Pages of Stone: Geology of the Grand Canyon & Plateau Country National Parks & Monuments [Paperback]

Halka Chronic (Author), Lucy M. Chronic (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2004

A favorite field guide for Southwest parks visitors--explains how the majesty of this unique regional landscape came to be.

*Expanded to include Grand Staircase/Escalante, Vermilion Cliffs, Canyons of the Ancients, Dinosaur, and Hovenweep National Monuments
*Color photo insert
*Many sights accessible by car

From the sheer-walled magnificence of Zion to the breathtaking intricacy of Bryce Canyon's sculptured turrets; from the "Grand Staircase" of the Vermilion Cliffs, and Pink Cliffs in southern Utah to the volcanic lavas of Sunset Crater: two geologists describe the star attractions of 24 national parks and monuments. New sidebars provide closer looks at specific details such as the large numbers of dinosaur footprints in and around Arches National Park and geology's profound effect on ancient Pueblo peoples and how they lived.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A wonderful, non-technical introduction to both the geology and history of 24 national parks and monuments." -- Tulsa World

Fossil forests, dinosaur footprints, and ancient dunes bring out the explorer in everyone. -- Sweat magazine

The text, color and black-and-white photographs, and ample diagrams are far more informative than a week-long field trip. -- Nevada Appeal

[B]lack-and-white photos illustrate every chapter, and the publisher has added a section of color plates to enhance [our] appreciation. -- Southwest BookViews

[G]eologist Halka Chronic and her geologist daughter Lucy Chronic...provide an explanation that enhances the experience. --Olympian

About the Author

Geologist Halka Chronic is the author of Roadside Geology of Colorado and Roadside Geology of Arizona. Geologist Lucy Chronic has served as a park interpreter at Bandelier National Monument in Los Alamos, New Mexico.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Mountaineers Books; 2 edition (April 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0898866804
• ISBN-13: 978-0898866803
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #162,733 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #1 in Books > Travel > United States > States > West Virginia
  • #7 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Earth Sciences > Geology > Specific Locations
  • #45 in Books > Travel > Specialty Travel > Travel with Pets

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Introduction to a Complex Topic, July 6, 2004

By 

Richard M. Affleck (Lake Hopatcong, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pages of Stone: Geology of the Grand Canyon & Plateau Country National Parks & Monuments (Paperback)

Halka Chronic's "Pages of Stone" is a well-written introduction to the geology of the Colorado Plateau. Her book, following a general introduction to the geological formation processes of the plateau landscapes, is organized around the numerous national parks and monuments in this remarkable area. These include the biggies, like the Grand Canyon, Bryce, and Mesa Verde, as well as lesser known locations like Sunset Crater, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, and Wupatki. Each park and monument is treated with a detailed description of its principal geological features, how these features fit into the overall geology of the plateau, and is illustrated with black and white photographs (there are a number of color photos in a center insert). I have only one complaint about Chronic's book, but it was enough to knock off a star from what could be a five-star volume. That's the lack of detailed park maps that would make it easier to locate some the places that she discusses. I have an earlier edition of this book, so if this has been corrected in this latest edition, then simply add a star to my review. All in all, this book, and Chronic's Roadside Geology series, are a good way for the layperson to familiarize themselves with one of the truely great American regions.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Book for "The Rest of the Story.", March 1, 2010

By 

G. L. Simms - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pages of Stone: Geology of the Grand Canyon & Plateau Country National Parks & Monuments (Paperback)

I visited Utah and Colorado last summer while on vacation and became enamored with the beauty of those states.

One statement made by the park ranger at the Grand Canyon was that as we looked down into the canyon we were looking back at 4.567 billion years of earth's history.

In my search for more information on this subject several people suggested this book for a lay person's overview of the area's geology.

I found the information to be very interesting and also enjoyed some of the cable television shows like the various episodes of "How the Earth Was Made."

I've also purchased several of other books by this author in the "Roadside Geology of Utah" or of Yellowstone, or of Colorado. These books more fully explore the history and present geology of these regions.

This book isn't for you if you want to hear beautiful flute music played to birds flying over the land, but it does give you a lay person's appreciation of what's happened to the earth to bring it to its current physical shape.

0 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Pages of Stone, May 25, 2009

By 

Rockhound "Paul" (Mesquite, NV) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pages of Stone: Geology of the Grand Canyon & Plateau Country National Parks & Monuments (Paperback)

'Pages of Stone' was in excellent condition upon receiving it. Looked new! Definitely order from the same place again.