Encyclopedia of Caves (Hardcover)

~ David C. Culver (Editor), William B. White (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Culver and White have aimed at a broad span of topics, inlcuding some like caves in myths, show caves, Mayan caves and saltpetre mining, which might not be the ones that instantly come to mind...If there is any bias it might be towards cave biology, which is no bad thing as this is an area where infomration is not easily available."
-John Goodier, in REFERENCE REVIEWS, VOL. 19, 2005

"...an excellent addition to the very limited currently available literature on caves and karst."
-Andy Baker, Department of Geography, University of Birmingham, in JOURNAL OF QUATERNARY SCIENCE, 2005

"Although scientifically rigorous, the articles are readily approachable by the nonprofessional and at times include the reader in the 'hows' of cave exploration. Truly international in both geography and contributors, this encyclopedia is one for browsing-the perfect assemblage of 15- to 20-minute intellectual diversions."
- AMERICAN SCIENTIST

"This book is an exciting and significant contribution to the field of caves and karst. It represents an exceptionally handy reference for experts in specific aspects of caves and karst but it is also an excellent reference for those individuals who are less expert because technical jargon has been minimized. The sound scholarship...is a credit to the field and will make this a much sought after book for many years."
- Malcolm S. Field, Editor, Journal of Cave and Karst Studies

"Caves, caves and more caves! This book is for anyone and everyone with an interest in caves. This encyclopedia brings the mystique and science of caves to life and covers all types of caves, including those you might not have known existed."
- Journal of Sedimentary Reseach

"Culver and White have brought together a truly international team of world-class experts--almost as international as caves themselves--to contribute to the Encyclopedia of Caves. But this work is more than an encyclopedia, and it covers more than just caves. It offers in-depth accounts of all important topics concerning caves and life in caves. Students of biology, geography and geology will value it for its textbook-style clarity... For cavers and professionals it will serve as the most comprehensive state of the art reference in the multidisciplinary field of subterranean sciences."
- Peter Trontelj, Univ. of Ljubljana, Slovenia

"This monumental and attractively presented reference book belongs on the bookshelf of every person with an interest in caves, endangered species, or the biological diversity of our planet. The hundred or so chapter authors are a Who's Who of the world's cave experts...This book will be an invaluable reference for students, teachers, scientists, and anyone interested in learning more about the remarkable diversity of life and geology that lies hidden beneath our feet."
- Larry Master, Chief Zoologist, NatureServe

"The construction of the items from 'Adaptation to Darkness' to 'Worms' gives a deep, accurate insight on the cave's world. Several points of view are considered, from exploration techniques to history and archaeology, from geology to hydrogeology, from biology to taxonomy and evolution...Encyclopedia of Caves will be one of the landmarks for the sciences of cave studies from now and for many years onward..."
-Giuseppe Messana, CNR - Institute of Ecosystem Study , Firenze, Italy

"The Encyclopedia of Caves, edited by Culver and White, with over 100 articles by world-wide experts on caves, is quite unique with contributions from multi-disciplines and a great variety of subject matter: academic, as well as practical...This volume is a must for researchers, cave enthusiasts, teachers, and developers."
- Philip LaMoreaux, Editor-in-Chief, Environmental Geology and Water Science, from the Foreword

".one of the most readable and engaging volumes of this kind.the editors are to be commended for bringing together such a wealth of useful and interesting material in a single reference volume and for its appealing presentation."
- Russell S. Harmon, North Carolina State University

Book Description

A one-stop source of current information on all aspects of caves from the world's leading experts; illustrated in full color throughout

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 680 pages
• Publisher: Academic Press; 1 edition (November 4, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0121986519
• ISBN-13: 978-0121986513
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.8 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #746,675 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitive Reference on Caves, December 25, 2004

By	Dolina (Warm Springs, VA) - See all my reviews

This is a fascinating compilation of serious research articles covering the geology and biology of caves. It is well written and accessible to the non-specialist, and is an invaluable reference for all scientists with an interest in caves. This volume has fewer entries than the excellent Encyclopedia of Caves and Karst edited by Gunn, however, the subjects in this work are discussed in considerable depth. Buy both and you will have the most complete and up-to-date references available on caves and karst.