Encyclopedia of Caves and Karst Science [Hardcover]

John Gunn (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1579583997 | ISBN-13: 978-1579583996 | Publication Date: December 11, 2003

The Encyclopedia of Caves and Karst Science contains 350 alphabetically arranged entries. The topics include cave and karst geoscience, cave archaeology and human use of caves, art in caves, hydrology and groundwater, cave and karst history, and conservation and management. The Encyclopedia is extensively illustrated with photographs, maps, diagrams, and tables, and has thematic content lists and a comprehensive index to facilitate searching and browsing.

 

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The first on caves and karst, includes a wealth of information, references, and additional reading suggestions... Entries are concise, well written, well edited, easy to read and filled with superb information... Highly recommended. All collections." -- Choice

From the Publisher

Review in New Scientist, February 2004: "The Encyclopedia of Caves and Karst Science exceeded my expectations in both range and depth of information: this book is pretty well as good as it could be. ...Editor John Gunn also manages that difficult balancing act of holding the attention of both the general reader and the cave specialist. The book's authority stems from the huge range of topics covered by about 200 experts from around the world. Specialists will find plenty of intellectual fodder in the encyclopedia, of interest not only to speleologists, but to everyone from archaeologists (impressive coverage) to zoologists via geologists, glaciologists (ice caves), hydrologists, conservationists, volcanologists (lava tubes) and so on, with topics such as safety, religion (use of caves for), history of exploration, habitation and military use (see the entry on the infamous Tora Bora caves of Afghanistan). ... Gunn and his advisory panel have produced a remarkably well-written, structured and designed book. It will be invaluable as an essential reference for anyone interested in caves and karst."

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 960 pages
• Publisher: Routledge (December 11, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579583997
• ISBN-13: 978-1579583996
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 2.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,516,982 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Caves, Caving, and things you never realized!, December 3, 2010

By 

volcanoted - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Encyclopedia of Caves and Karst Science (Hardcover)

I had checked this book out of the library while doing some research and was blown away by the diversity and amount of information it contained. While I was only looking for information on Lava Tube Caves, I found myself browsing through other topics - Cave Radio, Cave Rescue, Cave Photography, Gunung Mulu, Karst features in places I never knew about... I had to have my own copy!

This Encyclopedia is done in the old style, where individual authors (or occasionally several authors co-write) the articles that make it up. Their names are on it, so, if you need to look them up, or find their other writings, it's not too difficult.

It is a big book! and contains a lot of information. Not for the casual "I want to learn a little about caves and karst", but for someone actually looking to get into the subject. If you need a good cave reference book, as well as something that will tickle your expanding interests - Go For It...


Side Advice: If you are starting out in caving, join your local caving club (grotto), and go caving with them. Learn from experienced cavers! Be careful, and leave the cave as clean and undisturbed as when you entered it.