Book Description

Careful petrographic study with a polarizing microscope is a key element of any study of carbonate sediments, as a companion to field or core logging, and as a necessary precursor to geochemical analysis. This atlas featuring color illustrations of a range of features serves as a lab manual to keep beside the microscope, as an aid to identifying grain types and textures in carbonates. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Fascinating
This book is easy to use. It should be in every earth science classroom in all schools. If you are interested in geology, you will love this book. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Reviewing "Desert Gem Trails"
Desert Gem Trails, by Mary Frances Strong, is perhaps the most invaluable guide to rockhounding sites in southern California. Despite having been published over 40 years ago, her maps and illustrations are extremely accurate -- an absolute necessity when venturing out into the California deserts. Her love of the beauty, solace, and wonder to be found in the desert comes through, particularly in the introduction to the book.

I began collecting six years ago, when my kids were 5 and 7 -- old enough to appreciate overnight outings without whining. We wish to open a small natural history museum, but for small kids, the need for finding collecting sites that were "sure things" is obvious. Thanks to the wealth of information in Desert Gem Trails, we've able to find beautiful samples depsite the many decades of collecting at many of these sites.

A danger in desert collecting trips is getting lost. The desert now has such a bewildering mess of unofficial "roads" created by offroad vehicles that routes to sites (the Hauser Bed geodes location comes to mind) can be nearly impossible to find. This book gives extremely accurate distances -- almost always to the tenth of a mile and well within the margin of error for different sized cars -- and helps the collector find the location.

Desert Gem Trails is a must for anyone wishing to explore the many wonderful collecting sites of our desert. Bear in mind, however, that some of the more remote sites may have been subjected to road closures by the BLM in recent years, thus necessitating a hike instead of a drive. Contact the local BLM offices for maps and up-to-date info before embarking on a trip and double-check road locations to ensure a happy and successful trip. ... Read more

Book Description

Environmental Interactions of Clays is the companion volume of Bruce Velde's book on Origin and Mineralogy of Clays. In dealing with the role of clays in specific environmental issues, it is unique in its subject matter. Individual chapters are written by recognized international experts in their field. Subjects covered are radioactive waste disposal, trace metals, soil quality and productivity, pesticides, landfill, fibrous minerals and health. The approach is one of combining review with current research, thus it is an invaluable resource for students, researchers and practitioners alike. ... Read more

Book Description

This volume catalogues the J. Paul Getty Museum's comprehensive and important collection of Greek, Roman, Etruscan, and Near Eastern gems. Most of these objects have never before been published, making this catalogue essential for the scholar.The volume is fully and richly illustrated--each entry includes photographs of the gem and its impression as well as a profile drawing.Where pertinent, bibliographic references and comparative material are cited. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Inappropriate and Misleading Book Title
I was disappointed with this book because I was expecting different content. My interest is in gems and antique/vintage jewelry. This subject, which is in the title of the book, is only discussed in terms of ancient seals. The book says nothing about the ancient gems and finger rings that do not contain stone seals.
I feel the title of the book was misleading to the buyer, as it does not say that the book is solely dedicated to ring seals and scarab seals or cameo-portrait type, carved stone rings. Perhaps a more accurate title would be "Ancient Gem Seals and Seal Finger Rings", however I doubt this would generate the same amount of sales.
Since the cost of the book is quite high, I think the Amazon description should be more accurate about the contents. I am inclined to think the buyer is mislead as a selling technique, to make an otherwise boring book seem luscious. I wish I did not purchase this book and for those of you contemplating such a purchase I say to you, "I would NOT buy this book unless you are obsessed with ancient stone seals." ... Read more

Book Description

Fascinating compendium of information about ever-present but lesser known realm of nature: minerals, crystals, rocks, precious metals, radioactive minerals, gems, fossil fuels, mining and milling, water resources, mineral collecting as a hobby and more. Easy-to-follow question-and-answer format. Over 30 illustrations. Bibliography. Index.
... Read more

Book Description

A guide for anyone interested in knowing where and how to find gold, and what equipment to use. Some helpful tips include lists of things needed, some do's and don't, where to sell gold and where to get more information. Historical facts of the old mines and excellent engravings, photos and sketches. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Diving
I thought this book was superb and well written.The expository thinking that was included in it really hit home.I recommend this book for anyone who is interested in this subject.I haven't been able to put thepractices advised in it in use, but will soon. ... Read more

Book Description

Uncover the intriguing world beneath our feet

Rocks and Fossils reveal the state of the planet now and what the future may bring, including clues about the shifting, changing nature of the continents, mountain ranges, oceans, and islands.

Rocks and Fossils is a beautifully illustrated book that brings life to the seemingly timeless landscape. It explains geological concepts in relevant and familiar terms. Lively illustrations reveal a vast, hidden world via cross-sections and cutaways with explanatory captions.

The book explores the internal engine of our planet -- the liquid iron core unique among terrestrial planets, which is the catalyst for the creation and destruction of land, mountain, and oceans.

Rocks and Fossils is organized in six main sections: - The Dynamic Earth: the ever-changing nature of the world - Ancient Worlds: life from the Precambrian era to the age of humans - Key Features: how rocks and fossils form - Rocks and Fossils in the Landscape: where to find fossils - Minerals: How they form and why some are precious - Fossils: signs of life from single-cell organisms to dinosaurs.

Rocks and Fossils explains the fossil record to show how prehistoric lifeforms are linked to plants and animals still on Earth. Why did some species survive and others perish? What does the future hold? ... Read more

Book Description

Inextricably linked with Chinese civilization, jade played an essential, constituent role as a founding element in Chinese culture. Techniques of carving, the functions of the objects, and even the values related to jade were established during China’s period of formation, which spans the late Neolithic period to the age of the early empires. This is exactly the period to which the jades presented in RADIANT STONES belong: from the fourth millennium b.c.e. to the fourth century c.e., from the Neolithic period to the Han and Western Jin dynasties. In hundreds of color images, RADIANT STONES presents the ancient jades from the world-esteemed collection of Myrna and Samuel Myers. ... Read more

Book Description

"Salt is the fascinating, indispensable history of an indispensable ingredient.Like Kurlansky's earlier work, Cod, it's a must-have book for any serious cook or foodie." - Anthony Bourdain, Author of The bestselling Kitchen Confidential ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Skimped on CD version
Just a note on the CD version only. Each disc contains only one 60-70 minute track. This forces me to listen in my car because that is the only CD player I have that "remembers" where I left off. Also, the 14 CDs came in three jewel cases with identical packaging. There's no way to tell which case contains which CDs without opening them. Scott Brick does a good job reading and I'm enjoying the story. I just wish the CD version were more user friendly.

AHistoryLesson
I am not a big history buff. And this is not a book that I would normally pick up and read let alone buy. I picked up this CD in the library because all the other CDs that I wanted to listen to were checked out. I was impressed and intrigued that there were 14 discs to this book. On such a simple subject such as salt? How much could someone possibly write about salt? I checked it out. I thought what the heck. I didn't lay out any money for it. If I didn't like it I could just turn it back in. Well, I got a real education about salt. It turns out that this was a very valuable commodity at one time. Wars were fought over this stuff. I like how this author takes you from the beginning to the present time through each step. Salt, going from being very valuable to increasingly losing it's value and what took place in history, what was invented and what was discovered, and by who, to make it lose it value. There was even some recipes. I don't think I'll be using any of them anytime soon but they were interesting. I still wouldn't pick this up in book form and read it but I would listen to it again. And I am going to buy a copy of the CD for a friend who is a history buff, I think he'll enjoy it.

Interesting, then boring, then interesting again
Starts off very well...the first hundred pages or so are filled with interesting facts about salt and world history.Then it falls apart in the middle, droning on and on about how various countries produced salt and tried to corner markets.It felt like I was doing homework and just had to get through it.It gets interesting again near the end, discussing Gandhi's protest of the salt tax in India, and British colonialism.

I'm glad I finished it, but if I had to start again I think I'd rather shave my scrotum and pour salt on the open wounds that would likely result ... Read more

Book Description

Rocks, Fossils and Dinosaurs is part of a four-book series, The Nature Companions; practical guides to observing and appreciating the wonders of the natural world. This spectacular series provides readers with a thorough understanding of topics such as skywatching, birding, natural habitat gardening, and rocks and fossils.Written in clear, accessible text by acclaimed scientists and specialists in each field, each book contains a wealth of images by the world's foremost photographers and detailed, specially commissioned illustrations. Designed for enthusiasts of all ages, The Nature Companions series is a comprehensive source of reference that belongs in the personal library of all those who are curious to learn more about the world around them. ... Read more

Book Description

Buried soils (paleosols) are becoming widely recognized in sedimentary rock sequences and are generating much interest among Earth scientists. One reason why paleosols have not been widely recognized until recently is that soil scientists have had little opportunity to consider paleosols in sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. Another reason may be the profound alteration of paleosols after burial, so that few paleosols look exactly like surface soils. Colour is an obvious and important feature of paleosols, which are among the most colourful of all rocks, as can be seen from Petrified Forest and Badlands National Parks, USA. With its spectacular colour plates this book serves as an introduction to the colourful world of paleosols. This volume is also a handbook. With concise text and supporting illustrations, it introduces the basic problems of recognizing paleosols in the field and through laboratory studies, unravelling alteration of paleosols after burial, and interpreting ancient environments and life from paleosols. With its extensive index and glossary it is also a gateway to the terminology of geology and soil science. This book will provide an excellent reference for advanced students, researchers and professionals in the areas of sedimentology, stratigraphy, soil science, palaeontology, oil geology, and other related disciplines. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Excellant text on the basic science of paleosols.
This is an excellant and easy to read book about paleosols. It covers all of the basic science behind paleosol identification, paleoclimate interpretation from paleosols, and the current classification schemes. The pictures are fantastic and highly entertaining. Retallack has succeeded in writing a book that combines textbook quality knowledge with ease of reading and stimulating text. This is a book to sit and read on a weekend afternoon as much as it is a valuable resource for interpreting paleosols. In fact the only thing wrong with this book is its absurd price, otherwise it is a must have. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Only For Children And Beginners
This little guide is the best choice for beginners and children. Book gives the reader an idea about what rocks and minerals are, where and how they can be found, and some information about major minerals and rocks. All the pictures are hand drawn illustrations, so that they are not very detailed but still OK for kids and beginners. (I liked it when I was young!) ... Read more

Book Description

How much do you know about the rocks beneath your feet--the basic materials of our planet? Their variety and beauty is astounding, especially when viewed through the microscope, where crystals of different minerals and in various arrangements are revealed in exquisite detail. While surface rocks seem so solid, they flow deep inside the earth, and, in this spectacular book, you'll see what rocks that have flowed actually look like.Eminent geologist Ron Vernon reveals the incredible beauty and variety of earth rocks, both under and on the surface. Through breathtaking photographs he captures rocks formed by heating and melting inside the earth, rocks ejected from volcanoes, rocks formed by erosion on the earth's surface, and extraterrestrial rocks that have crashed into our planet. These stunning images are accompanied by clear, nontechnical explanations of the processes underlying the creation of rocks and minerals. No other current book so cogently explains the nature and origin of rocks for nonscientists. Beneath Our Feet: The Rocks of Planet Earth is destined to be a must-have purchase for a wide-ranging audience from professional scientists to amateur rock collectors--indeed anyone interested in natural history. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

a great little book
I'm very puzzled by the reviewer who said he hid the book because he was embarrassed that he bought it. Actually this is not a bad book at all. It is a very pretty account of the rock cycle, of the formation of rocks and landforms. It is not for the academic geologist, but for the hobbyist and amateur, well-written, well-explained and very well illustrated. Actually it is a wonderful book, perfect for rock collectors and so on.

Besides its general coverage of standard geology, it is unique for its microscopic photos of rocks and minerals. You will see rocks in a new way, and in these photos you can really see the processses that created the rocks. You can see details that you can't see macroscopically.

Anyway, I suspect that reviewer was being dishonest. This book is certainly no field guide to rocks, but it never claims to be. It really is wonderful for rock hounds and hikers and people who are curious about geology.

Beneath Our Feet
As an avid amateur, I found this book delightful. Beautiful photographs, and easy to understand explanations. In particular, the detailed descriptions of the thin sections were extremely educational. Most texts that include photographs of thin sections are way over my head. This book was easy to comprehend, and afforded me an insight to thin sections, and why petrologists use them. If you have ever been puzzled by what a thin section actually reveals, buy this book. That answer alone is worth it.

By far the best introduction to geology
Beautifully organized and exceptionally clear explanations, at the microscopic level, of how the various kinds of rocks are formed, and of their mineral grain structure. Many photographs with full and lucid analysis. The coordination of text and illustration are superb. Truly a masterpiece for the interested layman.

not as advertised
I found this book to be almost worthless - no coverage of the subject, just a lot of glossy photos with no detailed explanations. Not sure where one gets the idea this is anything near a roadside guide (which are really great references.) I had to hide this book to avoid the embarassment of having bought it.

Rocks Can Be Fun - And Beautiful.
Beneath Our Feet: The Rocks Of Planet Earth by Ron Vernon is a superb book that fills a gap that no one may have known existed. The writing is simple, but accurate and eloquent. The reader of this book will be able to jettison the 'all rocks look alike' feeling and go out into the world with enough observational smarts to be a budding petrologist. The illustrating photographs are a good mixture of landscapes, hand specimen photos and photos of thin sections. This book is a smart book for interested people without a background in petrology. If the Roadside Guide books interest you, but seem a little overwhelming, try this book first. The book fills a gap between collecting guides and college petrology books. The book will feel good in your hands and your brain when you read it, as well as look good on your coffee table. This book is not just for the committed rockhound! ... Read more

Book Description

This new book provides up-to-date information on refractories technology presented by recognized experts in the field. Produced from focused sessions of two Refractory Ceramics Division meetings, refractory scientists from around the world were invited to provide overviews of the scientific principles related to refractory manufacturing and performance. The result is this informative volume and a current view of the Fundamentals of Refractory Technology.

Papers presented at the 101st Annual Meeting of The American Ceramic Society, Indianapolis, Indiana, (1999) and the 102nd Annual Meeting of The American Ceramic Society, St. Louis, Missouri, (2000). ... Read more