Understanding Earth (Paperback)

~ John Grotzinger (Author), (Author), (Author), (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

More than any other introductory physical geology textbook, Understanding Earth is designed to bring the worldview of the working geologist to an audience not only new to this specific field, but in many cases to science in general. Students aren't merely presented with concepts and processes--they come to learn how we know what we know, and how that knowledge impacts their lives as citizens and consumers.

Product Details

• Paperback: 672 pages
• Publisher: W. H. Freeman; 5th edition (February 24, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0716766825
• ISBN-13: 978-0716766827
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #69,181 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic advertisement for the science of geology, October 5, 2007

By	George Leigh (Brisbane, Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is an amazing and wonderful book that will surely attract many new students who would otherwise not choose to study geology. It is full of colour pictures and photographs, written in an extremely entertaining style, and is also full of high-quality science put in perspectives that I have not seen in any other text. The authors truly have everything at their fingertips. The book comprehensively covers the full breadth of what the reader might infer from the title "Understanding Earth", including (in addition to geology) weather and climate, the evolution of life (concentrating mainly on microbes), biogeology, human impact on the earth, and study of the other terrestrial planets (Mercury, Venus and Mars). The information presented is up to date and, astonishingly given its publication date, includes detailed coverage of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the 2005 impact of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans, and results of the latest space probes to other planets.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Understanding Earth, November 12, 2009

By	Seow It Sze - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

I have some background in biological science and I have always wanted to find a way to get up to speed on geology because so much of evolutionary biology has reference to geology. I have gone through one textbook and numbers of Internet readings on geology. I can say that I learnt a great deal from these. Yet when I started to read this book 'Understanding Earth' a whole new understanding opens up before me. I like this book for its simple and comprehensive explanations and its coloured cross sectional representations which seem to transport me to be right there on the spot! I am halfway through the book and I have a great feeling that when I finish I will have then acquired a whole new discipline, not perhaps to the level of a graduate student but sufficient for me to base my biology on it.

5.0 out of 5 stars amazing, absolutely outstanding!, October 19, 2009

By	Julia G. Fields - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is by far the best geology textbook I've ever read. I mean honestly, you can't get much better than something that accurately informs me all about the rock cycle, plate tectonics, and the Earth's molten core. I am very pleased with the book and hope to do further business with the seller.