Book Description

Earth Science offers a reader-friendly overview of our physical environment for the reader with little or no exposure to science. The emphasis is on readability, with clear explanations and examples, superb illustrations by the renowned Dennis Tasa, and an incredible collection of full color photographs and topographical maps.Topics covered in this highly readable and interesting book are geology, oceanography, astronomy, and meteorology.For readers needing a basic informational book about Earth Science. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Awesome, not quite college level
I'm using this book for a high school freshman year Earth Sci class, and I love it. It's very readable and clear, with appropriate diagrams that help understanding. It also avoids doing what lots of high school textbooks do, which is showing lots of weird-looking kids in plain T-shirts doing experiments in a doomed attempt to appeal to students. I've learned a lot with this book :)

A great book covering everything
This textbook is one of the best scientific books I have seen. Not only does it cover earth science (like geology), but astronomy and meteorology also. It covers every topic that you possibly want to know about. The authors leave no information out. I had to use this for Science Olympiad, and it helped me so much. The explanations are great, the images beautiful, and the diagrams very helpful. I would suggest this for anyone that has an interest in Earth Science or Meteorology. It is a great book. ... Read more

Book Description

Physical Geology is a market-leading classic that has been used in classrooms for over 20 years.Updated to include the latest technology and most current information,Physical Geology is for both non-science majors and for students contemplating majoring in geology. The beautiful new art program and interactive writing style will grab students' attention and further their interest in geology. ... Read more

Book Description

Building on the tremendous reception to its parent volume, Earth 8th edition, the same groundbreaking media package is now integrated into the brief version of the best-selling introductory physical geology volume. This eighth edition of Essentials of Geology represents a thorough revision, yet retains the hallmarks readers have come to expect from Tarbuck and Lutgen. Reader friendly writing style, carefully crafted illustrations by Dennis Tasa that are both geologically accurate and visually appealing, and updated coverage of the most recent geologic events.The volume provides an introduction to geology covering minerals, igneous rocks, volcanoes and other igneous activity, weathering and soil, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, mass wasting, running water, groundwater, glaciers and glaciation, deserts and wind, shorelines, the ocean floor, earthquakes and earth's interior, plate tectonics, mountain building, geologic time, and earth history.For individuals interested in an introduction to geology. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

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.

Not that bad
If you are taking a Geology class, this book is very helpful. Its easy to read, and has many pictures. ... Read more

Book Description

To understand timely issues such as natural disasters and environmental challenges—and to evaluate solutions to related problems—the average citizen needs a basic awareness of the scientific principles that influence our planet. This trusted book makes an often-complex subject accessible to readers with a strong focus on readability and illustrations.Offers a meaningful,non-technical survey that is informative and up to date for learning basic principles and concepts. Includes a revised and expanded GEODe Earth CD-ROM. Updates and revises art and illustrations to include dozens of new high-quality, photographs carefully selected to aid understanding and add realism. Provides a wealth of new special-interest boxes, including "Earth as a System," "People and the Environment," and "Understanding Earth."A useful reference for anyone interested in learning more about Earth's geology. ... Read more

Book Description

Offers a modern and different perspective.
* Includes updated content to reflect latest research findings.
* Each chapter ending has references to related material on the web. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Comprehensive and thorough
Comprehensive and thorough, clear and understanable even for youth. Ilustrations contribute a lot to the overall picture.

Pretty good overview of environmental science
I took a class which used this textbook at the University of California, Santa Barbara, which was co-taught by one of the authors, Ed Keller. This is an introductory book that provides a decent overview of the problems we are currently facing in regard to the environment, what we can do to solve those problems, and other opportunities that our environment can give us. ... Read more

Book Description

The renowned author team of Bernard Pipkin and Dee Trent is joined in this Fourth Edition of GEOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT by Rick Hazlett of Pomona College. This stellar author team has the most field expertise, and the greatest depth of experience in bringing that field knowledge to the student, of any in this market. Pipkin/Trent/Hazlett's GEOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT explores the relationship between humans and the geologic hazards, processes, and resources that surround us. A tested market leader with an emphasis on how geology can improve the human condition, this new edition updates demographic statistics and the problems of overpopulation, reviewing what we have to do in order to create a sustainable society for the next generation. The popular themes of remediation and prevention are highlighted in this new edition, which focuses on teaching students to analyze geological questions of pressing social and environmental importance through the acclaimed case study and "Critical Thinking" elements. To further enhance the student's learning experience, this edition is now fully integrated, on a conceptual level and with book-specific interactivities, through means of a FREE, brand-new student tutorial system called Environmental GeologyNow. Environmental GeologyNow is Web-based, assessment-driven, and completely flexible, offering a personalized learning plan based on each student's quiz results to help students focus on the concepts they don't yet understand. This superior teaching package provides each student with fun, interactive learning opportunities. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A good overall source for environmental geology
Geology and the Environment is an excellent source for someone who wants to get an overall beginning knowledge of environmental geology. The text goes over each topic in a clear and precise manner, with diagrams and some humore as well. This book is highly recommended for those with an interest in environmental geology.

geology textbook for the tommorrows geologist
Easy to understand and straight to the point ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (4)

This is pretty good!
I bought this study guide to help me in my geology class. It isn't the same edition as my textbook but it is still the same. The chapters are the same and it has really helped me remember the material. The pages have fill in the blank and multiple choice and practice quizzes. All the answers are at the end of the book. I recomend this for anyone who is taking geology and is using the "Earth" book.

An outstanding introductory textbook in physical geology
Despite the proliferation of introductory physical geology textbooks in recent years, none have surpassed the quality of Tarbuck and Lutgens' "Earth". The text is accurate, up-to-date, well-organized, and exceptionally lucid. The writing flows nicely and presents complex topics and ideas in a way that is easy for non-scientists to understand, while at the same time resisting the trend toward "dumbing-down" that has recently affected many introductory textbooks in Earth sciences. The book is also illustrated wonderfully with diagrams that are effectively designed, beautifully executed, and perfectly matched to the accompanying text. The photographs are likewise outstanding in subject and quality, with great efforts obviously having been made to find excellent pictures that complement the text and clearly illustrate the features and processes being described. The overall quality of the photographs is far better than in most other textbooks of this kind. Substantial improvements have been made for the sixth edition, including the addition of helpful illustrations to the glossary and the addition of many new photographs throughout the book (for example, compare the 5th and 6th edition pictures of drumlins, moraines, igneous rock textures, tsunamis, sinkholes, etc.). After examining many textbooks, I have decided to use this one in the undergraduate course I will teach next year.

Earth - an average introductory textbook
This book has dozens of errors, but in its defense, I must say that every introductory textbook I've used or reviewed has similar errors. For example, thermal expansion due to daily temperature fluctuations does NOT fracture rocks. Fire fractures rocks, and local fires can occur in many deserts. The photo of a rock split is actually due to ice (not frost) wedging. Deserts can be freezing. The book does not address the importance of past climates. Most of North America's landforms were formed under wet, warm climates, not today's. The hydrologic cycle should be expanded to the geohydrologic cycle, which incorporates plate tectonics. Plate tectonics, as presented, is rather primitive. We're in, I'd say, 3rd generation plate tectonics, but it is not being taught. Mountain glacial landscapes are entirely misinterpreted, based on a false paradigm originating in the 1840s. Yosemite Valley is far more a relict tropical landscape than a glaciated one, and Bridalveil Falls has existed for 10s of millions of years before glaciation. Evolution of desert landscapes is equally as bad. The authors don't understand pediments, which are exhumed weathering fronts (as in Joshua Tree National Park) or exhumed detachments (as in the Mojave Desert). Etc., etc.

Lots of fun for rocks!
This book is an excellent introductory text, with a wide scoop and a clear and descriptive style. The pictures are gorgeous and informative, and the side notes (Boxes) are powerful examples of the topics being discussed, as well as fascinating sources of trivia (do you know what Bingham Canyon is?) that add flavor to the book! My only complaint was that there are no chapter summaries, but as the material was clear and concise, I had no need for them! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Excellent overview for people new to the field
It is exactly what the title says. If you're new to the field, this book provides an excellent, fairly detailed description of both onshore and offshore upstream operations.

An excellent introduction to the oil business
If you're interested in learning about the dynamics of the oil industry and you know absolutely nothing about it, this is the book for you. Norman Hyne describes industry jargon with dictionary-like simplicity and guides you through the basics of oil drilling, where oil is located and why, how to read seismographs, and many other things. The book has photos and drawings throughout the book that help you understand what is being described and put things into the concrete.

This book seems to be written as a classroom textbook, but I read it cover-to-cover. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Excellent Resource
I found Mr. McCarthy's book to be a valuable resource. From a geologist's perspective, it was of great help in bridging the gap between engineering geology and geotechnical engineering. It gave me greater insight into not only field technique, but also into geologic considerations that are of importance in foundation design. The text was both concise and clearly written.

From a Civil/Geological Engineering student's view...
* Poor index - no detail * Good detail in text on subjects covered * Has some errors in the chapter on flownets * Disjointed in discussion of compaction * Good for students with little to no soil mechanics background

An excellent engineering tool!
Civil engineers throughout the world can use this book as either a classroom text or reference handbook. It covers a variety of soil conditions including expansive soils and provides examples of both foundation designs,and retaining earth structures. ... Read more

Book Description

The greatly anticipated 3rd edition of EARTH SCIENCE AND THE ENVIRONMENT provides a rich overview of all Earth-related disciplines, including geology, meteorology, hydrology, oceanography, and astronomy -- providing a sense of how Earth functions as a single system composed of interacting subsystems. This text is designed for use by students in an Earth Science course with an environmental and/or Earth Systems emphasis. Thompson and Turk's commitment to the Earth systems approach is integrated throughout the text and is emphasized graphically in the new thematic flow chart, SYSTEMS INTERACTIONS, which illustrates the interconnectivity of the Earth's four spheres (geosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere). Environmental issues are emphasized and integrated into the text, and stunning multi-part visuals emphasize the beauty of Earth science.Together, Thompson, a teacher, researcher, and author, and Turk, a geosciences author, chemist, and adventurer, bring a wealth of earth science knowledge -- both in the classroom and first-hand -- to this vibrant, student-friendly, authoritative textbook. To further enrich the student experience, this edition is now fully integrated, on a concept level and with book-specific interactivities, with a FREE brand-new, student tutorial system called EarthScienceNow. EarthScienceNow is Web-based, assessment-driven, and completely flexible, offering a personalized learning plan based on each student's quiz results to focus students' attention on the concepts they don't yet understand. This superior teaching package, along with a text by an experienced and dedicated author team, provides students with fun, interactive learning opportunities. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Earth Science Teacher reviews a Good Book
I have used this book once for a course I teach for K-8 pre-service teachers called: Earth Science for Teachers. It is only 1 hour so I can't use all the content in the book, but, it is an excellent content reference for people who are expected to know and teach more and more content every year. Read this book for your own fun, or, use it as a reader friendly resource with excellent pictures and friendly assignments. ... Read more

Book Description

With contributions from more than 120 highly regarded geologists and geoscience educators, and an exceptional illustration program by Dennis Tasa, this user-friendly, best-selling laboratory manual focuses on the basic principles of geology and their applications to everyday life in terms of natural resources, natural hazards, and human risks.This edition of the AGI/NAGT Lab Manual in Physical Geology addresses many current technologies such as satellite technologies, atomic resolution imaging, seismic tomography, and UTM mapping and system. It also covers many current topics such as isostasy, origin of magma, modeling Earth's interior, rock cycling and plate tectonics, volcanic processes and hazards, numerical dating, GPS, UTM, floods, ground water, glaciers as barometers of climate change, dryland hazards, coastal hazards, earthquakes, Earth resources, and human risks.For anyone wishing to learn more about physical geology through practice exercises. ... Read more

Book Description

Physical Geology is a market-leading classic that has been used in classrooms for over 20 years.Updated to include the latest technology and most current information,Physical Geology is for both non-science majors and for students contemplating majoring in geology. The beautiful new art program and interactive writing style will grab students' attention and further their interest in geology. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Physical Geology
As a beginning geology student, I found this book to be a good start. It is well written and makes all of the concepts easy to understand. Great for learning basic geology. ... Read more

Book Description

THE CHANGING EARTH is the first text specifically written for the combined physical and historical geology course. The content is based on the best-selling texts PHYSICAL GEOLOGY: EXPLORING THE EARTH and HISTORICAL GEOLOGY: EVOLUTION OF EARTH AND LIFE THROUGH TIME both written by James Monroe and Reed Wicander. Many of the same features pervade in this edition including a strong emphasis on student relevance and comprehension.The authors lively writing style and abundant use of analogies draw students' into the material, while a completely integrated pedagogical structure enhances comprehension of important concepts.Throughout, the text emphasizes the connections between the content and students' own lives, allowing them to learn more easily and develop a greater appreciation for physical geology. ... Read more

Book Description

With a million copies in print, here comes an even larger, more up-to-date version of the most complete reference book ever published on the subject. All the gemstones ever discovered are treated in their many variations. More than 1,500 full-color photos showcase each precious and semiprecious stone in all its singular glory--in both its rough natural state and its polished and cut renditions. Each entry offers complete information on a gemstone's formation and structure, physical properties and characteristics, methods of working, cutting, and polishing.Learn about the best known, including amethyst and diamond. Find full treatments of lesser-known gems, from andalusite to vesuvian. A special section is devoted to rocks as precious stones, including alabaster, onyx, obsidian, and fossils. Organic gem materials are also covered, such as coral, ivory, amber, and pearl, plus new on the market stones like charcoite.Everything is covered, including imitations, synthetics, and combined stones. Charts and tables help you identify unknown gemstones and, when you're in the market, how to check for genuineness. This is truly the ultimate one-volume book every hobbyist, jeweler, jewelry maker and rockhound will ever need!

"Invaluable to rockhounds of all ages."--Science Teacher.

"One of the 100 outstanding Sci-Tech books of the year."--Library Journal.

"Anyone interested in minerals and gems will want a copy of this beautifully-illustrated book."--Science Books & Films.
... Read more

Reviews (15)

The best compact Gemstone reference book in the world!!!
A gemologist friend of mine introduced me to this book, and I had to have one. It is the best Gemstone reference book, especially at it's price. It includes color pictures and shows the gem in both the rough and finished state, and includes information on synthetic gemstones. Get this book for a REAL education on Gemstones.

A fantastic book for those interested in gemstones
This book is a wonderful reference for anyone that has in interest in gemstones or geology. The book has three main parts. The first is an introduction into the terminology that is used in the gemology industry. I found this section to be very inclusive and easy to understand. This section covers everything from the types of crystal structures to cutting techniques and density. This is a great section for those that are new in the world of gemology and would like a more in depth explanation of gemstones.
The next major section deals with well known gemstones. Every stone you can think of from diamond to emerald is covered in this section. The section is reserved for stones that most everyone has heard of and are readily available at any store. This section is layed out in a field guide type format as opposed to an in depth paragraph discussion. Each stone has a description of its characteristics and colored photos of multiple examples. The photos are beautifully done with several different examples of each stone shown.
The final section is reserverd form more uncommon gemstones. This section will be sure to surprise you. For example petrified wood is shown as a more uncommon gemstone. Even the most experienced gemologist will learn something new in this section..The pictures and layout of this section are the same as in the previous section.
I highly recommend this book to people with an interest in geology or gemology. This book is not a book that is best read cover to cover. It is better used as a reference because of its layout and abundance of information. No matter what you use it for you will be fascinated with the information and captivated by the photography. A wonderful book that will keep you entertained for hours.

Most useful of all my gemstone/ jewelry books so far
For decades I wore only white diamonds (nothing colored of any kind) simply because they went with everything and to me they were the easiest gems for the layperson buyer to become 'intelligent' about. Having recently found an excellent jeweller who's also a goldsmith and graduate gemologist, I'm now venturing into the world of colored gems, including colored diamonds. Very confusing! This book has helped enormously, though. For each gem there's all the usual basic info such as Mohs' scale hardness, along with other stuff that'll make your jeweller sit up and take proper notice of ya! : chemical composition, refractive index, density, fluorescence, double refraction and pleiochroism (if any), and so on and so forth. Not to worry, those are all explained in separate sections. There's also : info on all the colors each particular stone comes in, plus useful pictures ; a section for each stone on which others look similar enough to be confused with it ; sections on various treatments (usually for color enhancement) and on created & artifical stones ; and much much more. Simply packed with useful, well-organized info, very well laid out and easy on the eyes despite being fairly small for a hardbound book.

Gem Identification Guide To Gems & Precious Stones
I do jewelry appraisals and gem identifications and this book has helped me more than any other. It is a MUST for buying and selling (does not list prices). I have worn mine out and have just ordered a new one. I have had it for approximately ten or more years. You will be fascinated even if you are not buying or selling. Peruse it and enjoy!!!
Katherine Beasley G.G., A.J.P. (GIA)

great little book
I have learned a lot from this book and find it very beneficial as someone who is new to gemstones. It has great pictures, hardness scales and a lot of valuable information. I would recommend it. ... Read more

Book Description

Braja M. Das' PRINCIPLES OF GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING provides civil engineering students and professionals with an overview of soil properties and mechanics, combined with a study of field practices and basic soil engineering procedures. Through four editions, this book has distinguished itself by its exceptionally clear theoretical explanations, realistic worked examples, thorough discussions of field testing methods, and extensive problem sets, making this book a leader in its field.Das's goal in revising this best-seller has been to reorganize and revise existing chapters while incorporating the most up-to-date information found in the current literature. Additionally, Das has added numerous case studies as well as new introductory material on the geological side of geotechnical engineering, including coverage of soil formation. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

This is a great intro book on Soil Mechanics.
I just finished taking a intro Soil Mechanics class using this book. We completed all 16 chapters which is quite a feat for any engineering class.

I thought the book was very good at laying out the conceptual aspects of soil mechanics and it was very easy to read through, espcially for an engineering book. The book has lots of illustrations and pictures (B&W). The books chapter layout was a little bass ackwards (Ch 11-14). The book has a fair amount of sample problems, at least one for every concept. However Engineering students regarding solved problems are like crack addicts on the streets, you can never have enough of what you desire.

I would actually rate this book a 4.5/5.0......but I had to round up.

Much to be desired.
I first bought this book as a required text for a couple of my modules in school. This book is very effective when it comes to presenting the mathematical formula, examples and graphs. However, the discussions of tests and soil behaviour left much to be desired.

This book would be suitable for people who just started on soil mechanics. ... Read more

Book Description

• Designed to give engineers a crash course in all aspects of modern geotechnical and foundation engineering
• Takes readers step-by-step through the typical process of a design project--from proposal-writing to the final preparation of the "as built" report
• Includes numerous visual aids: photographs, charts, tables, and more than 350 illustrations

Reviews (5)

A good book for a novice soils engineer
Reasonably well rounded book (at a reasonably good price!) illustrating the practical aspects of geotechnical engineering. Concepts are explained in good detail and solved problems are helpful in promoting understanding. Essentially, a good book to start out your tech library, but too general in nature to be considered for a "reference text". For that, you might rely on books by Terzaghi, Peck, Thornburn, Bowles, Fang, etc.

Great for the PE
I took this book in with me for the PE exam and it helped me get about 10 problems right. There are tons of examples and problems with solutions in this book. I regret not taking the geotechnical section of the PE exam.

The Author Responds
What divergent opinions !! Naturally I think the book is loaded with practical geotechnical information, including tons of solved problems. Give the book a chance and decide for yourself. Many thanks to my supporters....

Not worth the money!
The book is too oriented to domestic US soils, and the aproach is superficial and over-simplified. The amount of useful information is less than 5% of the huge size of the volume. Really a waste of money.

Useful
I have examined the book and find it to be an excellent book for learning the practical aspects of geotechnical engineering. The author is uptodate and thorough, yet he explains in a very down-to-earth style, by photographs and numerical examples, some very real engineering problems a geotechnical engineer is likely to face in practice. ... Read more

Book Description

HISTORICAL GEOLOGY: EVOLUTION OF EARTH AND LIFE THROUGH TIME teaches students basic geologic principles as well as how scientists apply these principles to unravel Earths history. Wicander and Monroe present a balanced overview of both the geological and biological history of Earth as a continuum of inter-related events. These events reflect the underlying principles and processes that have shaped our planet. The authors also explain the historical development of these basic principles and processes, and their importance in deciphering Earth history. Three major themestime, evolutionary theory, and plate tectonicsare woven together throughout the book. These themes help students link essential material to enhance their understanding of historical geology. ... Read more

Book Description

ESSENTIALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY uses the combined expertise of three respected geographers to create the ultimate tool for illustrating physical geography concepts and helping students bridge the gap between scientific theory, practical application, and the human-environmental interface. The text emphasizes student involvement and interaction in the learning process, while combining the traditional and newer systems approaches. ESSENTIALS identifies and demonstrates three major roles for the discipline--Geography as a Physical Science, Geography as the Spatial Science, and Geography as Environmental Science. Our vibrant author team consists of Gabler (Western Illinois), Petersen (Southwest Texas State) and a new addition to the team--Trapasso (Western Kentucky). Gabler's decades of authoring experience combine with Petersen's geomorphology specialty and Trapasso's climatology expertise to invigorate a classic text. We offer a unique technology package, combining two proprietary CD-ROMs with FREE InfoTrac® College Edition access. ... Read more