Introduction to Geodesy: The History and Concepts of Modern Geodesy (Wiley Series in Surveying and Boundary Control) [Paperback]

James R. Smith (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 047116660X | ISBN-13: 978-0471166603 | Publication Date: May 6, 1997 | Edition: 1

Geodesy is the science that deals with the Earth's figure and the interrelationship of selected points on its surface. This is the only book on the market designed to provide readers with an introduction to geodesy without the usual emphasis on complex mathematics. Describes such positioning techniques as horizontal and vertical geodetic datums. Satellite geodesy, electromagnetic distance measurement, laser ranging and emerging technologies including the global positioning techniques and GIS are among the topics discussed. Features scores of two-color diagrams and examples to facilitate understanding.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Geodesy is the science that deals with the Earth's figure and the interrelationship of selected points on its surface. This is the only book on the market designed to provide readers with an introduction to geodesy without the usual emphasis on complex mathematics. Describes such positioning techniques as horizontal and vertical geodetic datums. Satellite geodesy, electromagnetic distance measurement, laser ranging and emerging technologies including the global positioning techniques and GIS are among the topics discussed. Features scores of two-color diagrams and examples to facilitate understanding.

From the Back Cover

Geodesy made easy--an accessible introduction to a rapidly changing field

Geodesy is the science that deals with the earth's figure and the interrelationship of selected points on its surface. This user-friendly introduction presents what might be called "geodesy without mathematics." A revised edition of the author's Basic Geodesy, Introduction to Geodesy avoids complex formulas and equations and provides a broad overview for students and professionals who require a basic understanding of the subject.

Topics include:
* Traditional survey positioning techniques
* Geodetic systems, including horizontal and vertical geodetic datums
* Physical geodesy
* The world geodetic system
* Satellite geodesy
* The Global Positioning System
* Gravity measures
* Electromagnetic distance measurement
* Projections
* Examples of modern projects.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-Interscience; 1 edition (May 6, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 047116660X
• ISBN-13: 978-0471166603
• Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 0.5 x 9.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #733,503 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Only partly successful in illuminating a tough subject., September 7, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Introduction to Geodesy: The History and Concepts of Modern Geodesy (Wiley Series in Surveying and Boundary Control) (Paperback)

Reading this book I got the feeling that Mr. Smith couldn't quite decide if his audience was the layman or the surveying professional. For example, very little mathematics is used (even though there are topics in the book which would have been better served by a more mathematical treatment), while on the other hand many terms are used as though the reader should be familiar with them already.

I found the lack of a glossary frustrating, as was Mr. Smith's habit of using concepts chapters ahead of their defintion. The difficult subject matter was further obscured by numerous errors in the figures and text (such as refering to velocity as the second integral of acceleration.)

In the end, the book did give me a good qualitative feel for the issues germane to geodesy, but I had to work very hard to extract that information and found myself immediately looking for a more perspicuous text.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good background for people interested in GIS and cartography, November 30, 2001

By 

William A. Huber (Rosemont, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Introduction to Geodesy: The History and Concepts of Modern Geodesy (Wiley Series in Surveying and Boundary Control) (Paperback)

I bought this book to fill in knowledge gaps, not to learn geodesy as an expert. It answered lots of questions I had had about measurements, how surveys are performed, geodetic systems (datums and so on), the WGS, and the use of gravity. The details are all there, within about 100 pages in the middle of the book. Not bad at all.

This subject by its nature requires a mathematical treatment, so although the book does not go deeply into the math, it's sometimes heavy reading. Many of the illustrations deserve careful study, too. It's not light bedtime reading. I carried this book around for several days during and after a large GIS conference and periodically dipped into it. It works well in small doses.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An overall coverage of the history of modern geodesy, June 12, 1998

By 

Norman R. Brown (St. Louis, MO USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Introduction to Geodesy: The History and Concepts of Modern Geodesy (Wiley Series in Surveying and Boundary Control) (Paperback)

I found Mr. Smith's book to be very informative and well written. He covers many aspects of geodesy from early history to modern application. He is apparently very knowledgable and has a broad spectrum of experiences which he writes about. There are some instances when Mr. Smith tells a large amount of information, maybe more than the average reader would require. There are other times that I wished he would tell me more. He has a writing style that tends to skip around alot. Just hang in there and you will get the information in another chapter. There is always the bibliography for reference, if, Mr. Smith didn't cover it, which is rare indeed. He covers such obscure subjects such as: coriolis effect, isostasy and dynamic heights. Throughout the book all of the illustrations are simple yet understandable in almost all cases.