Customer Reviews

Rocks from Space: Meteorites and Meteorite Hunters (Astronomy)

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Those readers who bought the original First Edition might wish to know whether they should invest in the Second Edition. The answer is Yes. The Second Edition is sufficiently updated to warrant purchase, and includes discussion on new topics that have become important since the 1993/1994 writing of the First Edition. Additions include expanded discussion of the Shoemaker-Levy impact on Jupiter, discussion on the disputed finding of bacteria fossils in Mars meteorites, and discussion on the Mars Pathfinder mission. Here and there, clarifications and expansions on the First Edition's text bring the reader up to date.

I have the first and now this second edition of this book. It is my first choice when I want a more indepth description of specimens. If you buy only one book on meteorites, it must be this one. Lots of photos too!!!

I purchased the book "Rocks From Space (Second Edition)" about seven years ago. My main interest in space is in the field of planetary geology and I have a need to be reasonably conversant with the subscience of meteoritics. The "Rocks From Space" book was recommended by several colleagues, and I also noted that it had received good reviews.

In general, I find "popular" books directed to the interests of amateurs to be shallow and even corny. "Rocks From Space" is an exception. This book is outstanding. It provides a concise but excellent introduction to the subjects of meteorites, asteroids, comets, meteors and impact sites. It is presented in a way that amateur collectors, amateur astronomers or anyone interested in these space-related subjects can easily read and understand, but, at the same time, it is very informative and authoritative. I would not hesitate to recommend the book to anyone who was interested in meteorites and other space debris. In fact, I have recommended it to countless individuals as an excellent place to start.

"Rocks From Space" is well written, well illustrated and interesting to read. It has achieved a permanent and respected place in my reference book collection. I give talks on planetary geology to groups of geologists and astronomers and I use some of the illustrations in my presentations. For people who are interested is collecting meteorites, Norton presents a series of guidelines, anecdotes and useful information including a list of laboratories where one might get an identification confirmed. For a small and inexpensive paperback, this book contains a wealth of information.

Gary Peterson

I thought the book was very good for someone like myself with a beginners interest in meteorites. There is a great deal of information, where meteorites come from, what they are made of, how they have gotten here. It did a geat job of peaking my interest in meteorites, I am planning a field tiip shortly and have ordered other books on the subject. So I would say the book did it's job of creating an interest on the subject of meteorites. I only gave it a four because I expected more from the section on meteorite hunters.

This is absolutely the BEST book on meteorites ever written. This book is great for the beginner as well as the advanced meteorite collector. Lots of information about what a meteorite is, where they come from, and from what materials they are made. If you have even the slightest interest in meteorites, this book is a must. Very well written and the illustrations are spectacular! Once you pick up this book, you'll never want to put it down.

An excellent book for both amateur and professional looking for a refresher on wonderful subject of meteorites, meteors and meteroids. The author covers just about every topic you can think of and with sufficient depth to keep you interested for some time. Highly recommended to anyone interested in the fascinating field.

Here's the book you'll need to take along, as meteorites are much easier to find when you know their characteristics and the places where they stand out from other rocks. I've held onto my own copy of Rocks From Space for some time, although I have not gone out hunting for meteorites yet, because this is the book that entices me to make time for it. There are a lot of good quality photographs printed here on slick magazine paper, and some are in color. The book is what it's supposed to be, but if I was going to improve it for someone planning to pack it for a hike across the Utah salt flats, I would suggest that the next edition be on a lighter weight paper. This guide fills you in on the famous meteors (In the sky) and meteorites (Striking the earth) which fell in earth's recorded history. These are great fun to learn about, as there's nothing like a surprise from outer space to brighten up everyone's day. And while meteorites can even impress us as being pretty weird in the modern era, wait until you read about the one that fell in Alsace, France in 1492. It drew so much curiosity and awe that even King Maximilian of Germany came to see it. Many people took souvenir pieces from it over the centuries, but its last 122 pounds are protected by being in a local museum. Another fall Norton records came in 1992, when a car belonging to a young lady was struck. Excited collectors soon made generous offers for both the car and the meteorite. Not too long ago an old meteorite from Mars was sliced open to reveal what many scientists suspect is evidence of past life on that planet. The possibility was considered strong enough that it prompted President Clinton to go on national television to announce it; so if you use this book, you may even help confirm one of the greatest mysteries of all time.

Excellent book, especially for the beginning/intermediate meteorite collecter. Written in easy-to-understand English, yet technical when it needs to be. Very comprehensive on the subject, and well illustrated with photographs and drawings.

Though I got Norton's Encyclopedia of Meteorites first, I'm glad I still bought this one as it is more beginner friendly, and delights every reader of the meteorite legends and bed time stories.I use to have this principle not to buy the second book of the same author, as the content is almost the same. The encyclopedia is still an excellent reference for the more technically inclined individuals, I should say for geologist its easy for them to see eye to eye, but "Rocks from Space" has always been recommended by almost every meteorite dealer and collectors, and they can't be wrong. Its a must for every collector in their library. Mr. Norton has always been close to many a meteorite collector, and the reader can share his views without boundaries.

My primary interest in the area of meteoritics is impact strucures. This book offers a fair discussion of that field, but is primarily concerned with meteorites and those who hunt, collect, and sell them. In these respects, Norton's presentation is unparalleled. The book is an easy, enjoyable read and may be perused by persons with no background in meteoritics. The biographical sketches of Ninenger and Haag alone give unique worth to the book.
The only real reservation keeping this book from a five star rating is its Apprndix C, listing suspected impact craters. Several of the listed items appear nowhere else in the impact literature I have reviewed and the listed size of many features varies from other calculations. But, then, I should do so good.