Customer Reviews

Roadside Geology of Arizona

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Yesterday I threw my "Roadside Geology of Arizona" away -- for the third time. Like the two copies before them, my latest had lasted about five years in my truck's door pocket, and it had gotten to the point that there was simply more duct tape holding the book together than there was paper, and at least four pages had disappeared.

That's the way it is with any book by Halka Chronic. The folks who buy them, use them -- and usually use them up. I have had three "Arizona", two each "Colorado" and "New Mexico" and am on my third "Utah" Roadside series. I would no more drive somewhere without these books than I would without five gallons of water in the Southwest desert summers.

The first chapter or two of all these books is a Geology 101 of the State -- including terms, an historical timeline, and discussion of the latest geological theories that have any bearing at all on the landforms you will see from your car or truck as you drive across the state.

Then coomes the good part -- a series of chapters with exciting names like "Route 60; Globe to Mesa". As you drive, your companion reads the book, keyed to mile-markers, freeway exit ramps, small towns, etc. Every rill, dike, escarpment -- even the various colored rocks you see as you ride through the roadcuts on the freeway -- are explained. Follow the highways in the book, and you're and expert on Arizona geology.

But it's never that simple, of course. Soon you're taking your friends and relatives from out of town through those same trips, showing them the beauties of your state that Halka Chronic helps make come alive. Out comes the book again and again, and finally it begins to fall apart from sheer, joyous use.

That's why I threw away my third "Roadside Geology of Arizona" yesterday. But don't worry, I already bought my fourth copy -- and I'm sure I'll buy my fifth in another five years or so.

I went on a trip out West and found this book very useful. The organization of the material is outstanding, so that it's perfect for people who know a little or a lot about geology. The first section of the book covered basic introductory geology information. The book then covered the three provinces that make up Arizona. Each section covered the geology to be seen on specific highways, such as Interstate 40 as it goes from Flagstaff to Winslow in the Colorado Plateau Province. There are also geological bedrock maps included with the aforementioned highway section. Geological descriptions of the national parks in this state provided a better understanding of what the traveller is observing.

I am also the proud owner of the Roadside Geology books for Hawaii, Maine, New Mexico, and Utah. Non of these have let me down, and as my collection grows so will the number of stars for outstanding ratings. A big thanks goes out to the authors of these fabulous books! Your dedicated work is much appreciated!

I have to admit that I am not normally interested in geology. But as I've traveled around the state by car or bike the uniqueness of Arizona's geology has always fascinated me. I purchased this book on a whim and found it to be one of my favorite books. Now, whenever I'm going to be traveling in a new part of the state I read about the geology of the area that I'm traveling through. Because this is written in a "roadside" format, the book explains what you'll see as you drive (or bicycle) through the various regions in the state.

While the rocks may not have changed much since this book was researched, written and published, our way of looking at them certainly has. Plate tectonics is not even listed in the index and this overarching paradigm of modern geology rates less than 4 pages in the introductory text. Therefore, the explanations of the origins of many of the features rely on outdated hypothoses or ignore the now well documented origins altogether. There are several newer books that will give the interested lay person a much better introduction to the geology of Arizona until this one is completely revised to incorporate modern thought throughout the text.

When I wanted to find out something about the geology of central Arizona (not the Grand Canyon, not Sedona, etc), I followed my usual system of internet search, Amazon search, library search and pretty much drew a blank except for this book.

I'm glad to report this book delivers the goods. It is organized into brief, convenient sections describing geology around the routes you would take driving through AZ.

Unfortunately, the writing style is pure textbook tedium making the gathering of information from its pages a chore. Worthwhile (as far as I know) for facts, but almost painful to read. It could use a 21st century update.

I normally do not review products. All the "Roadside Geology" series has been so helpful and fun, I had to respond. I own Nine,so far. I get one before every vacation to know the geology of the country I'm traveling through.
The books are laid out intuitively with a complete over view and as much detail as you want to explore.
Highly recommend!

Good book with lots of information. However, most of the pictures and a lot of descriptions were badly outdated. Overall it is a good guide but left a lot to be desired.

We have two homes about six hours apart in two different states. These books about the geology of the areas we are traveling through make the time fly! Get one for where ever you drive. I read...my husband drives.

This is a good basic geology for people wanting to know about the rocks/road cuts they pass on the highways in various states, i.e., this one in Arizona. It was not as detailed as I would like but I have more than a layman's knowledge of geology so it is good for the beginner. Nice to have in my collection.

In ROADSIDE GEOLOGY OF ARIZONA, Halka Chronic relates the story of Arizona's geology, which varies considerably from North to South. In the Basin & Range area, where I live, collisions between vast tectonic plates built mountains that rivaled the Sierras before they were worn down by millions of years of wind,water, and unrelenting sun. In the Phoenix area, I have hiked through the roots of those ancient mountains, metamorphic rocks that have been crushed, pushed and pulled into new forms and wild shapes. All my life I've wondered about them: what they are, how old they are, why they're here. Halka Chronic answers those questions.

I used to just gaze out the window and wonder about roadside geology when I was on a trip. Now I consult the Roadside Geology series. I can't help it! I'm a Geology nerd. Make that HAPPY geology nerd. This book is highly recommended.