BOOKS ON GEOLOGY & MINERALOGY
GENERAL INTEREST & REFERENCE
"Earth" by Press and Siever, WHF, 1986, 704 pp. Fourth
edition. This classic textbook is a well constructed and comprehensive introduction
to Earth Science, and includes 662 illustrations.
£22-95 (PB).
"the best general text on Earth Science" - New Scientist
"Longman Illustrated Dictionary of Geology" by Watt,
1982, 192 pp. All the basic principles of geology are explained in this
fully illustrated dictionary in which words are grouped by topic, and which
has useful appendices and an easy-to-use index. The clear definitions and
the colourful illustrations cover all aspects of theoretical and practical
geology, including types of ores and how to classify them, types of strata,
faults, valleys and streams, the structure of the Earth and crystallography.
An ideal basic reference book, particularly for sixth formers and first
year undergraduates. It contains over 350 full colour illustrations and
diagrams and over 1500 definitions.
£5-99 (HB).
"The Visual Dictionary of the Earth" DK, 1994, 64 pp. Brings
the concept of "visual definition" to geoscience. Intriguing and
accessible to children and adults alike, this volume works in two ways:
to show what individual parts of objects are called and look like, and also
to help understand what specific words mean and the context in which they
are used.
£9-99 (HB).
"The Geological Map: An Anatomy of the Landscape" by Edmonds,
BGS, 1984. This illustrated booklet provides a generalised introduction
to the geological map.
£1-50.
"The Story of the Earth" by Dunning et al, NH, 1991, 36
pp. This begins with the cosmic origin of this ceaselessly moving inferno
and explains the creation of the environment of land, sea and air we live
in. With the use of colour photographs and diagrams throughout, it describes
the Earth's crust and explains key theories such as plate tectonics, and
major geological processes, all of which continue to shape the surface of
the Earth. Justifiably, this is a very popular guide with schools and beginners
in geology. Natural History Museum Publication. £
1-95 (PB).
"Understanding Earth" by Press and Siever, WHF, 1993, 593
pp. This new book carefully integrates the basic principles of chemistry,
physics, astronomy and biology, and focuses on environmental concerns and
discusses natural disasters. This is an up-to-date, full colour introduction
to physical geology, which looks at geological principles and Earth processes
from a contemporary perspective.
£23-95 (PB).
"The Hamlyn Guide to Minerals, Rocks and Fossils" by Hamilton
et al, RI. Colour illustrated field guide.
£8-99 (pb).
"The Mitchell Beazley Pocket Guide to Rocks, Minerals and Gemstones"
by Rigby, RI. Handy reference guide.
£6-99 (hb).
Eyewitness Handbooks - DK. These recognition guides are vivid in
presentation and broad in coverage. Each pocket-sized volume contains hundreds
of eye-catching, close-up photographs which show which show a wide range
of specimens with realism. Useful in the field or the armchair. Full colour
throughout:-
"Gemstones" - £10-99 (flexibound).
"Rocks and Minerals" - £16-99 (hb), £14-99 (fb).
"Fossils" - £16-99 (hb), £14-99 (fb).
Eyewitness Question & Answer Books - DK, 64 pp. Each of these
is a stimulating collection of 250 unusual questions illustrated with unique
Eyewitness photos.
Each £8-99 (HB).
"Crystal and Gem"
"Dinosaur"
"Fossil"
"Rock and Mineral"
"Volcano"
"Weather"
"My nine-year-old son reads these with the same interest and intensity
that he usually reserves for comics ... but then, I find them almost impossible
to put down as well." - Daily Telegraph.
"Crystals" by Mercer, NH, 1990, 60 pp. Crystals are
all around. In arctic seas, deserts and furnaces, around the stars, inside
plants and animals (including us) and deep within the Earth. Yet they conform
to only a few basic three dimensional patterns. With over 150 colour pictures,
this book provides an appealing introduction to the world of crystals and
has proven especially popular with schools. Natural History Museum Publication.
£4-95 (PB).
"The pictures alone will sell this book." - Geology Today
"Gemstones" by Woodward and Harding, NH, 1987, 60 pp.
When white light strikes and travels through a gem, it gives the illusion
of colour. Discover the dazzling world of gemstones in this colour-illustrated
bestselling book which includes dozens of specially commissioned photographs.
Natural History Museum .
£5-95 (PB).
"Agates" by Macpherson, NH, 1989, 72 pp. When cut and polished
agates are among the most beautiful of semi-precious stones. This book contains
stunning colour photographs and informative text on agates, their distribution
around the British Isles, collecting, cutting and polishing. A detailed
list of agate localities (which includes many national grid reference numbers
for Scotland) should prove invaluable to the ever growing number of agate
enthusiasts and clubs. Natural History Museum Publication.
£5-95 (PB).
"Will appeal equally to mineral enthusiasts of long-standing and
to those with no previous addiction; it is the same uniformly high quality
as "Gemstones" (above) and would make an ideal companion to it.
Every home should have them." - Geologists' Association Circular.
"Meteorites - the key to our existence" by Hutchison
and Graham, NH, 1992, 60 pp. "... gives a well-illustrated and informative
account of the present state of knowledge about meteorites, and discusses
what they tell us of the evolution of the Solar System and also of the evolution
of life on Earth....its wealth of interesting illustrations. It is worth
its price for these alone, but it is also an excellent short review, and
I strongly recommend it. It is also a very good book for school libraries
to have on their shelves, providing much information not available in standard
textbooks to support the National Curriculum in Science..." - Geologists'
Association Circular. Natural History Museum Publication.
£5-95 (PB).
"Fossils - the key to the past" by Fortey, NH, 1991, 185
pp. "Fortey's book is original in that it views the fossils as a product
of the continuously changing Earth...text flows well and is written with
confidence and in a pleasant, uncomplicated style" - Journal of Geology.
"...authoritative and attractive...especially good sections on 'bringing
fossils to life', on extinction, on the early life of the Precambrian and
Cambrian, and on the use of microfossils in stratigraphy." - Nature.
Natural History Museum. Illustrated in colour and b/w.
£12-95 (PB).
"Volcanoes" by van Rose and Mercer, NH, 1991, 60 pp. Spectacular
new colour photographs are supported by a greatly revised text in this second
edition of "Volcanoes". Thirty-six short sections cover everything
from mud-flows to runny lava, from plate tectonics to the birth of the Atlantic
Ocean, from the eruption of Mount St Helens in 1980 to Santorini in 1645
BC. This is a superb introduction to the subject and is very popular with
schools. Natural History Museum.
£5-95 (PB).
"It presents a concise and intelligent summary of the major aspects
of volcanism in a highly attractive format." - Geological Magazine.