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Rating: 
Summary: I beg to differ ...
Review: ... with the previous review. I used this text whilst studying second year igneous and metamorphic petrology (in Australia where the book is ~AUS$90 = ~US$45.) I found Raymond's writing style and use of language to be entirely appropriate for a text aimed at this level - if you are studying a science there is no point hiding from the jargon - the faster you learn it the more easier it will be at higher levels.Raymod gives a good general overview of igneous and metamorphis petrology (I have not used this text for sedimentary petrology,) though I did find on some occasions that I was left wanting more detail, eg. regarding calc-alkaline basalts. However, the book is easy to read, and posses something that is often overlooked - figures and tables are generally kept on the same 2 page spread as the text refering to them. Colour reproductions of photomicrographs would be a welcome addition to a future edition.
Rating:
Summary: I beg to differ ...
Review: ... with the previous review. I used this text whilst studying second year igneous and metamorphic petrology (in Australia where the book is ~AUS$90 = ~US$45.) I found Raymond's writing style and use of language to be entirely appropriate for a text aimed at this level - if you are studying a science there is no point hiding from the jargon - the faster you learn it the more easier it will be at higher levels. Raymod gives a good general overview of igneous and metamorphis petrology (I have not used this text for sedimentary petrology,) though I did find on some occasions that I was left wanting more detail, eg. regarding calc-alkaline basalts. However, the book is easy to read, and posses something that is often overlooked - figures and tables are generally kept on the same 2 page spread as the text refering to them. Colour reproductions of photomicrographs would be a welcome addition to a future edition.
Rating: 
Summary: Just read the dedication...
Review: ...to learn the level at which this textbook was written. As thorough as it is painful, this book should not be used for normal, college-level petrology classes. The sheer vocabulary used is enough to make any passionate geology student think twice about his/her choice of major. There was no reason to make a class pay this price for this textbook. Such a hefty price ought at least to spread some color images and diagrams throughout the book -- beyond the cover. All in all, professors beware: your students will not read this text for your class. They need one written in English.
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