Glaciers and Glaciation (Hodder Arnold Publication) [Paperback]

Douglas I. Benn (Author), David J. A. Evans (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0340584319 | ISBN-13: 978-0340584316 | Publication Date: November 15, 1997 | Edition: 1

This major new text provides a synthesis of the nature, origin and behavior of glacier systems and the geological and geomorphological evidence for their former existence. It features a superb collection of color and black and white photographs, over 300 in all, together with over 450 line diagrams. Using case studies drawn from around the world, it is referenced throughout and concludes with a fully comprehensive bibliography.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"[A] marvelous new book....Their book truly stands as a modern synthesis that will be appreciated by professional scientists and graduate students both inside and outside the discipline....This book is the best of its kind, an impressive contribution to science and to education; I recommend it without reservation."--Eos

About the Author

Douglas I. Benn is at University of Aberdeen. David J.A. Evans is at University of Glasgow.

Product Details

• Paperback: 760 pages
• Publisher: Hodder Education Publishers; 1 edition (November 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0340584319
• ISBN-13: 978-0340584316
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 7.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,233,543 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Text on the Science of Glaciers and Glaciation, February 10, 2006

By 

Gary W. Fogg (Topsham, Maine United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Glaciers and Glaciation (Hodder Arnold Publication) (Paperback)

Glaciers and Glaciation by Douglas Benn and David Evans is an excellent review of the current theory and underlying principles of glacier science. It is copiously illustrated with black and white photographs, line drawings, diagrams, charts, and graphs. The writing is technical, but the ideas involved are clearly and methodically presented. The organizational structure of the book is comprehensive and logical, helping the reader comprehend and absorb fundamental concepts.

The book is designed for those with a serious interest in science. It would be appropriate, for example, for college students who have had an introductory course in geology and know that they wish to continue studying one of the earth sciences. It is also appropriate for professionals like myself, who are not geologists, but who have a strong interest in the earth sciences and wish to learn more about glaciers and glaciation.

The book may be accessible for people without a science background if they are willing to absorb the high rate of new vocabulary and concepts that the text presents. The first chapter on glacier systems and those in the second half of the book dealing with glacial landforms may be particularly satisfying in this regard. Even the more difficult chapters, like those on glacier motion, may be absorbing if people can visualize how the glacier slides, changes shape, and pours like a thick syrup over obstructions.

I found the book to be fascinating. It took me 71 hours over a period of several months to read the entire 640 pages of text and study the many diagrams and other illustrations the book has to offer. By applying what I have learned from Benn and Evans, I have been able to interpret certain sand and gravel deposits in my area as probable subaqueous outwash fans deposited by the retreat of the last ice sheet here in Maine. This interpretation needs to be verified by others more qualified than myself, but I could not have hoped to come up with an hypothesis of this nature without the knowledge gained in reading this text.

The book has abundant references, as it is in many ways a review of the current literature and thinking on the subject. It does not deal with the current debate about climate change, nor does it deal primarily with glacial history. Instead, it excels in its main purpose as a clear and quite technical discussion of the current principles and theory of glacier science as understood by glaciologists today.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Feel the passion with the glaciatiation "bible", December 12, 2001

By 

Angela McGuckin (Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Glaciers and Glaciation (Hodder Arnold Publication) (Paperback)

An excellent book, no student of glacial geomorphology can function without it.

Three Cheers to Benn & Evans...we've all been waiting for an all encompassing guide like this.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book about glaciers, October 5, 2007

By 

Donald Sluter "64 year old grad student" (Western Massachusetts) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Glaciers and Glaciation (Hodder Arnold Publication) (Paperback)

Bought this for a glacial geology class. It's written well enough that I don't always stop at the end of the assigned readings.