Customer Reviews

Reading the Earth: Landforms in the Making

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The idea behind this book is commendable. Apparently the concept was to give brief, non-technical discussions of the geological processes which cause landforms and to illustrate the results of these processes with hundreds of beautiful color photographs and a few simple diagrams. Unfortunately, the only part of the concept which was well executed was the photographs. The accompanying text is poorly written and riddled with errors. The errors range from the numerical to the conceptual to the geographical. This was particularly disappointing since an apparently qualified geologist, Donald R. Coates, is listed as the book's technical advisor. The number and types of errors in the book cause me to wonder if Coates, or any other geologist, even read the text. Due to the high level of errors, this book is totally inappropriate for its target audience, non-geologists with an interest in landforms and the geological processes behind them. Geologists who want to thumb through the photographs may find the book interesting, but hardly worth the substantial price.

I'll give few examples of the errors that I noted during what began as a thorough read but which soon became a page flipping scan, since I did not want to devote the time to reading such a poorly executed text. Many of the errors are numerical in nature, some perhaps caused by incorrect conversions from metric to English measurements. On page 41, the author correctly gives the grain size distribution of sedimentary particles, using the metric system. Sand size particles are correctly given as ranging from 1/16 to 2 mm. However, on page 271, sand size particle are said to range from 0.01 to 0.25 inches. Doing the English to metric conversions, one finds that this is in error by a factor of more than three!

Another major numerical error is in the book's statements of the thickness of the earth's crust. On pages 10 and 11, the thickness of continental crust is given as either 125 miles, as much as 120 miles, or one thirtieth of the earth's radius, or about 135 miles. Oceanic crustal thickness is given as 65 miles. The best current estimates for crustal thicknesses range from a maximum of 70 km (about 45 miles) for continental crust to about eight km (about 5 miles) for oceanic crust. That means that the book's figures are in error by a factor of three for continental crust and a whopping factor of 13 for oceanic crust. More confusion is evident on page 211, where the crustal thickness of the Colorado Plateau is given as the more or less correct value of 25 miles, but the author states that this is "very thick". How could 25 miles be "very thick" when he gives the typical crustal thickness as 125 miles? Actually, the thickness of the Colorado Plateau is average for the Continental US.

Another type of error is in the incorrect use of simple geological terminology. For example, on page 39 there is a photo of a sample of vesicular basalt which the caption describes and amygdaloidal. (Amygdules are mineral-filled vesicles). In the area of simple geography, which looking at a basic atlas would correct, we are told on page 220 that the river partly encircling the Spanish city of Toledo is the Ebro. At least the Ebro is in Spain, but it is located hundreds of kilometers north of Toledo, and flows into the Mediterranean. The river at Toledo is called the Tajo (Tagus in English) and flows into the Atlantic.

I could go on but the above gives an idea of the factual and conceptual errors contained in this book. The number and type of errors tell me that they are caused by more than just sloppy editing. They must stem from a profound lack of knowledge of the subject matter on the part of the author. They render what could have been an excellent pictorial explanation of landforms into a book that is worse than useless, since it delivers so much false information to its intended, and unsuspecting, lay audience.

Reading the Earth: Landforms in the Making written by Jerome Wyckoff is a richly appointed book with pictures explaining why there are so many different features on the Earth that we tread upon. This book is illustrated with 556 photographs and 75 drawings and has and extensive index of over 6,000 page entries that makes information easy to find.

If you are interested in rock formations and tectonic plate activity, volcanoes and mountains, seacoasts and limestone caverns you'll fall in love with the easy prose and well-explained information in this book. There is information on glaciers and deserts, soluble rocks and sculpures by running water. Not to mention, there is extensive information about our changing planet from ancestral earth, inside the earth, crustal plates in motion to regimes of climate, weathering, and gravity movements.

This is an excellent book for high school aged children and older who have an interest about the ground we all walk upon. The prose are engaging and fascinatingly captivating and the author explains the workings of all of the Earth's systems.

I found that I read and reread this book several times and it is a welcome addition to your natural history self in your home library. This book is well worth the money spent as you'll find yourself referencing it many times. For instance there are references for lateral and terminal moraines, drumlins and fluting, and eskers these are explained well with illustrations so you can see what these parts of a glacier activity look like.

This is an excellent book for understanding why the earth is shaped as it is where it is.

Jerome Wyckoff is the author of several very successful books on geology, including `The Story of Geology' and `Rock, Time and Landforms.' `Reading the Earth' adds another excellent volume to the collection of books available to people who may have little or no formal training in geology, but who are curious about the landscapes that surround them. Its introduction describes `Reading the Earth' as a nonspecialist's guide to landforms and one that focuses on specific kinds of landforms rather than on the complex systems that control landform evolution. From there, the reader gets an introduction to geology (timeframe, rock cycle, plate tectonics); petrology (rock types); and weathering -- along with descriptions of the landscapes created by or associated with gravity movements, hillslopes, rivers, igneous activity, structures, mountains, plateaus, plains, glaciers, deserts, karst and coasts. The book's organization is slightly different than the organization geologists usually see in various geomorphology texts, but the structure is, nonetheless, appropriate and effective. Each chapter is a logical progression of ideas and information. The content of the chapter builds on that of the other chapters, or each chapter can stand alone as a source of information on a particular type of landscape. `Reading the Earth' is accessible to the geologist and non-geologist alike, combining rich illustrations with graceful writing. Technical explanations are balanced with poetic, evocative prose and appropriate metaphors and examples that should hold the reader's interest. Wyckoff explains technical terms well enough that they should not provide barriers to a reader who is not a geologist. Populating the book are 556 photographs and 75 line drawings, all both beautiful and effective, illustrating landforms and landform processes from around the world. Above all, the author's obvious appreciation for landscape will enhance the reader's appreciation. It is accessible to readers interested in geology and landscapes, or to students in an introductory geomorphology or landforms course. `Reading the Earth' is also useful as a reference; it has a good index with no errors or inaccuracies. The book's format is attractive, and it is a bargain. I have already recommended `Reading the Earth' to friends who are not geologists but are interested in geology, and I recommend it to any `Geotimes' reader who is fond of good photography and good prose.

Ellen Wohl

Geotimes Magazine review - July 2000 Wohl teaches in the Department of Earth Resources at Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, Colo.

No question about it, this is one of the most enjoyable and photogenic books to ever be written about scenery and its geographic occurrence. Scenery enchants us, even simple calendar photos, but most people never push their mind beyond the esthetics. Mr. Wyckoff gives us more to appreciate than first glance visualizations and he does so in a way that is not as intimidating as trying to struggle through a pedantic geology text.

Mr. Wyckoff chose to devote a chapter to each category of scenery rather than follow the usual geographical approach. His choice is effective because it cuts down on multiple explanations and it links the processes that shape scenery into a coherent whole. If you desire geographics, it is easy to convert. For example, a vacationer headed to the National Parks of the Colorado Plateau or to the lava country of the Columbia River Plateau will find what they are looking for in the Chapter on Plateau scenery.

I found myself chuckling when I noticed a few pages where the number of place names almost exceeded the number of regular words. I advise readers to keep some detailed maps and a world atlas handy. Working back and forth between text, maps, and pictures made my reading of the book more enjoyable, almost like going on an actual vacation.

Although the collection of pictures is exceptional, I would not categorize this book as a typical coffee-table pictorial, there is too much substance in it for that. The substance is delivered in a highly readable manner, not only for the benefit of people who travel extensively, but also for armchair nomads or nature enthusiasts-anybody whose innate curiosity can be piqued. This book will dramatically enlarge your horizons, especially if you have never strayed far from home; so get it and enjoy it. I congratulate Mr. Wyckoff for filling a long-standing void with his admirable blending of art and science-I give his book 5 stars.

This is a fascinating and magnificently illustrated introduction to the landforms of our planet. It is a book for ordinary observers, an informal guide in the field, an armchair companion and a window on `art' in nature. It could also well serve as a textbook for beginning geology and earth science classes. It is far more appealing than the books I remember wading through in my high school days.

Jerome Wyckoff comes to this work with impressive credentials. He is the author of `The Story of Geology,' first in its field and a best-seller, as was his `The Sky Observer's Guide.' He helped in the development of the well-known Golden Nature Guides and was managing editor of the award-winning `Harper Encyclopedia of Science.'

The book begins by sketching the basic processes and conditions involved in shaping the Earth's crust -- plate movements, climate change, tectonic and igneous activity and erosion. Next, the author looks at the nature of the rocks that make up the crust and their typical forms. Finally, there is further detail about the processes that shape the crust and form landscapes. "Mountains and plains, river valleys and seacoasts, limestone caverns and desert dunes and volcanoes -- such features," Wyckoff writes, "are recognized, often rhapsodized about, but how they are created, undergo natural change, and eventually are obliterated or recycled is understood by few."

The book is easy to read and avoids lengthy or dry textbook-like descriptions or analyses. Yet there is an education to be had here simply by looking at the pictures and reading captions. I found it a treat to delve into these pages at random, nearly always finding something new and engaging.

Chris Angus in Adirondac Magazine, May 2000

"It is truly a beautiful piece of work. The collection of photographs alone is probably the best in any book on geology."-- James C. Kelley, Dean, College of Science and Engineering, San Francisco State University"I looked at every page... Fine color illustrations... Despcriptions are clear and inviting... The price is far under what one might expect...."-- Arthur N. Strahler, noted teacher and author of standard texts on physical geography and geomorphology"Good stuff!... recommended for professional photographers and photo researchers who need to know the names and nature of Earth features."-- Rohn Engh, PhotoStock International"Awakens in me a new area of learning in this awesome world of ours!"-- Diane DeVito, President, Skyline Travel, Inc."This book is one big field trip to fascinating landscapes all over the world. As a college professor, I model my field trips after Jerry's relaxed and informative style. A must for anyone who loves Śreading the Earth.'"-- Carol Rabenhorst, Professor of Geography, Westminster College (Maryland)"Explains how the various Earth sceneries came to be. A marvelous reference work for anyone concerned with natural resource protection."-- Marie Curtis, Executive Director, New Jersey Environmental Lobby"The pictures are great, along with the captions. I am enjoying this book."-- Melissa S., 6th grade, Ridgewood, NJ"So readable... so colorful... makes one want to visit so many areas where landforms are extraordinary."-- Giovanna Hoffman, leader of African safaris for Alumni Flights Abroad"Wow!" --Evan Dobelle, President, Trinity College (Connecticut)

Clearly written, richly illustrated.... Diverse examples of landforms derived from a global set.... Technically sound, easy reading.... for home and office, or as a field companion....The complete index (including over 6,000 page entries) provides for easy reference and investigation.... Readily accessible as an upper-level high-school or introductory undergraduate text.... An effective literary excursion and a genuine visual treat, all at an extremely reasonable price. - Kevin M. Schmidt in Journal of Geoscience Education

As a university professor of geology, I received a promo post card raving about the photographs in this book ("Probably the best in any book on geology" etc.) The reviewers can not have seen a production copy - these photographs are muddy and fuzzy - very disappointing! I feel I have been had!

The text is OK, although the author uses terms like "geosyncline" that most of use discarded years ago because of the changed interpretations that came with the plate tectonics revolution of the 1960s.

If you really want coffee-table quality geological photographs, there are a number of text books in physical geology out there that fit the bill (I like Tarbuck and Lutgens, for example) although the prices are double that of this book. I am reminded of the old expression "If it seems too good to be true at the price then it probably is."

I quite like this book. It is very well illustrated with abundant photographs and useful diagrams. The text is well-written: clear, concise and informative. It is much shorter and much more accessible than your average geology or physical geography textbook, but covers almost as much material. Would serve armchair geologists, amateur naturalists, and students very well. Contrary to the opinions of another reviewer, this text has no more inaccuracies than your standard textbook.

My wife and I like the national parks. We found the book very informative and handy to look up when we were in the park.