The Geologic Story of the National Parks and Monuments, 4th Edition

Rating:
Summary: Essential for the Cross-Country Traveller
Review: An excellent book for both the seasoned geologist and the layperson, although recommended for somebody with a general understanding of geology. The book is not designed as a typical 'guidebook' that would be carried along on a hike, although its text book-like dimensions are more than acceptable as a vacation companion. Fantastic for the traveller embarking on a tour of the U.S. National Parks, as the chapters are conveniently arranged according to physiographic province. Sorry, folks, but Canada and Mexico are not included. The authors admirably describe not only the geologic feature being observed, but also the 'how' and 'why' it exists. The descriptions and explanations are thorough and easy to read. Overall, the photography is fair (several of the photographs could better serve the spectacular features being discussed) and many of the figures could be more closely related to the topic. However, the majority of the figures, especially the sketched figures, are informative and easy to understand.