17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
It's not like the other Roadside Geology books, September 11, 2008
This review is from: Roadside Geology of Florida (Roadside Geology Series) (Paperback)
As a person who seems to buy all of the "Roadside Geology" books, I was happy to see that one was done for our wonderful state of Florida. The format was quite different from previous ones for other states. However, as a Florida Professional Geologist, I was rather pleased. I learned a lot. It had been a long time since most of my sedimentary geology and paleontology courses ... so, it was a refresher. I'm a hydrogeologist;the karst discussions were really good.
The book does not lead you right to the sites to look/collect ... because Florida geology is not really along the highways ... it's along the rivers and underfoot. However, for the person not acquainted with Florida's geology ... just sit back each evening and read a bit ... it will provide you with the basics. For a better understanding, go out and look at things.
The 4-star rating, instead of a fiver ... was because it will be a bit harder to read for the lay person than the traditional "Roadside Geology" texts for the western states. What you can't really see with ease ... you have to develop a 3-D understanding of what is there. However, for the person acquainted a bit with Florida geology and sedimentary processes ... it will be very rewarding. The shifting back and forth from "travel" text to special discussions of a site or process or fossils does make reading a bit jumpy ... you have to go to the end of the travel text ... and then jump back to the special discussion.
The fossil discussions are excellent. Also, the color pages are great.
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14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
A unique way to see Florida, August 11, 2008
This review is from: Roadside Geology of Florida (Roadside Geology Series) (Paperback)
I purchased this book after enjoying the Wyoming and Yellowstone volumes last summer for our summer trip around Florida to make the family trip more interesting for everyone.
This book is very different and presents color pictures and illustrations, different from the other volumes black and white.
Unlike the Wyoming and Yellowstone volumes, which I found extremely useful especially while driving to identify the geology, the Florida volume requires stopping to investigate.
While the necessity to stop and investigate may be the nature of the beast, that is Florida's geological wonders are off the beaten path, some of them are clearly visible from the road and not really covered. Being familiar with South Florida I found the information on certain geologic formations and areas marginal as more detail should have been provided.
For example, the authors cover the Cutler Hammock but does not tell you where it is--so why talk about it if you can't find it.
Yet the location of the unique limestone formation on Bayshore Drive in Coconut Grove is described. The same with the Anastasia Formation in Palm Beach, which I could not find after driving around and burning gas. Why describe it if you can't give specific directions as to locating the formation, as the purpose of the book is to lead the traveler to these unique places.
Another discrepancy is the photo (page 320) showing Bush and Garden Keys in the Dry Tortugas where Ft. Jefferson is located. The photos shows the keys connected. However, I have been there at different times of the year and seen no connection between these keys. The authors fail to talk about this, because you can't walk to Bush Key from Garden all year long and swimming when there is no connection would not be recommended since the current is strong---if one were desirous of investigating the landscape while visiting Ft. Jefferson.
Overall the illustations and photos are a very nice addition and complete the text, as without them the book would be boring to the traveler seeking to search out these natural features--so maybe the publish should take note when revising any of the other volumes in this series.
On a final note, this book could be a useful teaching aid in Florida schools when teaching about Florida's natural landscape, as I found the current materials used by my kids public elementary and middle schools lacking.
In conclusion, the concept is good and I would like to see the authors improve upon this book in a future revision.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very informative guide to Florida geology, April 30, 2010
This review is from: Roadside Geology of Florida (Roadside Geology Series) (Paperback)
I'm a geology major at Florida Atlantic University and have a strong interest in the geology of Florida. This book is well-written and gives the reader a lot of interesting material about different areas of the state. Using this book you can travel around the state and learn how to identify rocks, minerals and fossils. Highly recommended for any geology students or geology enthusiasts.
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