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

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

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

First published in 1982, Don Turcotte and Jerry Schubert's Geodynamics became a classic textbook for several generations of students of geophysics and geology. The authors bring this text completely up-to-date in this second edition. Important additions include a chapter on chemical geodynamics, an updated coverage of comparative planetology based on recent planetary missions, and a variety of other new topics. Geodynamics provides the fundamentals necessary for an understanding of the workings of the solid earth, describing the mechanics of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and mountain building in the context of the role of mantle convection and plate tectonics. Observations such as the earth's gravity field, surface heat flow, distribution of earthquakes, surface stresses and strains, and distribution of elements are discussed. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

One of the Outstanding Textbooks in Geophysics EVER
Turcotte and Schubert updated their 1982 edition to account for new developments in geoscience, and the result is the most comprehensive textbook on geophysics for the upper level undergraduate/graduate student. It is an outstanding reference, and is clear and concise in its treatment of a variety of geophysical phenomena. Stress/Strain, Elasticity and Flexure, Fluid Mechanics, Heat Transfer, Gravity, Rock Rheology, and Planetology are all treated with detail and provide the student with a tremendous introduction to geophysics. I recommend it to all geologists and geophysicists!

Life in the real world...
"Geodynamics" has been a classic text in the field of, well, Geodynamics since the first edition came out, and it remains a brave attempt to squeeze a large amount of detail into one volume. In many ways however, this attempt is misguided. The material suffers from overcrowding in many chapters, and different approaches are used to solve the same problem, giving wildly different answers, with no attempt made to qualify which method is accepted as the most realistic.
A fairly comprehensive set of questions are liberally sprinkled throughout each chapter, although the one-number answers at the back of the book are usually insufficient, and some brief explanation would greatly enhance user-friendliness.
The main problem I found with this textbook however, is the inability to link the numerical methods presented with real world situations. The complexities of plate deformation for example are reduced to a set of sections on beam-bending, with little or no attempt at the end to draw the lessons learnt from the exercise back into some meaningful discussion of how the earth behaves. This is a common failure of analytical approaches to Earth Science problems, that the construction of a mathematical framework becomes an end in itself, and that real data are ignored or manipulated to shoehorn them into the predictions of the model. "Geodynamics" is a good summary of the techniques used to try to understand the workings of the earth, but often leaves one with a hollow feeling that one hasn't really learned anything about the earth itself at the end of each chapter.

This is a magnificent book. I am pleased to see new edition.
I have known the first edition of this remarkable book, and am pleased to see the revised and improved version out. I hope that many Geophysicist will have a copy in their library eventually.

May I wish all Earth Scientists a nice research work.

Tuncay Taymaz ... Read more

Book Description

This unique textbook presents a comprehensive overview of the fundamental principles of geophysics. Unlike most geophysics textbooks, it combines both the applied and theoretical aspects to the subject. The author explains complex geophysical concepts using abundant diagrams, a simplified mathematical treatment, and easy-to-follow equations. After placing the Earth in the context of the solar system, he describes each major branch of geophysics: gravitation, seismology, dating, thermal and electrical properties, geomagnetism, paleomagnetism and geodynamics. Each chapter begins with a summary of the basic physical principles, and a brief account of each topic's historical evolution. The book will satisfy the needs of intermediate-level earth science students from a variety of backgrounds, while at the same time preparing geophysics majors for continued study at a higher level. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Let's be sincere
This book is what its title says "FUNDAMENTALS", I think it's a pre-basic book about Geophysics. There are other books better than this one, i.e. Telford's "Applied Geophysics" and Garland's "Introduction to Geophysics" (this is what Mr. Lowrie says). ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Best geology book ever!
I own a copy of the fifth edition of this book. I am a science junkie and enjoy reading science text books. I find geology particularly interesting and over the years I have read dozens and dozens of geology textbooks. Earth's Dynamic Systems is by far the best I have ever read. If I was ever to teach a geology class, this is the book I would use. The line of thinking is so clear and logical in this book it is a joy to read. The illustrations are among the best I have ever seen and I have just the old the 5th ed. Generally when there are a number of good books on a given subject, they are all pretty much the same in quality. But that is not the case here, this book is head and shoulders above all other geology books. The edition I have also came with a lab manual that I also highly recommend. A wonderful set of books I am proud to own. If you are looking for a definitive single book that best covers all of geology, this is it. In this one book is more geology than in several other books put together. If you thoroughly read this book, you will know geology better than most geologists, it really is that good.

Un exelente libro fuera del alcance de los latinos
Hamblin y Christiansen han creado el perfecto balance entre lo esencialmente tecnico y lo ampliamente comprensible. Es una obra que durara toda la vida en manos de geologos, geofisicos y cualquier amante del estudio del planeta tierra.

Un exelente libro que, por su excesivo costo para latinoamérica, está fuera del alcance de muchos estudiantes quienes continuaremos estudiando en la bibliotecas.

Una exelente obra de los autores y un muy mal acto de la editora.

THE most colorful geology book ever
If you want a basic book that will help you understand geology you need this book. the book can fit anyone from age 7 to 70 (while you still see). every kid can understand basic geology concepts by looking at the pictures and reading the wothy text. even if you are a geologist like me you still enjoy wonderful pictures and great explanations. the glossary and the index help you find and understand hard words and terms ... Read more

Book Description

Hardbound. Providing the latest developments in the application of electromagnetic methods, this title is a revised edition of the book "Frequency and Transient Soundings" by A.A. Kaufman and G.V. Keller published in 1983.

In this volume the physical principles, theory and interpretation of electromagnetic soundings and profiling are developed and explained.The authors systematically derive the relationships between components of electromagnetic fields measured, transmitter-receiver separations and frequency spectrum on the one hand, and parameters of geoelectric sections on the other hand.

In addition you will find case histories illustrating the applications of modern instruments for electromagnetic soundings and profiling in agricultural and geotechnical engineering, environmental site assessments and ground water investigations. ... Read more

Book Description

This popular undergraduate textbook offers students a firm grounding in the fundamentals of biological oceanography.As well as a clear and accessible text, learning is enhanced with numerous illustrations including a colour section, thorough chapter summaries, and questions with answers and comments at the back of the book.



The comprehensive coverage of this book encompasses the properties of seawater which affect life in the ocean, classification of marine environments and organisms, phytoplankton and zooplankton, marine food webs, larger marine animals (marine mammals, seabirds and fish), life on the seafloor, and the way in which humans affect marine ecosystems.

The second edition has been thoroughly updated, including much data available for the first time in a book at this level.There is also a new chapter on human impacts - from harvesting vast amounts of fish, pollution, and deliberately or accidentally transferring marine organisms to new environments.

This book complements the Open University Oceanography Series, also published by Butterworth-Heinemann, and is a set text for the Open University third level course, S330.

A leading undergraduate text
New chapter on human impacts - a highly topical subject
Expanded colour plate section ... Read more

Book Description

Raymond S. Bradley provides his readers with a comprehensive and up-to-date review of all of the important methods used in paleoclimatic reconstruction, dating and paleoclimate modeling. Two comprehensive chapters on dating methods provide the foundation for all paleoclimatic studies and are followed by up-to-date coverage of ice core research, continental geological and biological records, pollen analysis, radiocarbon dating, tree rings and historical records. New methods using alkenones in marine sediments and coral studies are also described. Paleoclimatology, Second Edition, is an essential textbook for advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students studying climatology, paleoclimatology and paleooceanography worldwide, as well as a valuable reference for lecturers and researchers, appealing to archaeologists and scientists interested in environmental change.

* Contains two up-to-date chapters on dating methods
* Consists of the latest coverage of ice core research, marine sediment and coral studies, continental geological and biological records, pollen analysis, tree rings, and historical records
* Describes the newest methods using alkenones in marine sediments and long continental pollen records
* Addresses all important methods used in paleoclimatic reconstruction
* Includes an extensive chapter on the use of models in paleoclimatology
* Extensive and up-to-date bibliography
* Illustrated with numerous comprehensive figure captions ... Read more

Book Description

The brief, paperback version of the best-selling Earth Science, this book offers a user-friendly overview of the physical environment. It retains the hallmarks expected from Fred Lutgens and Ed Tarbuck—a reader-friendly writing style, carefully crafted art program, and coverage of the most recent current events. For the first time, each copy of the book comes packaged with the GEODe: Earth Science CD-ROM.Discusses key topics such as Earth materials, earth's external and internal processes, Earth's history, the global ocean, and the atmosphere.For anyone interested in Earth Science. ... Read more

Book Description

This text provides a foundation in both the theoretical and practical aspects of radiative transfer, for advanced students of atmospheric, oceanic and environmental sciences. The transfer of solar and infrared radiation through optically-thick clouds, aerosol layer, and the oceanic mixed layer is presented through the use of heuristic models of scattering and absorption, and a systematic approach to formulation and solution of the radiative transfer equation. Problems such as the the transmission of ultraviolet radiation through the atmosphere and ocean, remote sensing, solar heating and infrared cooling processes, UV biological dose rates, and Greenhouse warming are solved using a variety of methods. This self-contained, systematic treatment will prepare students from a range of disciplines in problems concerning the effects of solar and infrared radiation on natural systems. The hardback edition received excellent reviews. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great physical insight solving radiative transfer problems
This text covers a broad range of topics in radiative transfer with clarity and style. What is particularly appreciated is that the text not only provides detailed solutions to radiative transfer problems, but discusses their weaknesses and strengths in practical applications, and also provides unusual insight into their physical meaning. My only complaint is that the notation is somewhat unconventional (for example the single-scattering albedo is represented by 'a'), and this takes some getting used to. ... Read more

Book Description

B> Designed give readers instruction and practice with basic geologic field and lab skills, this exceptionally affordable--yet high-quality--lab manual/workbook features 68 unique and intuitive exercises that covering 19 key geologic topics. The exercises are based on the principles of scientific inquiry, and challenge readers to think beyond the activity at hand to the larger questions of applied geologic work. Problems range from the simple to complex, and calculations are based on simple arithmetic.ROCK EVOLUTION. Minerals and Rocks. MAPPING THE EARTH. Topographic Maps. Air Photos. Geologic Maps, Structures, and Earth History. Seismic Reflections Reveal Subsurface Geology. SURFICIAL PROCESSES AND THE ENVIRONMENT. Landslides. Streams. Ground Water. Glaciation. Beaches. PLATE TECTONICS. Earthquakes and Seismic Risk. Volcanos and Volcanic Hazards. Earthquakes, Volcanos, and Plate Tectonics. Plate Movements. EARTH MATERIALS. Rock-forming Minerals. Igneous Rocks. Sedimentary Rocks. Metamorphic Rocks. Common Rocks in the Field.For anyone interested in learning geologic field and lab skills. ... Read more

Book Description

The purpose of this monograph is both to introduce and review developed topographic methods for discovering 2D and 3D structures of the ionosphere and to discuss the experimental implementation of these methods. The theoretical part deals with the solution of the inverse problem of diffraction tomography for a wide range of properties of ionospheric media. Examples are given to illustrate the experimental reconstruction of electron-density distributions in ionospheric sections. In addition to addressing the specialist researcher, the detailed derivations and explanations make this book an excellent starting point for nonspecialists and graduate students who wish to enter this exciting new field to which the authors have made pioneering contributions. ... Read more

Book Description

This unrivalled, five-volume reference work covers all aspects of geology including earth history, earth materials, surface processes, regional geology, economic geology, engineering geology, petroleum geology, geochemical and mineral exploration, and the history of geology. The techniques of remote sensing and other tools of investigation that have advanced rapidly over the last few decades are described in detail.

Encyclopedia of Geology is divided into 340 articles, each covering one aspect of geology. The concepts and theory are explained at a level that allows undergraduates and educated lay people to understand them. The reference has been planned and structured to provide the user with a comprehensive coverage of the core knowledge in each area. It will become the reference of choice for today's geologists and beyond.

Also available on ScienceDirect in 2005.
For online version information, please visit http://www.info.sciencedirect.com/reference_works

*340 articles
*Over 3200 pages
*Full colour throughout
*Theory and applications of geology
*Extensive cross-referencing
*Further Reading lists accompany each article ... Read more

Book Description

Volcanoes are unquestionably one of the most spectacular and awe-inspiring features of the physical world. Our paradoxical fascination with them stems from their majestic beauty and powerful, if sometimes deadly, destructiveness.
Notwithstanding the tremendous advances in volcanology since ancient times, some of the mystery surrounding volcanic eruptions remains today. The Encyclopedia of Volcanoes summarizes our present knowledge of volcanoes. Through its thematic organization around the melting of the earth, it provides a comprehensive source of information on the multidisciplinary influences of volcanic eruptions--both the destructive as well as the beneficial aspects.
The majority of the chapters focus on the geoscience-related aspects of volcanism (radioactive heat source, melting rock, ascent of magma, surface phenomena associated with exiting magma, extraterrestrial volcanism, etc.). In addition, complementary chapters discuss the multidisciplinary aspects of volcanism; these include the history of volcanology, geothermal energy resources, interaction with the oceans and atmosphere, health aspects of volcanism, mitigation of volcanic disasters, post-eruption ecology, and the impact of eruptions on organismal biodiversity.

In addition to its appeal to educators, students, and professional andamateur scientists, the Encyclopedia of Volcanoes functions as an important information resource for administrators and officials responsible for developing and implementing volcanic hazard mitigation around the world.

*The first and only reference work to cover all aspects of volcanology
*More than 80 separate peer-reviewed articles--all original contributions by leading authors from major institutions of science around the world, commissioned for this work
*An integrated transition from the volcanic process through hazards, risk, and societal impacts, with an emphasis on how volcanoes have influenced and shaped society
*Convenient single-volume format with topics arranged thematically--articles provide coverage of nine different aspects of volcanology
*Each entry in the Encyclopedia begins with an outline of the article content and a concise definition of the subject of the article
*3,000 Glossary entries explain key terms
*Further Reading lists appear at the end of each entry
*Extensive cross-referencing system links related articles
*Sixteen pages of color will convey the science and excitement of this often violent phenomena
*Large 8 1/2" x 11" page size, easy-to-read double-column format ... Read more

Reviews (6)

...from a student's perspective...
I found this text to be incredibly useful, especially considering the noticable dearth of textbooks dealing with volcanoes. The encyclopedia is comprehensible, yet in depth, and covers a broad range of topics. Whenever I have a volcano question I start here first!

EXCELLENT
An excellent book. Written by some of the worlds most renowed experts-one of whom I am fortunate enough to know!
The book is well worth the money as every aspect of volcanology is covered.
I would recommend this book to anyone with a serious intest in volcanology.

The state of the science
Great compendium of volcanology. Especially thrilling to an older geologist to see the advances in knowledge since we got out of school; for instance, seismic tomography has mapped actual magma chambers, which were semi-mythic suppositions in my undergrad day; and lo, there is the anatomy of the very volcanoes I grew up under. The book comprises dozens of specially submitted articles by diverse international authors, so you get many perspectives, not just of different disciplines, but of authors' sense of how they relate to others.

Flawed by abundant typos. The editing of this book is a great advance over say The Solar System by the same Academic Press, which was a mangled turnip; but they still have a ways to go. It is disappointing to see major scientific works bungled by bottom line that slashes proofing. NASA is probably largely responsible for the Solar System mess (Sally Ride, take a course in remedial english!). Geologists are a lot more meticulous than astronauts. But the buck shd stop with the publisher.

So buy this book and complain to Academic Press. Buy it before it goes out of print and you have to kick yourself; it will be long before the like comes again.

The King of Volcano References
As a master's student studying volcanology and remote sensing, and a research assistant at the Alaska Volcano Observatory, I can honestly say this is it! From the depths of the mantle on Earth to the dynamic volcanism on Juptier's moon Io, the large team of authors and editors cover every aspect of volcanology possible in this 1,000 + page book. The book is extremely organized, complete with a detailed index, large glossary, and most importantly, references to journal publications. The book also uses high quality images and photos (black and white and in color), as well as scientific graphs, tables, and plots of data when necessary. Despite being written by such a wide array of scientists from all over the world, this encyclopedia is written with both volcanologists and the lay person in mind. This impressive compilation is well worth the price.

The best book I ever read.
This book is the best! There isn't anything that the average person isn't able to understand.This book was written by people that have a passon for what they do and love. My hat is off to DR. Sigurdsson for giveing us this masterpice. ... Read more

Book Description

Looking into the Earth comprehensively describes the principles and applications of both "global" and "exploration" geophysics on all scales. It forms an introduction to geophysics for geologists, civil engineers, environmental scientists, and field archaeologists. The book is organized into two parts: Part 1 describes the geophysical methods, while Part 2 illustrates their use in a number of extended case histories. Mussett and Khan introduce mathematical and physical principles at an elementary level, and then develop them as necessary. Student questions and exercises are included at the end of each chapter. Written for introductory and intermediate level courses in geology, earth science, environmental science, and engineering, this is also an excellent introductory textbook in geophysics. ... Read more

Book Description

This Second Edition of An Introduction to Atmospheric Radiation has been extensively revised to address the fundamental study and quantitative measurement of the interactions of solar and terrestrial radiation with molecules, aerosols, and cloud particles in planetary atmospheres. It contains 70% new material, much of it stemming from the investigation of the atmospheric greenhouse effects of external radiative perturbations in climate systems, and the development of methodologies for inferring atmospheric and surface parameters by means of remote sensing. Liou's comprehensive treatment of the fundamentals of atmospheric radiation was developed for students, academics, and researchers in atmospheric sciences, remote sensing, and climate modeling.

Key Features
*Balanced treatment of fundamentals and applications
*Includes over 170 illustrations to complement the concise description of each subject
*Numerous examples and hands-on exercises at the end of each chapter ... Read more

Book Description

This scholarly text provides an introduction to the numerical methods used to model partial differential equations governing wave-like and weakly dissipative flows. The focus of the book is on fundamental methods and standard fluid dynamical problems such as tracer transport, the shallow-water equations and the Euler equations. The emphasis is on methods appropriate for applications in atmospheric and oceanic science, but these same methods are also well-suited for the simulation of wave-like flows in many other scientific and engineering disciplines.

The text discusses finite-difference, spectral, finite-element and finite-volume methods. Also included are additional chapters on semi-Lagrangian schemes, non-reflecting boundary conditions and methods for the efficient solution of problems that include physically insignificant rapidly propagating waves.

Throughout the book the author has followed a middle ground between the theorem-proof formalism of a pure mathematics text and the highly empirical approach found in some engineering publications. Although there are no formal proofs, the essential characteristics of the various schemes are mathematically derived in a style familiar to physical scientists. Numerical examples illustrating the theoretically derived properties of the various methods are presented throughout the book to establish a concrete link between theory and practice. Both theoretical and applied problems are provided at the end of each chapter.

Numerical Methods for Wave Equations in Geophysical Fluid Dynamics will be useful as a senior undergraduate and graduate text and as a reference for those teaching or using numerical methods, particularly for those concentrating on fluid dynamics.

Dale R. Durran is a professor at the University of Washington, Seattle. He has a doctorate in meteorology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a master's in mathematics from UC Berkeley.From the reviews:"...The book's unquestionable advantage is the clarity and simplicity in presenting virtually all basic ideas and methods of numerical analysis currently actively used in geophysical fluid dynamics." -Physics of Atmosphere and Ocean "...an excellent reference...should be brought to the attention of readers in meteorology, oceanography, physics, mechanics and engineering... an excellent text book...the extensiveness, theoretical and practical extent this book reaches make it a classical work." -Acta Meteorologica Sinica ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A great textbook!
In this introductory text space is equally divided into traditional methods (finite difference and spectral) and more modern methods (finite volume and semi-Lagrangian) for solving GFD-related PDEs. The book also contains chapters on filtering of physically insignificant fast waves and on open boundary conditions. Arguably these subjects can be learned by studying a collection of specialty books, but very seldom one finds even-handed treatment of all major techniques in a single book like this. More important, the breadth in scope does not come at the cost of depth or conciseness in presentation. Rather, the book achieves a delightful balance between breadth and depth, as well as between theory and practice. Not only is it an important successer to the long-respected Haltiner and Williams (1984), but it is much more readable.

I used the book to teach a graduate course on numerical methods at the University of Chicago. I could not cover the entire book in a 10-week quarter, but was able to cover chapters 2,3,4 and 5. The clearly written text was very helpful in organizing the class material.

The problems sets at the end of each chapter are also well designed, albeit mostly theoretical. It would be helpful to have separate programming assignments based on these problems, so students can learn how to apply principles into practice. ... Read more

Book Description

Geosystems is written, organized, and illustrated to give new learners an accessible, systematic, and visually appealing start in the study of physical geography. This edition includes the brand new Geography Animations CD. A four-part organization of chapter covers the energy-atmosphere system; the water, weather, and climate systems; the earth-atmosphere interface; and soils, ecosystems, and biomes. For individuals with an interest in physical geography.

Reviews (2)

Ugh!
The subject of Physical Geography is challenging enough, the last thing students need is a poorly written text book.

A textbook to keep for a lifetime
I am a Teaching Assistant at UC Santa Barbara and relied heavily on Christopherson's text through 2 quarters of introductory physical geography. The book succeeds in its mission: it clearly explains the fundamental principles of the Earth's interacting atmosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere, and it does so in a geographic context. The theme of interacting systems holds the material together, allowing students to integrate the multitude of basic concepts into a big picture. Christopherson takes time to include material on how humans interact with the various earth systems, a very relevant topic today with disasters in the news and environmental problems abounding. The text works best for students with a solid high school background in science, but seems achievable even for students who "hate science" or have a poor background in it. At the same time, due to extensive, well thought out diagrams, side-boxes, web references, and many thoughtful pictures, the text is engaging enough to keep even the most advanced students (and T.A. graduate students!) reading. Geosystems is considerably more accessible than Strahler & Strahler's Physical Geography, although the latter book should be preferred for more advanced courses. The only negative point of any significance is the CD-ROM included with the book. Perhaps it was my PC, but I found it clumsy to use, with small pictures, little interaction and generally not worth anyone's time. Few students even tried it, and none found it helpful for learning the material. Hopefully this will be revamped in future additions. In conclusion, I should mention that in addition to its academic virtures, the text is one of the most beautiful textbooks I have ever had the pleasure of owning. I have heard that Christopherson essentially has devoted his career to the production and revision of this text, and it shows. It is the kind of book you can profitably keep on your shelf, coffee table, or under your seat during a cross-country road trip. ... Read more