Beneath our Feet: The Rocks of Planet Earth [Hardcover]

Ron Vernon (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521790301 | ISBN-13: 978-0521790307 | Publication Date: January 8, 2001

How much do you know about the rocks beneath your feet--the basic materials of our planet? Their variety and beauty is astounding, especially when viewed through the microscope, where crystals of different minerals and in various arrangements are revealed in exquisite detail. While surface rocks seem so solid, they flow deep inside the earth, and, in this spectacular book, you'll see what rocks that have flowed actually look like. Eminent geologist Ron Vernon reveals the incredible beauty and variety of earth rocks, both under and on the surface. Through breathtaking photographs he captures rocks formed by heating and melting inside the earth, rocks ejected from volcanoes, rocks formed by erosion on the earth's surface, and extraterrestrial rocks that have crashed into our planet. These stunning images are accompanied by clear, nontechnical explanations of the processes underlying the creation of rocks and minerals. No other current book so cogently explains the nature and origin of rocks for nonscientists. Beneath Our Feet: The Rocks of Planet Earth is destined to be a must-have purchase for a wide-ranging audience from professional scientists to amateur rock collectors--indeed anyone interested in natural history.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Vernon, an Australian university professor, encourages readers to take a closer look at the "beautiful and variable" yet routinely overlooked rocks that surround us. In a volume as rich in photographs as it is in lucent commentary, Vernon eschews technical terms as he conducts a brisk but solidly educational discussion of the earth's amazing dynamism. His clear explanation of how the earth's mantle and crust maintain a state of flow, or constant slow motion, is effectively illustrated with striking photographs of folded rock formations in Antarctica and Australia, images that are then compared to dazzling microscopic views of the structures of various rocks. Vernon explicates the mechanics and consequences of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, and he explains how water and glacial ice shape rock and how limestone, fossils, and diamonds are formed. Finally, an appreciation of meteorites rounds out this laudable effort to train readers' eyes to see rocks not as ordinary but as the splendid products of our "hot" planet's vigor. Donna Seaman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"In a volume as rich in photographs as it is in lucent commentary, Vernon eschews technical terms as he conducts a brisk but solidly educational discussion of the earth's amazing dynamism...effectively illustrated with striking photographs of folded rock formations in Antarctica and Australia, images that are then compared to dazzling microscopic views of the structures of various rocks." Booklist

"...beautifully illustrated...The pictures are incredible, guaranteed to make a rock lover out of anyone." The Tampa (FL) Tribune

"This is one of the most beautifully illustrated books that I have ever seen. It should be in every high school and public library." Journal of Geoscience Education

"It is great addition for the book shelf of anyone with even a moderate or passing interest in rocks. It should however be essential for the bookshelves of every school library. Even those that just pretend to have an adequate coverage of science can't afford to miss out on this one." Science Education News (Science Teacher's Ass. of News)

"This is just a wonderful book...This is not just another descriptive book about the solar system, but a book that explores the implications of that description...The book can be profitably read, I would think, by anyone from motivated high school students to professional scientist. It can most profitably be read by those who don't already understand the historial sciences." Graham Ryder Lunar and Planetary information Bulletin

"This book is a richly illustrated introduction to the rocks and minerals of planet Earth for everyone interested in natural history...This book is well written and easy to understand as it is intended for non-specialists; it will benefit any one from students to hobbyists who are interested in rocks and minerals...This book. Beneath our Feet, the Rocks of Planet Earth, will be a good resource book to add to any library and will be an excellent reference for students who are learning about Earth Materials or Earth Systems." Episodes

"This attractive book defies classification. It is pretty enough to be a "coffee table" book...but substantial enough...to deserve a place on public-library shelves as a splendid geology-for -nongeologists treatment." Science Books & Films

"The best natural history books blend science and art. Beneath Our Feet does just that...This is one of the most beautifully illustrated books that I have ever seen. It should be in every high school and public library." Journal of Geoscience Education.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (January 8, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521790301
• ISBN-13: 978-0521790307
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #861,773 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beneath Our Feet, November 26, 2001

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Beneath our Feet: The Rocks of Planet Earth (Hardcover)

As an avid amateur, I found this book delightful. Beautiful photographs, and easy to understand explanations. In particular, the detailed descriptions of the thin sections were extremely educational. Most texts that include photographs of thin sections are way over my head. This book was easy to comprehend, and afforded me an insight to thin sections, and why petrologists use them. If you have ever been puzzled by what a thin section actually reveals, buy this book. That answer alone is worth it.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rocks Can Be Fun - And Beautiful., May 27, 2001

By 

Bruce Crocker "agnostictrickster" (Whittier, California United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beneath our Feet: The Rocks of Planet Earth (Hardcover)

Beneath Our Feet: The Rocks Of Planet Earth by Ron Vernon is a superb book that fills a gap that no one may have known existed. The writing is simple, but accurate and eloquent. The reader of this book will be able to jettison the 'all rocks look alike' feeling and go out into the world with enough observational smarts to be a budding petrologist. The illustrating photographs are a good mixture of landscapes, hand specimen photos and photos of thin sections. This book is a smart book for interested people without a background in petrology. If the Roadside Guide books interest you, but seem a little overwhelming, try this book first. The book fills a gap between collecting guides and college petrology books. The book will feel good in your hands and your brain when you read it, as well as look good on your coffee table. This book is not just for the committed rockhound!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a great little book, April 3, 2004

By 

Wyote (Seoul) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Beneath our Feet: The Rocks of Planet Earth (Hardcover)

I'm very puzzled by the reviewer who said he hid the book because he was embarrassed that he bought it. Actually this is not a bad book at all. It is a very pretty account of the rock cycle, of the formation of rocks and landforms. It is not for the academic geologist, but for the hobbyist and amateur, well-written, well-explained and very well illustrated. Actually it is a wonderful book, perfect for rock collectors and so on.

Besides its general coverage of standard geology, it is unique for its microscopic photos of rocks and minerals. You will see rocks in a new way, and in these photos you can really see the processses that created the rocks. You can see details that you can't see macroscopically.

Anyway, I suspect that reviewer was being dishonest. This book is certainly no field guide to rocks, but it never claims to be. It really is wonderful for rock hounds and hikers and people who are curious about geology.