Rating: 
Summary: What people are saying about 'Reading the Earth'
Review: "It is truly a beautiful piece of work. The collection of photographs alone is probably the best in any book on geology."-- James C. Kelley, Dean, College of Science and Engineering, San Francisco State University"I looked at every page... Fine color illustrations... Despcriptions are clear and inviting... The price is far under what one might expect...."-- Arthur N. Strahler, noted teacher and author of standard texts on physical geography and geomorphology"Good stuff!... recommended for professional photographers and photo researchers who need to know the names and nature of Earth features."-- Rohn Engh, PhotoStock International"Awakens in me a new area of learning in this awesome world of ours!"-- Diane DeVito, President, Skyline Travel, Inc."This book is one big field trip to fascinating landscapes all over the world. As a college professor, I model my field trips after Jerry's relaxed and informative style. A must for anyone who loves Œreading the Earth.'"-- Carol Rabenhorst, Professor of Geography, Westminster College (Maryland)"Explains how the various Earth sceneries came to be. A marvelous reference work for anyone concerned with natural resource protection."-- Marie Curtis, Executive Director, New Jersey Environmental Lobby"The pictures are great, along with the captions. I am enjoying this book."-- Melissa S., 6th grade, Ridgewood, NJ"So readable... so colorful... makes one want to visit so many areas where landforms are extraordinary."-- Giovanna Hoffman, leader of African safaris for Alumni Flights Abroad"Wow!" --Evan Dobelle, President, Trinity College (Connecticut)
Rating:
Summary: For people who want to know . . .
Review: about geology, the earth, and why it looks the way it does. This is a good geology book - it covers the standard material, but reads easy and has LOTS of pictures to illustrate the points made. A good value for the price.
Rating:
Summary: For people who want to know . . .
Review: about geology, the earth, and why it looks the way it does. This is a good geology book - it covers the standard material, but reads easy and has LOTS of pictures to illustrate the points made. A good value for the price.
Rating: 
Summary: Over-rated photographs!
Review: As a university professor of geology, I received a promo post card raving about the photographs in this book ("Probably the best in any book on geology" etc.) The reviewers can not have seen a production copy - these photographs are muddy and fuzzy - very disappointing! I feel I have been had!The text is OK, although the author uses terms like "geosyncline" that most of use discarded years ago because of the changed interpretations that came with the plate tectonics revolution of the 1960s. If you really want coffee-table quality geological photographs, there are a number of text books in physical geology out there that fit the bill (I like Tarbuck and Lutgens, for example) although the prices are double that of this book. I am reminded of the old expression "If it seems too good to be true at the price then it probably is."
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Summary: An effective literary excursion and a genuine visual treat
Review: Clearly written, richly illustrated.... Diverse examples of landforms derived from a global set.... Technically sound, easy reading.... for home and office, or as a field companion....The complete index (including over 6,000 page entries) provides for easy reference and investigation.... Readily accessible as an upper-level high-school or introductory undergraduate text.... An effective literary excursion and a genuine visual treat, all at an extremely reasonable price. - Kevin M. Schmidt in Journal of Geoscience Education
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Summary: Absolutely Fascinating!
Review: I loved this book! It gave me a whole new look at the wonderful world we live in. I'll never look at rocks or cliffs in quite the same way again. Well researched and beautifully illustrated. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about the things around us.
Rating:
Summary: Great book !
Review: Jerome Wyckoff is the author of several very successful books on geology, including 'The Story of Geology' and 'Rock, Time and Landforms.' 'Reading the Earth' adds another excellent volume to the collection of books available to people who may have little or no formal training in geology, but who are curious about the landscapes that surround them. Its introduction describes 'Reading the Earth' as a nonspecialist's guide to landforms and one that focuses on specific kinds of landforms rather than on the complex systems that control landform evolution. From there, the reader gets an introduction to geology (timeframe, rock cycle, plate tectonics); petrology (rock types); and weathering -- along with descriptions of the landscapes created by or associated with gravity movements, hillslopes, rivers, igneous activity, structures, mountains, plateaus, plains, glaciers, deserts, karst and coasts. The book's organization is slightly different than the organization geologists usually see in various geomorphology texts, but the structure is, nonetheless, appropriate and effective. Each chapter is a logical progression of ideas and information. The content of the chapter builds on that of the other chapters, or each chapter can stand alone as a source of information on a particular type of landscape. 'Reading the Earth' is accessible to the geologist and non-geologist alike, combining rich illustrations with graceful writing. Technical explanations are balanced with poetic, evocative prose and appropriate metaphors and examples that should hold the reader's interest. Wyckoff explains technical terms well enough that they should not provide barriers to a reader who is not a geologist. Populating the book are 556 photographs and 75 line drawings, all both beautiful and effective, illustrating landforms and landform processes from around the world. Above all, the author's obvious appreciation for landscape will enhance the reader's appreciation. It is accessible to readers interested in geology and landscapes, or to students in an introductory geomorphology or landforms course. 'Reading the Earth' is also useful as a reference; it has a good index with no errors or inaccuracies. The book's format is attractive, and it is a bargain. I have already recommended 'Reading the Earth' to friends who are not geologists but are interested in geology, and I recommend it to any 'Geotimes' reader who is fond of good photography and good prose. Ellen Wohl Geotimes Magazine review - July 2000 Wohl teaches in the Department of Earth Resources at Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, Colo.
Rating:
Summary: Great book !
Review: Jerome Wyckoff is the author of several very successful books on geology, including `The Story of Geology' and `Rock, Time and Landforms.' `Reading the Earth' adds another excellent volume to the collection of books available to people who may have little or no formal training in geology, but who are curious about the landscapes that surround them. Its introduction describes `Reading the Earth' as a nonspecialist's guide to landforms and one that focuses on specific kinds of landforms rather than on the complex systems that control landform evolution. From there, the reader gets an introduction to geology (timeframe, rock cycle, plate tectonics); petrology (rock types); and weathering -- along with descriptions of the landscapes created by or associated with gravity movements, hillslopes, rivers, igneous activity, structures, mountains, plateaus, plains, glaciers, deserts, karst and coasts. The book's organization is slightly different than the organization geologists usually see in various geomorphology texts, but the structure is, nonetheless, appropriate and effective. Each chapter is a logical progression of ideas and information. The content of the chapter builds on that of the other chapters, or each chapter can stand alone as a source of information on a particular type of landscape. `Reading the Earth' is accessible to the geologist and non-geologist alike, combining rich illustrations with graceful writing. Technical explanations are balanced with poetic, evocative prose and appropriate metaphors and examples that should hold the reader's interest. Wyckoff explains technical terms well enough that they should not provide barriers to a reader who is not a geologist. Populating the book are 556 photographs and 75 line drawings, all both beautiful and effective, illustrating landforms and landform processes from around the world. Above all, the author's obvious appreciation for landscape will enhance the reader's appreciation. It is accessible to readers interested in geology and landscapes, or to students in an introductory geomorphology or landforms course. `Reading the Earth' is also useful as a reference; it has a good index with no errors or inaccuracies. The book's format is attractive, and it is a bargain. I have already recommended `Reading the Earth' to friends who are not geologists but are interested in geology, and I recommend it to any `Geotimes' reader who is fond of good photography and good prose. Ellen Wohl Geotimes Magazine review - July 2000 Wohl teaches in the Department of Earth Resources at Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, Colo.
Rating:
Summary: Stories Behind the Scenery in Wyckoff's "Reading the Earth"
Review: No question about it, this is one of the most enjoyable and photogenic books to ever be written about scenery and its geographic occurrence. Scenery enchants us, even simple calendar photos, but most people never push their mind beyond the esthetics. Mr. Wyckoff gives us more to appreciate than first glance visualizations and he does so in a way that is not as intimidating as trying to struggle through a pedantic geology text. Mr. Wyckoff chose to devote a chapter to each category of scenery rather than follow the usual geographical approach. His choice is effective because it cuts down on multiple explanations and it links the processes that shape scenery into a coherent whole. If you desire geographics, it is easy to convert. For example, a vacationer headed to the National Parks of the Colorado Plateau or to the lava country of the Columbia River Plateau will find what they are looking for in the Chapter on Plateau scenery. I found myself chuckling when I noticed a few pages where the number of place names almost exceeded the number of regular words. I advise readers to keep some detailed maps and a world atlas handy. Working back and forth between text, maps, and pictures made my reading of the book more enjoyable, almost like going on an actual vacation. Although the collection of pictures is exceptional, I would not categorize this book as a typical coffee-table pictorial, there is too much substance in it for that. The substance is delivered in a highly readable manner, not only for the benefit of people who travel extensively, but also for armchair nomads or nature enthusiasts-anybody whose innate curiosity can be piqued. This book will dramatically enlarge your horizons, especially if you have never strayed far from home; so get it and enjoy it. I congratulate Mr. Wyckoff for filling a long-standing void with his admirable blending of art and science-I give his book 5 stars.
Rating:
Summary: Stories Behind the Scenery in Wyckoff's "Reading the Earth"
Review: No question about it, this is one of the most enjoyable and photogenic books to ever be written about scenery and its geographic occurrence. Scenery enchants us, even simple calendar photos, but most people never push their mind beyond the esthetics. Mr. Wyckoff gives us more to appreciate than first glance visualizations and he does so in a way that is not as intimidating as trying to struggle through a pedantic geology text. Mr. Wyckoff chose to devote a chapter to each category of scenery rather than follow the usual geographical approach. His choice is effective because it cuts down on multiple explanations and it links the processes that shape scenery into a coherent whole. If you desire geographics, it is easy to convert. For example, a vacationer headed to the National Parks of the Colorado Plateau or to the lava country of the Columbia River Plateau will find what they are looking for in the Chapter on Plateau scenery. I found myself chuckling when I noticed a few pages where the number of place names almost exceeded the number of regular words. I advise readers to keep some detailed maps and a world atlas handy. Working back and forth between text, maps, and pictures made my reading of the book more enjoyable, almost like going on an actual vacation. Although the collection of pictures is exceptional, I would not categorize this book as a typical coffee-table pictorial, there is too much substance in it for that. The substance is delivered in a highly readable manner, not only for the benefit of people who travel extensively, but also for armchair nomads or nature enthusiasts-anybody whose innate curiosity can be piqued. This book will dramatically enlarge your horizons, especially if you have never strayed far from home; so get it and enjoy it. I congratulate Mr. Wyckoff for filling a long-standing void with his admirable blending of art and science-I give his book 5 stars.
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