevada geology, this is a good supplement to the Harden Book ... Read more

Product Description
Scott Baldridge presents a concise guide to the geology of the Southwestern U.S. Two billion years of Earth history are represented in the rocks and landscape of the Southwest U.S., creating natural wonders such as the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, and Death Valley. This region is considered a geologist's "dream", attracting a large number of undergraduate field classes and amateur geologists. The volume will prove invaluable to students and will also appeal to anyone interested in the geology and landscape of the region's National Parks. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Never got it
On 16 Aug 2010, I received an email notification from Amazon that the supplier shipped my order and how it was coming. On 18 Aug 2010, I received another email notification from Amazon saying the product was out of stock and couldn't be found anywhere, at which time Amazon refunded the purchase price.

Don't have any idea if the book is any good. I responded to the review because I thought it was interesting that Amazon believes they sent the book.

If anyone reading this review can tell me where I can find the book, I'd appreciate that.

Geology of Arizona, New Mexico and north-central Mexico
This is book for a geologist, not a beginner. As professional scientist I found it very interesting but struggled with the geology verbiage and endless names of different formations. If you know the subject well already you will gain insight through the concentration on plate tectonics, the reason I chose the book. But, it soon gets you buried in the lingo of geologists of these areas and it is easy to lose track of what has been covered. The author covers a vast range of time, from 4 billion years ago to the present and, using plate tectonics as the background you gain some insight into how the area came to be. The main problem for me, as a non-specialist, is that I got buried in the detail and in the stilted text so beloved of authors on similar subjects.

positive reciew of SW geology
I have been looking for this kind of book for years and this hit it right on the spot. The condition and price were also spot on. thanks

It's a terrific book!
This book is terrific! As a foreigner, I learned a lot about the history of geology by reading this book. Highly recommended.

The big geologic picture on a land where geology dominates the view
The title of this book says it all.The story begins two billion years ago and follows the formation of the continental crust of what is now the southwestern US.It then follows that chunk of land to the present, as supercontinents form and disintegrate, island chains collide, and mountains rise and fall.Unlike so many books about the geology of the southwest, Baldridge focuses on the plate tectonics behind the processes.This approach allows the reader to understand the "why" behind advancing and retreating seas, uplifts, faults and volcanoes.The geographic area studied is the southwest, although the Colorado Plateau seems to gather the most attention.It is seen in a broad geological context that includes what happened in places like Death Valley, the Rio Grande Rift and Southern Rocky Mountains. Baldridge places his explanation in standard geologic time, but his chapter breaks are in locations driven by the regional geology, not the standard hierarchy.For a Grand Canyon example, the Chuar and Tonto groups are a single chapter, a fresh (and justifiable) perspective.The story that comes through is a "life story" of the southwest, in which a reader can see the region's geology evolve, illustrating how events in its past shape its response to new conditions.

The book's broad scope means that the history of individual rock layers are often not there - indeed, many layers are not even mentioned (although the fame of Grand Canyon's rock column is evident, most of ours are).The layers serve to illustrate a "story line" driven by the forces acting on the land, they do not break the story into pieces because of what is (or is not) preserved in today's exposures.In developing this evolutionary presentation, Baldridge has to sort through many, often conflicting, hypotheses.He does a good job of finding common threads.In many cases, he presents different mechanisms but concludes with the salient points that seem to be areas of agreement or with the conditions that a solution must explain.

This book is not for the geologically faint of heart.It assumes a pre-existing general understanding of plate tectonics and other geological principles.It is not the place to learn how plate tectonics works, but is the best place I have found to understand how plate tectonics worked on the Colorado Plateau.It will not tell you how the Grand Canyon was carved, how Monument Valley formed, what makes the Supai Group red, or other specific questions.But it does provide the vast historical panorama against which such questions can be asked.From a degree of technicality, it is less technical than Beus and Morales' Grand Canyon Geology, but certainly well beyond Price's Introduction to Grand Canyon Geology.In the preface, Baldridge says his target audience is "upper level undergraduates and graduates."I would expand this to include anyone with a real interest in the Colorado Plateau, and who wants the "big picture" only hinted at in most treatments of the region (like Baars' The Colorado Plateau: A Geologic History).For readers with a more casual familiarity with geology, it could be a difficult read, but the rewards are great for a comprehensive understanding of the area's history.

I liked it - a lot!
... Read more

Product Description

Provides readers with an introduction to geology with a focus on real-world applications.Case histories in nearly every chapter help emphasize the relationship between geology and engineering. Has a solid background in the basics of geology including mineralogy, igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks, structural geology and plate tectonics, weathering and erosion, rivers, coastlines, and glaciers. New material covers geologic resources, geologic hazards, and environmental challenges in the current century. A new overview covers the implications of population growth, the use and depletion of energy and water resources, the employment opportunities for geologists, potential effects of climate change.A useful reference for anyone in the fields of civil engineering or environmental/earth science.

Product Description

Science 101: Geology goes deep into the core of this gritty earth science, covering everything from the history of geological theory to the formation and structure of the Earth's layers to the basics of plate tectonics, magma, and fossils.

Customer Reviews (3)

Great conditon
I received this product very quickly and it was in great condition. I recommend this seller.

A decent enough general look at geology
This one caught my eye at the library since I'm a girl who can't resist a shiny new book about geology. It's a fairly general book covering aspects of the science of geology - the study of the earth - with interesting photos and illustrations. Topics are generally confined to one two-page layout, rather than spilling halfway onto another page. I felt this unnecessarily condensed some topics to fit, while others seemed to have been needlessly expanded to fill the requisite two pages.

a great introduction to the wonders of geology
After a couple trips to Yosemite and Lassen in the last couple months I felt like learning more about the forces that shaped this earth. Geology 101 is a wonderful introduction. It has lots of pictures, which is important in geology and is a brand new book with lots of up to the minute info. ... Read more

Product Description

This book teaches what everyone needs to know about geology and how science and scientists work. Readers will discover a new appreciation for their surroundings, learning how to prepare for any number of geologic and environmental threats and how our Earth can continue providing all of our needs for food, shelter, and material well-being as long as we don’t squander these resources. The latest discoveries in the geosciences are covered, including Earth systems interactions, continental tectonics and mountain-building, a vastly expanded treatment of the geologic timescale and the evolution of life, and more. Up-to-the-minute examples of exciting geological processes are presented, such as the most recent volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunami, floods, and discoveries on Mars and on the Earth’s own seafloors. For anyone interested in exploring how physical geology impacts the world around us.

Customer Reviews (2)

Not happy
I was not informed that the book was notebook form, and it took a very long time to ship.

Amazing geologist!
I had Chernicoff as a geology professor at the University of Washington, and we used his book.Not only were his classes fascinating, but his book was fabulous.The way he put it together and explained everything wasfantastic; he excells at making those of us foreign to the world of geologyinterested in the subject (especially undergrads who are taking a geologyclass because it's required!).Furthermore, he does so in a way that iseasily understandable and not at all confusing. He gives countless examplesof what he is describing throughout, making the material even more easy todigest.It is easy to tell that he has a passion for what he does; itshows through in his writing.This is a perfect starting place for thoseinterested in geological matters. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Geology of National Parks
Perfect, great condition, just what I needed.Great seller, fast shipping.I would recommend to others.

Imperfect, but Useful.
I teach a college-level course in the Geology of National Parks and Monuments. Finding a textbook suitable for such a course has always been a problem, but I've used various editions of this book for at least a couple decades. It's a very poor choice for my needs, but I've never found anything more suitable. For example, my course is about Parks and Monuments, but this book only concerns parks. Another thing is that this book attempts to cover all national parks, but my course only concerns the National Parks of the western United States. In the sections about the parks I cover, this book attempts to cover almost everything, but I only look at selected subjects. Well, everything seems imperfect for my needs, but that's not the fault of the book.

If I get away from my specific needs, this book isn't bad at all. It outlines the geology of the parks as best as might be expected in the space available. I find it tough reading in that each park is covered by a different author or set of authors so the writing styles and geological styles and depth of coverage are glaringly different with the different parks. Well that's what compilation books are.

A beginning geology text is woven through the book and can be quite useful to the reader, if the reader is adept at using the index. For example, if a reader is interested in igneous rocks he/she can go into the index and can find numerous places throughout the book which discuss various aspects of this subject. It's imperfect, but someone can become reasonably conversant. Also, an index is provided if you tend to stumble over technical jargon.

I have very mixed feelings about this book. It's a very imperfect tome, yet it's really not a bad book at all. I could easily recommend it as a starting place for someone interested in the Geology of National Parks. Once started, an overwhelming amount of information is available in the literature and on the internet. It's worth a try, if you can get around the high cost of the book.

Gary Peterson

Geology of the National Parks
My 10 year old daughter loves the book.She wants to be a geologist with the National Park Service when she grows up.

geology of national parks text book, no highlights at all
the book came nice and clean, no creases and no highlights, very happy with my purchase

Excellent material.Well presented sans...............
This is an excellent textbook of geology and some history of our national parks.The text is organized by each park within geographic regions.This is great and helps one to read up on a specific park BEFORE visiting it so as to get the most out of the trip.

The layout, font size and pictures are great.The explanation of the geology behind the landscape is just beautiful and quite meaty.There is a CD that comes with the text and this is where I have a problem.The CD has great pictures of the parks but that is it.It would have been great if the CD came with some interactive stuff.

With the book size being formidible it would have been great to have a folded handout along with the CD so that one could actually use it on a field trip.

But all in all this is an excellent book and very useful to a non-geologist like myself.

I would have given it a 5-star except that there is no handy cutout that effectively summarizes the book for use in the field. ... Read more

Product Description

From exploring the basic principles of geology to starting a rock and mineral collection, The Practical Geologist is the perfect introduction to the world of earth science.

Beginning with a history of the earth's formation and development, this book explores the substances that compose the planet, movements within the earth, the surface effects of weather and water, and underground landscapes.

It shows you how to search for, identify, and extract samples of various rocks and minerals, and for each rock and mineral type there is a brief mineralogy and explanation of its locations. There are also sections on mapping, preparing, and curating specimens, and geological sites on the six continents.

Packed with more than 200 full-color illustrations, this comprehensive guide is the essential practical companion for natural science enthusiasts everywhere. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

Amazing Read
This book is great for begginers or if you just want to refresh your memory. It breaks everything down and makes it easy to understand the basics and some of the more complicated aspects of geology. I would highly recommend this book.

Great book for the big picture
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I am an aspiring amateur geologist, and for me getting the big picture is paramount. I have other books, many going into great depth, but I just needed something to get me going quickly. This book did it.

The one thing that I didn't like is that the terminology is introduced sporadically; for instance during the description of the "spheres" of the earth, while discussing the mantle and crust, the lithosphere and asthenosphere were not mentioned. Yet in a much later chapter, they were casually mentioned. I suppose my initial love of the "big picture" would fly in the face of this, but just thought I'd mention it.

If you are interested in Geology, this is worth the investment.

This is the book you've been waiting for!
I have owned at least 5 books on the intro to Geology and this one is brilliant.The Author's uses only 2 pages per topic with each of the2 pages using colour photographs along with the text where necessary includes graphs and tables.Right to the point with an easy to understand text leaving you a complete knowledge of the topic!

Authors of non-fiction books need to take notice on how to do this as they just haven't gotten it and are much to verbose.I give the a 5 star+++.I look forward these Author's future books.

Excellent!!!
This book is an excellent addition to my sons library!He said it has the most amazing pictures and commentary that he's seen.

A rocky read
Among my many interests, geology has always been lurking in the background, one that I never really pursued but nonetheless seemed worth knowing about.For this reason, I finally got around to getting a book on the topic, and picked out The Practical Geologist by Dougal Dixon.Although it isn't a bad book, it was also not the wisest choice for me.

As the title indicates, this is a book for the practical geologist, one that goes out to sites to assess the landscape:the types of rocks, the shape of the hills, et cetera.There are plenty of illustrations and photographs to assist the reader, along with information about how to write up notes and set up displays.

All this is wonderful in its own way, but for the true geological layman like myself, it is a bit more than what I wanted.That is to say, as an introduction to geology, this book is not wholly successful:while never getting overly technical, it also doesn't offer enough in the way of explanation.Instead, it just presents the facts and moves onto the next topic.It reads a bit more like a reference book than a regular science book.

The back of the book describes The Practical Geologist as the "perfect introduction to the world of earth science".This is not really the case.Nonetheless, I am giving this book four stars:I think that what this book does, it does well.If you're looking for a first book on geology, however, I would search elsewhere. ... Read more

Product Description
Take a learning journey through billions of years of Earth history

This indispensable guide to the fundamentals of geology is the ideal way to introduce yourself to all the basics, from rocks, minerals, and fossil fuels to earthquakes, volcanoes, and plate tectonics. Using quick quizzes and self-tests to reinforce key concepts, Geology carefully walks you through billions of years of Earth history. Illustrated with more than one hundred specially commissioned illustrations and fifty photographs that help clarify difficult concepts, this easy-to-follow book is an interactive resource for anyone interested in learning more about our planet.

Whether you are new to geology or want to refresh and update your knowledge, the proven self-teaching guide approach will allow you to work at your own pace, check your progress, and learn more about this fascinating field of study. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Generally good.
Not as high level as I would have liked, but generally a good book.Pictures are black and white, not so good for geology.

It's a good start
I am interested in Geology, so I figured this book would be a good basis in learning this particular subject.
So far, I think this will work!!

Just the facts, maam.
This and others in the self-teaching series provide the reader with an overview of the topic.It highlights and essentials and makes it easy to understand the basics.There are no frills, but who needs them? This is great for students who need to know just the facts, maam.

Good for beginners
I taught a course that used this book along with a few others. At first I thought this book was overly simplistic, but upon further review, and numerous positive comments from my students (teachers who were working to get certification credits actually), I can now see that this book has a lot of valuable geologic information in an easy to read format. This book presents a lot of important geologic topics without getting overly technical, which is good for beginning students, those that are simply curious (like the other review by a rockhound) or those that want a quick brush-up. At the end of each chapter there are quizes to help the reader review the material. This is helpful for some, but not for others (in which case you can always ignore them). For the class I taught we used this book in conjunction with The Earth System, Second Edition which I liked better but many of the students found difficult to read.

Wow! Something I can understand!
Knowing only the least rudimentaries on geology, this book has been invaluable to this amateur rockhound. Easy to understand concepts. I'm reading this book without the benefit of classes and its still great! ... Read more

Product Description
For courses in physical geology and introduction to geology This tenth edition of Essentials of Geology offers completely updated material and an extensively revised design, yet retains the hallmarks instructors have come to expect from Lutgens and Tarbuck - a student-friendly writing style, outstanding illustrations by Dennis Tasa that are both geologically accurate and visually appealing, and updated coverage of the most recent geologic events. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

My book
The book I received was in great condition. better than i thought it would be and i received it pretty quickly.

Good Buy!
Good course book, just be sure you need it for the class.Some professors don't require you to have it, so if you can save the money, by all means...DO IT!

Excellent Text
Had to buy this for a class I was auditing. GREAT diagrams and pictures. Figure 19.22 on page 460, "The evolution of life through geologic time" has literally changed my life. It finalized my view on how life came to be. It shows the fossilized progression of life from the first cyanobacteria 3.8 billion years to the evolution of the genus Homo. I'm convinced Darwin was right. Since that metamorphic moment, I have done little (I'm retired) other than read about evolution and its battle for acceptance in the non-scientific world.

Excellent book - well written too.

Essentials of Geology
The book has a wealth of information, I have enjoyed reading it, and using it in my class.

A good textbook for the the physical geology student
This book is intended as a text for the collegiate course in physical geology.The course encompasses a general overview of the physical processes by which the Earth continues to develop, both gradually and by sudden events of great magnitude. Plate tectonics, volcanism, erosion, mountain building and shaping, mineralogy, mass wasting, the impact of man, glaciation, and all other manner of things are clearly discussed in nineteen separate chapters.The color photography and diagrams are remarkably good, and closely follow the text, which is a real boon, especially to a student who is hard-pressed for time.The coverage is up-to-date and accurate in all respects.Many of the photographs, such as the those of the eruptions at Montserrat, are very current.

Given the fact that physical geology is the first of six courses required for any geology degree, and that any well-informed person should have no trouble understanding the contents of this book, I would recommend it to any reader interested in earth science, student or not. ... Read more

Product Description
Derived from the content of the respected McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, Sixth Edition, each title provides thousands of definitions of words and phrases encountered in a specific discipline. All include:

* Pronunciation guide for every term
* Acronyms, cross-references, and abbreviations
* Appendices with conversion tables; listings of scientific, technical, and mathematical notation; tables of relevant data; and more
* A convenient, quick-find format (20031001) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Not in Kindle Dictionary Format
This dictionary is not in the Kindle Dictionary Format.Looking up words is, therefore, relatively slow and tedious and it can not be your default Kindle dictionary.

good basic reference
Good dictionary but more specific definitions. For an earth scientist in the making, I would recommend the Oxford Dictionary of Earth Sciences.

Dictionary of Geology & Mineralogy
The is a must for anyone reading geological work. Rarely are words not to be found and in those instances the words have provincial usage. Despite plain English being a powerful means of expression geologists have developed an incredible lexicon of words some of which are unnecessary. Like lawyers and molecular biologists, this is a mechanism for one-upsmanship. Really out of place.

As an informed and enthusiastic student of geology and mineralogy, I find the book an essential crutch.

A Necessary Book
Excellent book, good definitions, but wish it also included pronunciation guide for each word. ... Read more

Product Description

Not quite a history of geology, Thinking about the Earth is a history of the geological tradition of Western science. Beginning with a discussion of "organic" views of the earth in ancient cultures, David Oldroyd traverses such topics as "mechanical" and "historicist" views of the earth, map-work, chemical analyses of rocks and minerals, geomorphology, experimental petrology, seismology, theories of mountain building, and geochemistry. He brings us back to the idea that the earth may, in a sense, be regarded as a living entity, or at least that life is an essential feature of its behavior.

Oldroyd offers a broad-brush contribution to the history of ideas and theories about the earth, providing a general synthesis of what science-historians have written about the history of the earth sciences. He shows us that ideas about the earth have been changing constantly since the beginnings of geological science in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, and indeed that ideas changed much more rapidly after the establishment of this science than in preceding centuries.

Thinking about the Earth does not assume previous knowledge of earth science. What it does require is an openness to the notion that an understanding of what geologists have to tell us today about the earth can be achieved by examining the evolving history of ideas in geology. This book will be of considerable interest to historians of science, historians of ideas, geologists, students of earth science, and general readers as well.

Customer Reviews (1)

Ideas described with difficulty
Oldroyd's work is a well researched book on the formation of early ideas in geology.He covers from early mythical ideas to present day debates. While this is an exceptional in-depth look at western thoughts of the day, the language used by Oldroyd is extremely difficult to manage.His writing is more of a high noble literary quality and not succinct on the point at hand.Though this is not a book I would recommend to be read cover to cover in one sitting, it is an excellent resource as a history of early geology, and is vivid in its B&W illustration.If you're a student of geology or history, get it. ... Read more

Product Description
The second edition of this innovative book provides'geo-relevant' chemistry in a highly accessible format. Theenvironmental,geological and topical relevance has been enhanced,providing theideal text to explain the relevance of chemicalfundamentals togeological and environmental processes. ... Read more

Product Description
This book should be of interest to second and third year undergraduate students of petroleum geology; petroleum geologists, sedimentologists and other Earth scientists. ... Read more

Product Description
Studies the land and waters of Michigan.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Geo of MI
This is an excellent resource for those wishing to know more about MI geology (like myself). It is an artifact of Old Geology in historical explanations because it was published in 1970 (Geosyncline, Miogeosyncline, etc)., but has excellent field observations and facts.
This book is a very thorough geological examination of Michigan's rocks; bedrock, surface features, and the historical events that lead to its present physical appearance. The field geology presented is outstanding.
It is a necessary reference for those who wish to explore and locate geological features of the state.

The only collegiate-level textbook on Michigan geology
This book, of which I own the 1988 edition, was initially published in 1970.At the time of publication, it was a state of the art book on Michigan's varied geological history and make up.However, the authors were apparently not convinced of the validity of the plate tectonic theory or its validity in describing Michigan's formative history. As a conequence, much, if not almost all, of the authors' discussion of Michigan's Pre-Cambrian geology is now highly suspect, if not outright disproven.So why bother going on?Here's why.

Geology of Michigan contains an excellent discussion of Michigan's geological resources.It also is probably one of the best books on the history of the Great Lakes in glacial and post-glacial time.The book is jam-packed with facts, diagrams, and excellent black and white photographs of the glacial landforms and erratics that cover most of Michigan.Also wonderfully treated are such things as the Michigan Basin, the anhydrite, halite, and limestone deposits of the Lower Peninsula, the portions of the Upper Peninsula that are part of the Canadian Shield, Michigan's Great Lakes sand dunes, the origin of Michigan's chaotic river drainage systems, and numerous other topics.

Even though seriously dated in some aspects, Geology of MIchigan has not yet had a worthy successor come along.Accordingly for those interested in a throrough, scholarly discussion of Michigan's geological/economic resources, and the post-Cambrian history of Michigan, the book is highly recommended.

A long trip up from the basement of time
Compared to some states like Colorado or California, Michigan might seem a bit geologically dull.Our state was part of a great inland sea during much of the Paleozoic Era, got scraped and graded by Pleistocene glaciers, then covered with detritus that the glaciers left behind.However, some of Earth's oldest eukaryotic life --organisms having cells in which the genetic material is contained within a distinct nucleus--has been discovered in the Precambrian rocks of Michigan's western Upper Peninsula.The Rockies and even the Appalachians are mere youngsters compared to the Mesabi Range.

When John McPhee skipped over Michigan in his four-volume rhapsody on American geology, he was skipping over some of the 'deepest time' on Earth.

Luckily, we have Dorr and Eschman's "Geology of Michigan" to make up some of the gaps, although these authors unlike McPhee, were not writing for a general audience. This book could be used for a college-level geology course, and the reader is assumed to be familiar with terms such as 'syncline,' 'anhydrite,' 'eperic,' and 'terminal moraine.'

Rather than juxtaposing travels in the modern world with journeys through ancient terrains, Dorr and Eschman take an elevator from the basement of time in the Precambrian up through Michigan's modern topological features that have been formed by wind and water.

Some of my favorite chapters involve the ancient highlands and iron formations of the Upper Peninsula, but the authors also do justice to the reefs and seas of the Paleozoic Era, and the glaciology of more modern epochs.They also devote a chapter to the 'Lost Interval'--an era extending from the end of the Pennsylvanian Period until the last stage of the Pleistocene, where the geologic record of Michigan is almost completely blank.Don't expect to find many dinosaur bones in this state--marine fossils are our specialty, since Michigan was usually covered with water in one form or another.Ancient sharks and coral reef fauna are discussed in detail.Then this book skips up the paleontological time line to the mastodons and other animals that appeared during the retreat of the Late Pleistocene ice sheet.But we are also home to "asphaltic deposits of Precambrian algae in the Upper Peninsula"--one of the most ancient records of life on earth.

Separate chapters are devoted to Michigan's rocks and minerals, and petroleum and natural gas formations.The International Salt Mine under Detroit is also featured.

My edition of "Geology of Michigan" was issued in 1988 (it was originally published in 1970), so it does not discuss one of the most fascinating theories ofthe origin of interbedded iron and silica deposits that date from the Cryptozoic time of the Pre-Cambrian, some 1.7 to 3 billion years ago. No banded iron formations are known in younger rock masses. One theory proposes at this early time, the atmosphere of earth was deficient in oxygen, and the iron and silica weathered from existing rock was transported to ocean basins with no oxidation. Here, they were precipitated by BIOLOGICAL processes to form the silica-rich iron deposits.

Just a few years ago, coiled spiral fossils that were uncovered in a banded iron formation in a Michigan mine prompted a new look at how complex living cells evolved, and whether oxygen was absolutely necessary for the process. These coin-sized coils are the by far the oldest known fossils of macroscopic organisms, and the earliest evidence of eukaryotes.

Michigan is not only home to some of the oldest rock formations on Earth, but also some of its earliest fossils.

Boring, eh? ... Read more