Book Description

Ionospheres provides a comprehensive description of the physical, plasma and chemical processes controlling the behavior of ionospheres. The relevant transport equations and related coefficients are derived in detail and their applicability and limitations are described. Relevant wave processes are outlined and important ion chemical processes and reaction rates are presented. The various energy deposition and transfer mechanisms are described in some detail, and a chapter is devoted to the various processes controlling the upper atmosphere and exosphere. The second half of the book presents our current understanding of the structure, chemistry, dynamics and energetics of the terrestrial ionosphere, and other solar system bodies. The final chapter describes ionospheric measurement techniques. The book will form a comprehensive and lasting reference for scientists interested in ionospheres, and it will also prove an ideal textbook for graduate students. It contains extensive student problem sets, and an answer book is available for instructors. ... Read more

Book Description

485 ways to clean, polish, disinfect, deodorize, launder, remove stains, even wash your car, without harming yourself or the environment. Recipes based on harmless, nonpolluting, renewable ingredients.160 pages, recycled paper/vegetable ink, paperback. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

A must read to detox your life.
Most of us take our homes and our environment within our homes for granted, when in reality, the polutants found in most homes may be adversely affecting the health of many of us. This book offers a lot of great information on how to rid our homes of the offenders and replace them with products that are safer and as a bonus, much less expensive.

It was almost too much information and didn't get into enough directions on individual uses while offering way too many choices. However, the basics were there and getting a start with many of the cleansers is easy.

Ridding our homes of environmental toxins is extremely important and this book helped me out tremendously.

Andrew Keith, author of, Aging Is NOT An Option!

Good information, but way too much for a beginner
This book is good. BUT...there are way too many recipes with no explanations for the beginning green cleaner.

I was a little lost in the vast forest of different ways to clean everything. Also, there are no detailed instructions on just how to mix together the ingredients. As Karen Noonan Logan points out in "Clean House, Clean Planet," there are times (especially when mixing baking soda and vinegar) when you must put the ingredients in a specific order for the cleanser to work.

Don't get me wrong, this *is* a very good book! Chemically sensitive people and those who already make their own cleansers will find it a valuable source. But, for the beginner, it would probably be better to get "Clean House, Clean Planet" first because it has detailed instructions, some chemistry lessons and effectiveness ratings.

After you become more familiar with how green cleaning works, this book would be an excellent addition for more recipes and ideas.

A practical guide!
I only bought this book a couple of weeks ago, and have already put many of the recommendations and recipes into practice. It offers easy to understand and implement alternatives for those who want to use enviromentally-friendly alternatives for their home. Also offers a large resource guide for where to find what you need.

People with environmental illness need this reliable info.
I'm not much interested in housecleaning, but when I read Annie's recipes, I trust her attention to safe and healthy living. Environmental illness,a disease that requires a lot of housecleaning, has forced me to search for safe products, and to use them.I am comforted to find such a reliable and extensive source of information.

No excuses!!
I bought this book a couple months ago and loved it. I showed it to two friends and they want one too! I love making and using my own household cleaners and feel really good about using them. Non-toxic, Earth-friendly cleaners are so easy and inexpensive to make, there's no excuse for anyone to use all those nasty chemicals! ... Read more

Book Description

Anatomy and Physiology Coloring Workbook is an excellent tool for anyone who is learning basic human anatomy and physiology. The author's straightforward approach promotes and reinforces learning on many levels through a wide variety of visual and written exercises. Along with its review of the human body from microscopic to macroscopic levels the workbook also includes practical, clinically oriented activities. The Human Body: An Orientation, Basic Chemistry, Cells and Tissues, Skin and Body Membranes, The Skeletal System, The Muscular System, The Nervous System, Special Senses, The Endocrine System, Blood, The Cardiovascular System, The Lymphatic System and Body Defenses, The Respiratory System, The Digestive System and Body Metabolism, The Urinary System, The Reproductive System. For all readers interested in learning the basics of anatomy and physiology. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Very good study guide.
I found this book to be a good study guide in the following ways:
It helped me to learn hard topics of anatomy and physiology in an easier way.The visual learning aids stayed in my head more.This is a much easier way of learning A and P then listening to long and dry college lectures.I also used the following study guides which are also on amazon:
Anatomy and Physiology Study Guide: Key Review Questions and Answers by Patrick Leonardi
These study guides had the type of questions I encountered on my college A and P test.I advise getting these books.

Newer version
This book is good but there is a newer version already out which is better. If you have the Lab manual that goes with the text, this doesn't really offer anything new to you and your money would be better spent on the resource book.

Great learning aid
This book is wonderful for visual learners.I am a visual learner and it helped me remember very important facts for my college anatomy and physiology class....

GREAT
THIS BOOK WAS GREAT IT SHOWED THE YOUNG CHILDREN ABOUT THE BODY AND THEOLDER ONES! ITS GREAT FOR ALL AGES...I RECOMMEND IT DEFINITLY!!!

This book was great, easy to follow, full of information.
As a mother of three changing careers in mid stream, it was hard to find focus sometimes.I found this book easy to follow, a great study guide.Also it has been a great reference book in the years since I have beenlicensed to practice massage. ... Read more

Book Description

The interactions between environmental change and human societies have a long, complex history spanning many millennia, but these have changed fundamentally in the last century. Human activities are now so pervasive and profound that they are altering the Earth in ways which threaten the very life support system upon which humans depend. This book describes what is known about the Earth System and the impact of changes caused by humans. It considers the consequences of these changes with respect to the stability of the Earth System and the well-being of humankind; as well as exploring future paths towards Earth System science in support of global sustainability. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Early book with lots of easy reading
Manny's first book on Fluorescent minerals and a great read. Not as technical as his later book, but good stories about the mines and the miners. I am the author of "Collecting Fluorescent Minerals" and I really enjoyed learning from this book. It is expensive because it is out of print, but if you are serious about collecting Fluorescent Minerals, then this should be in your library (along with my book which is due out by June, 2004)

Fluorescent Minerals books
Although quite a bit of information in this expensive book is contained in Manuel Robbins later less expensive book, this is really a book that you should own or at least read. If you are intrigued and excited about collecting fluorescent minerals, this book is extremely easy to read and contains a wealth of information. I especially liked the story about his friend who worked in the Sterling Mine and collected interesting minerals. It put the rarity (although many are not that tough to find an example of) of the NJ fluorescent minerals into perspective. When you look at a piece of Hardystonite or Espirite, you really appreciate that you are looking at something rare and wonderful. The color charts in the book are handy and easy to work with. I am an author of books on antiques and collectibles and would love to write a book to identify fluorescent minerals. There is so much good, easily understandable material in this book that I would have trouble doing better. When the author M. Robbins wrote his next book, his technical buddies must have asked him to include lots of technical information. The second book is more like a graduate school textbook. I am not a geologist. I like to understand what I am reading. I enjoyed this book a great deal. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A must-have book for young ecologists
This is a wonderful book. As a graduating senior in Ecology, I can say that there is no way I could have completed my research without this book. Krebs is cited in journal articles constantly, and there is a reason - this reference work is thorough, well written and gives many examples to follow. I also recommend the EcoMeth software mentioned in the text, it is well worth the cost. Just browsing through the book will give you ideas on how to analyze your data. It even provides wonderful advice for those just in the process of setting up their experiments. All in all, it's top notch!

Excellent reference text
Krebs' text is a thorough and outstanding reference for any ecologist. This is is the ideal balance of technical background and practical application of methods commonly used in ecology. Ive found other sources either too cursory or far too involved with derivations of formulae, etc. Krebs hits the major points for the methods he discusses, describes the strengths and weaknesses, and gives the original citations (for most) so the reader can seek more information if necessary. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

Since 1960, there have been two major theoretical advances in the Earth sciences: the theory of plate tectonics and the advent of Earth systems science. Stephen Marshak's beautifully written and illustrated new text is the first to be informed by these two intellectual revolutions. This abridged version of the best-selling Earth: Portrait of a Planet covers all the topics of a traditional physical geology course, but it also includes such topics as historical geology, environmental geology, the Earth's resources, the oceans and atmosphere, cosmology, and global change. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Very readable, logical sequencing, great illustrations, fun.
This is the third of the textbook type of geology books which I have tried, and it is by far superior to the other two (both of which are very popular and well known.) The problem with the other two is that they begin discussing rock types before discussing plate tectonics and the forces which create and change rocks. Thus, much reference is made to concepts which were never introduced. Marshak does it correctly. He starts with plate tectonics and thereby he introduces the concepts necessary to understand the other dynamic forces at work on Earth. His explanations are complete, well presented and easy to follow. They are accompanied by illustrations which are not only very clear, but esthetically very pleasing to look at. I am glad I found this book. It is a pleasure to read, is very informative, and a welcome change from its more frustrating peers. I highly recommend Essentials of Geology by Stephen Marshak. ... Read more

Book Description

Snorkel Hawaii: The Big Island was the first guidebook exclusively devoted to snorkeling on The Big Island of Hawaii. In this 50% longer expanded second edition, even more sites and maps are included, plus updated tips and excursions. From a colorful cover to 54 site descriptions and 38 detailed maps of snorkeling sites, it draws you into the fascinating underwater world that shouldn't be missed by anyone touring the Big Island.

As Dave Barry says: "When you finally see what goes on underwater, you realize that you've been missing the whole point of the ocean--it's like going to the circus and staring at the outside of the tent."

It is the original in a series of guidebooks that provide more detailed snorkeling information than ever before available for each of the Hawaiian islands in an attractive, easy to carry package. Snorkel Maui and Lanai, and Snorkel Kauai, also available from Amazon.com, provides the same detailed coverage of these beautiful islands. ... Read more

Reviews (22)

Snorkel Hawaii The Big Island --New Edition
The second edition of this book is great. There are so many snorkeling sites that this book will be a welcome companion for years. In fact, it has already made the Big Island a favorite.

You won't find places like Frog Rock described anywhere else, so you will likely have this fabulous site to yourselves. One can snorkel a different site each day and find them just the way the book describes them. This book helped discover the Big Island in a very special way, and I fully recommend it.

Detailed, useful, and enjoyable
This book comes through on the most important criterion: It gives useful and specific information on a variety of snorkeling sites and snorkel/dive boat operators. It gives maps, driving directions, and advice on the best way to enter the water at a given site. There is a useful chart that classifies the different snorkel sites as to how good the snorkeling is (water clarity, fish variety) and how easy water entry is. I wouldn't want to snorkel the big island without it. .... If you go to the Big Island equipped with this book, and with "Hawaii: The Big Island Revealed" you will be well-prepared!

WONDERFUL!!
Handy and cleverly detailed, the Malinowskis sure know the Big Island. There were enough listings to keep me diving every day for two weeks. You have to go underwater to really appreciate this place. You should also buy a surfing rashguard top to stay warm because you'll be underwater more than you ever thought. The Big Island Revealed pales in complexion and is not a contender when it comes to knowing anything about snorkeling.

You won't need to sign up for a pricey professional tour if you have this book. Snorkeling Hawaii takes you to the same places the tours tout as hidden and private.

I hope the great snorkel beaches don't get too crowded
I've been to Hawaii 5 times, 3 times of which were to the Big Island. I got hooked on snorkeling and I found this book for my second trip there. It is so great to be able to have a table of the various snorkel sites for comparison then go to the description pages for more detail. My only disappointment comes from the fact that my copy is the first edition and this year, some of the directions are now out of date so we made a couple of wrong turns. This is not the fault of the guide but the fault of my poor memory for directions and not realizing there was a new edition.
I really enjoy the conversational tone the authors use to relay their experiences when at the particular beaches. It gives the impression that these authors actually visited the beaches instead of relying on the tourist literature. They also provide practical advice for the particular beaches which is helpful since general advice and warnings about snorkeling (which they also provide as a portion of the book) will only get you so far when you're actually at a specific beach faced with the conditions particular to that beach.
I feel this book has really given me access to areas that I may otherwise not have known about or gone to to enjoy the underwater beauty that the Big Island has to offer.

Snoekel Hawaii
I was very disapointed to fine this book had no photo's, just blk/wht line drawings.
Most of the sites reviewed are on the west/Kona side of the island, which is fine, if that is where you are going to be staying.
Descriptions and directions seems a bit breif and I'm not sure how useful this book would have been.
For almost the same price, "Hawaii the Big Island Revealed", covers many of the same snorkeling spots, and alot more, in much more detail. ... Read more

Book Description

Emphasizes actual structural design, not analysis, of multistory buildings for seismic resistance. Strong emphasis is placed on specific detailing requirements for construction. Fundamental design principles are presented to create buildings that respond to a wide range of potential seismic forces, which are illustrated by numerous detailed examples. The discussion includes the design of reinforced concrete ductile frames, structural walls, dual systems, reinforced masonry structures, buildings with restricted ductility and foundation walls. In addition to the examples, full design calculations are given for three prototype structures. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Must Have
A must have text/reference book for the structural engineering library. Great resources in topics ranging from concete shear wall design to masonry shear wall design. Highly recomended.

A comprehensive guide to Earthquake Engineering
A careful theoretical approach to earthquake engineering design, soon will become a standard reference book for the academic as well as the practising engineer. The part dealing with load bearing masonry construction is a clasic! ... Read more

Book Description

The Global Positioning System is finding its way into the surveying and mapping field at an incredible rate. Be prepared with GPS for Land Surveyors, a book written by a land surveyor, for land surveyors. Useful for any surveyor interested in GPS, and for engineers and others who want to enhance their knowledge of GPS technology. From fundamental theory to practical application and advanced technologies, the book covers GPS without being saddled with pages of complicated maths, yet it is not over simplified. This user-friendly manual gives you all the tools needed to understand and use GPS in everyday practice. In a concise format, this book teaches the basics of GPS technology, common hardware, surveying methods, survey design, planning and observation, and new chapters have been added on RTK and DGPS. To help the reader fully apply the practical advice in the book, each chapter has helpful review questions and answers. This feature will be particularly useful for seminar teachers, academic instructors and students. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

And What Of Your GPS After An H-Bomb Detonates ?
All of this electronic stuff is fine and good, and on occasion it is microscopically accurate -- but nothing really beats the old fashioned way. A K&E transit, a Zeiss level, a good old chain, level rod, range pole and plumb bob -- with axes and stakes and hubs and tacks and hammers and brush hooks: THAT is land surveying. And, those old ways are all we'll be left with, after the magnetic pulse from a big bomb wipes out all your electronics, your distance meter and little azimuth beeper. Cutting a line through the woods, running cross-sections across fields of flagged laths, manually computing your cuts, fills, backsights, and deflections, THAT is was you can always put in the bank. Yeah, all this fancy equipment is lovely until the day you forget to charge the battery, or some moron leaves the truck window down and your satellite-powered theodolite gets all wet. The old ways, boys, those are the best, true and tested, most reliable ways. Give me a turn, it's time to move the instrument.

The GPS Primer - updated
I found Mr. Van Sickle's 2nd edition book to be an expansion, correction and update of the 1st edition (previously reviewed). The book now has nine chapters and includes a new one on "real-time". Various corrections and updates have been placed into print which were greatly needed. The book "boils down" GPS into its basic components and explains difficult aspects in a more understandable fashion. The new, larger illustrations are generally more easier to see and of a better quality than before. Mr. Van Sickle has added questions and answers at the end of each chapter making the book more useful in the classroom. Generally, I liked the new book and would recommend it as a basic part of your GPS/Surveying library. I intend to use the book as a textbook for my upcoming semester and I know that the students will like it as much as I have, especially with the new self-checking questions and answers at the end of each chapter.

An excellent guide to an interesting topic
Jan, is a very talented individual. From his acting, to his recitals of Shakespeare, this book is a testament to his ability to distill the essence of a deeply scientific subject and reduce it to bite-size chunks of information, suitable for those lesser mortals.

Apart from being an all-round good bloke, Jan has done an excellent job and I would highly recommend it to all readers wanting a deeper understanding of this technology, without their eyes glazing over with complex formulae and math. Well done Jan.

In depth coverage on topics for land surveyors
Jan presents a very concise and complete book on the intricate details involved with all aspects of GPS, from the GPS satellite signal structure itself to the applications of the Land Surveyor in implementing this technology. This book is a great learning tool for Land Surveyors interested in learning more about the who,what,where,and why's on GPS Surveying.

A concise and practical treatise on GPS without alot of math
I found Mr. Van Sickle's book to be very concisely written yet full of practical "how tos". The flow from concept to concept is well though out. He shows his vast experience and knowledge of the subject on nearly every page. There are however, some large scriveners errors which are too large to be considered typographical errors (sometimes a whole sentence or paragraph is unrecognizable). In some cases these errors detract greatly from the content since it hard to know what he is saying. One aspect of Mr. Van Sickle's style is his ability to explain a concept, albeit difficult for most to understand, using common words and phrases. Generally, I liked the book and would recommend it as a basic part of your GPS library. One should experience various aspects of a subject from all directions to be able to fully understand anything. I will confess to learning a number of things from Mr. Van Sickle's book mostly due to his easy literary style which I had not previously understood. I have used the book as a textbook for two semesters and will continue to do so. I only hope that there is a new corrected edition available soon. ... Read more

Book Description

Processing the vast amounts of data on the Earth's land surface environment generated by NASA's and other international satellite programs is a significant challenge. Filling a gap between the theoretical, physically-based modelling and specific applications, this in-depth study presents practical quantitative algorithms for estimating various land surface variables from remotely sensed observations.
A concise review of the basic principles of optical remote sensing as well as practical algorithms for estimating land surface variables quantitatively from remotely sensed observations.
Emphasizes both the basic principles of optical remote sensing and practical algorithms for estimating land surface variables quantitatively from remotely sensed observations
Presents the current physical understanding of remote sensing as a system with a focus on radiative transfer modelling of the atmosphere, canopy, soil and snow
Gathers the state of the art quantitative algorithms for sensor calibration, atmospheric and topographic correction, estimation of a variety of biophysical and geoph ysical variables, and four-dimensional data assimilation ... Read more

Book Description

Evaluating environmental policy while considering the lasting implications of today's environmental controversies for the future is no easy task, especially given the dramatic changes of the past couple years. Assessing new strategies prompted by the George W. Bush administration, Norman J. Vig and Michael E. Kraft head a team of distinguished contributors to help students make sense of the underlying trends, institutional shortcomings, and policy dilemmas that shape the contentious world of environmental politics. Accessibly written, each chapter attempts to explain the most important developments in environmental politics in recent decades-at the local, state, national, and international levels-and at the same time points to new policy directions for the future. Environmental Policy is essential reading for students of public policy and for anyone who is interested in the current debate over reforming environmental policies and promoting sustainable development in the future. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Newest in a classic series
This is the new edition of "Environmental Policy in the 1990s," a series now considered to be the most important in the field. This edition has some of the classic essays from earlier editions, but is expanded to cover the Clinton administration and address issues of a global nature.

I have been using this series as a basic text in graduate courses in environmental policy for years. I consider it to be a primary source of not only teaching, but research and basic information. All of the essays are clearly written and as unbiased as possible. I give this my highest recommendation. ... Read more

Book Description

These four companion books take a dramatic look at our watery planet.

"From space, Planet Earth is blue. It floats like a jewel in the inky black void. The reflection of the sun's light from the vast expanse of water covering its surface creates it gemlike blue color. In the entire solar system, Earth is the only planet that has water in liquid form in such quantities." Scientist have calculated that 70 percent of our planet is covered by water; small wonder that the human being shave always been so fascinated by the oceans and what lies beneath. Today, while we still have so much more of the ocean realm to uncover, we have discovered enough to know that beneath the waves lies a vast treasure-trove of rich and diverse life. Accompanying the television series of the same name, The Blue Planet leads up on a voyage of exploration from the coasts, the very edges of the oceans, to the deep where weird and monstrous fish lurk in a world of perpetual darkness. Along the way we are introduced to a whole host of wonderful creatures -- from tiny copepods to majestic blue whales, and from the grotesque hairy anglerfish, to the amazing tripod fish that stands on its three delicate legs waiting to snap up unsuspecting prey. Complete with a foreword by Sir David Attenborough and 400 full-color photographs, The Blue Planet is the first complete and comprehensive portrait of the whole ocean system. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Truly a great book
After watching the 'Blue Planet' documentaries on TV I developed an interest about life under the sea. Some of the documentary footage was truly groundbreaking work in terms of capturing the animals on film and bringing it to our homes in such a unique way.

The book, like the documentary is truly a great piece of work. It's well planned, presented and written. It covers all aspects of ocean life with out becoming to specific with regard to certain species. Some of the photographs throughout the book are truly wonderful; this book is a must for everyone, of all ages. It will satisfy any appetite for deep-sea discovery, shore life and marine biology.

5 Stars, This book has everything you need and more, and the presentation is second to none.

One of those "Must Read" books
This book is so well written, so cleanly designed and so perfectly illustrated that it is required reading to all nature lovers, particularly those interested in the strange, beautiful and other-wordly life of the deep sees. Brilliant and sure to appeal to ages ranging from 8 to 80 years old.

The blue planet
This is probably the best book published when it comes to describe the marine world.

Impressive.
Very Impressive.

Blue Planet!
It seems as though there could not possibly be any place left on the planet that is yet to be explored and exploited. Nevertheless the world's highest mountains and deepest caverns remain unexplored under the seas, many out of human reach. In fact, 60 percent of the oceans' waters and inhabitants are more than one mile below the surface. This book, a companion to the BBC/Discovery Channel television series and also available on video, is a feast for the eyes, with page after page of remarkable photos of grotesque, exotic creatures and beautiful landscapes. Chapters delve into man's attempts at exploration, the science behind the tides, the sea's prehistoric survivors, and the ecology of the various habitats seashore, trenches, polar regions, and coral reefs. The book covers the oceans' diverse plant life; plankton, the microscopic diatoms that produce the majority of oxygen on the planet and without which humankind would never have evolved; the sociology of whales; the ravages of pollution; and much more. The attractive layout includes myriad fascinating facts and well-written, accessible text. The index can be used to research a particular topic or the book can simply be browsed to gape at the amazing photography, typical of a DK publication. Even those who find underwater creatures creepy are guaranteed to exclaim aloud in amazement, no matter what page they pick. The coffee-table-style format is well worth the price tag.

Informative and compelling
This book is a great companion to the DVD series. With 380 pages and over 400 beautifully shot photos it is sure to be a hit for nature and marine buffs, alike. ... Read more

Book Description

This best-selling majors ecology book continues to present ecology as a series of problems for readers to critically analyze. No other text presents analytical, quantitative, and statistical ecological information in an equally accessible style. Reflecting the way ecologists actually practice, the book emphasizes the role of experiments in testing ecological ideas and discusses many contemporary and controversial problems related to distribution and abundance. Throughout the book, Krebs thoroughly explains the application of mathematical concepts in ecology while reinforcing these concepts with research references, examples, and interesting end-of-chapter review questions. Thoroughly updated with new examples and references, the book now features a new full-color design and is accompanied by an art CD-ROM for instructors. <P>The field package also includes The Ecology Action Guide, a guide that encourages readers to be environmentally responsible citizens, and a subscription to The Ecology Place (www.ecologyplace.com), a web site and CD-ROM that enables users to become virtual field ecologists by performing experiments such as estimating the number of mice on an imaginary island or restoring prairie land in Iowa.For college instructors and students. ... Read more

Book Description

Hardbound. In this book, major emphasis is placed on the effects of processing and food components upon the flavor of foods and beverages. Topics discussed include: roasting of peanuts; extrusion of cooking poultry; spray drying of natural flavor materials; cooking rates of foods; gamma radiation of packaging films; stir-frying of sautéd flavors; emulsification properties of egg yolk and lupin proteins; the interaction of flavor compounds with flour, starch, and polysaccharides; factors affecting development of flavor in whisky, wines, fermented products, alcohol precursors, and model food systems; applications of enzymes for production of flavor in fish, lobster and pork; and the development and application of analytical methods for isolation and identification of volatile compounds and flavors from a variety of food products.

Information presented in this book will be useful to chemists, scientists, and technologists working in flavor chemistry ... Read more

Book Description

This text presents geologic processes in context with their impact on humans, our lives and societies. The author's goal is to both create informed citizens and nurture an understanding of geologic science.Part I introduces philosophy and fundamental concepts, the structure of the Earth and plate tectonics, and the origin and significance of rocks and minerals. Part II addresses the major natural hazards including earthquakes, volcanic activity, rivers and flooding, landslides, and coastal processes. Part III discusses the major natural resources associated with the geological environment and the subject of pollution. Part IV presents the important topic of global change, environmental management, and relationships between the environment.For individuals looking for an environmental perspective on physical geology. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A coherent text that doesn't quite live up to expectations
Keller's text is a thorough exploration of both facets of environmental geology: natural hazards and the human impact on the environment. The text includes numerous case studies to illustrate the concepts, though most of them are set in the United States (especially the West Coast). Keller presents, in chapter one, four principles that are supposedly woven throughout the text. At the end of each chapter, he includes "Critical Thinking Questions", which I hoped would lead to vibrant in-class discussions. The other aspect of this book that led me to select it for undergraduate class was the CD-ROM, which promised to provide students with simulations of real-world environmental problem solving.

Alas, the book does not live up to its promises. My greatest disappointment is that the text is rather dry, and the Critical Thinking Questions rarely moved beyond synthesizing material from the chapter. I am also concerned that students explore environmental issues at both the local (for me, northeastern US) and global scales. Apart from a fairly thorough coverage of global warming and an occasional photo of an earthquake or volcano overseas, Keller seems content to focus on the US, especially his own home state, California. His only nod to Earth Systems Science is a few paragraphs crammed into the first chapter, along with mention of Gaia. The CD-ROM was less exciting for students than I had anticipated, and my class found the written part of the CD assignments difficult, and many answers were based upon previous ones, so if they got one wrong, they would get several wrong and do poorly as a result. Finally, I was disappointed by Keller'ss uninspired philosophical assertion in the final chapter, in which he insisted that "sustainable development" is possible and ought to be pursued. In a class discussion, the students all concluded that development and sustainability are mutually exclusive things.

The text is thorough and fairly accessable, but fails to move beyond being "like most other textbooks" despite the numerous ways it appears to do so at first glance. ... Read more

Book Description

In this powerful and passionate critique of the "war on terror" in Afghanistan, Palestine, and Iraq, Derek Gregory traces the long history of British and American involvements in the Middle East. He argues that the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11 activated a series of political and cultural responses that mapped a profoundly colonial perimeter of power. The Colonial Present traces the connections between political, military, and economic power – the grand strategies of geopolitics – and the spatial stories told by the lives of ordinary people. It also shows the intimate connections between events in Afghanistan, Palestine, and Iraq. Packed with empirical detail, and shot through with arresting arguments, The Colonial Present is indispensable reading for anyone seeking to understand a world riven by a war on terror that is also a war of terror. ... Read more