The Practical Geologist: The Introductory Guide to the Basics of Geology and to Collecting and Identifying Rocks
by Dougal Dixon
List Price:
Our Price: $7.95
You Save: $8.05 (50%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $2.98 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions
Book Summary Information
Author: Dougal DixonEdition: Paperback
Published: 1992-08-15
ISBN: 0671746979
Number of pages: 160
Publisher: Fireside
Book Reviews of The Practical Geologist: The Introductory Guide to the Basics of Geology and to Collecting and Identifying Rocks
Book Review: A rocky read
Summary: 4 Stars
Among my many interests, geology has always been lurking in the background, one that I never really pursued but nonetheless seemed worth knowing about. For this reason, I finally got around to getting a book on the topic, and picked out The Practical Geologist by Dougal Dixon. Although it isn't a bad book, it was also not the wisest choice for me.
As the title indicates, this is a book for the practical geologist, one that goes out to sites to assess the landscape: the types of rocks, the shape of the hills, et cetera. There are plenty of illustrations and photographs to assist the reader, along with information about how to write up notes and set up displays.
All this is wonderful in its own way, but for the true geological layman like myself, it is a bit more than what I wanted. That is to say, as an introduction to geology, this book is not wholly successful: while never getting overly technical, it also doesn't offer enough in the way of explanation. Instead, it just presents the facts and moves onto the next topic. It reads a bit more like a reference book than a regular science book.
The back of the book describes The Practical Geologist as the "perfect introduction to the world of earth science". This is not really the case. Nonetheless, I am giving this book four stars: I think that what this book does, it does well. If you're looking for a first book on geology, however, I would search elsewhere.
Summary of The Practical Geologist: The Introductory Guide to the Basics of Geology and to Collecting and Identifying Rocks
From exploring the basic principles of geology to starting a rock and mineral collection, The Practical Geologist is the perfect introduction to the world of earth science.Beginning with a history of the earth's formation and development, this book explores the substances that compose the planet, movements within the earth, the surface effects of weather and water, and underground landscapes.
It shows you how to search for, identify, and extract samples of various rocks and minerals, and for each rock and mineral type there is a brief mineralogy and explanation of its locations. There are also sections on mapping, preparing, and curating specimens, and geological sites on the six continents.
Packed with more than 200 full-color illustrations, this comprehensive guide is the essential practical companion for natural science enthusiasts everywhere.
General Books
Book Subjects
- Arts & Photography
- Audiobooks on Cassette
- Audiobooks on CD
- Biographies & Memoirs
- Business & Investing
- Children's Books
- Comics & Graphic Novels
- Computers & Internet
- Cooking, Food & Wine
- e-Books
- Engineering
- Entertainment
- Gay & Lesbian
- Health, Mind & Body
- History
- Home & Garden
- Horror
- Law
- Literature & Fiction
- Medicine
- Mystery & Thrillers
- Nonfiction
- Outdoors & Nature
- Parenting & Families
- Professional & Technical
- Reference
- Religion & Spirituality
- Romance
- Science
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Sports
- Teens
- Travel
Most talked about in Great Geology Books
The Practical Geologist: The Introductory Guide to the Basics of Geology and to Collecting and Identifying Rocksby Dougal Dixon
Fireside; Published: 1992-08-15; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.45
Price in other shops:
Reading the Rocks: The Autobiography of the Earthby Marcia Bjornerud
Basic Books; Published: 2005-04-26; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $2.67
Price in other shops:
Beyond Oil: The View from Hubbert's Peakby Kenneth S. Deffeyes
Hill and Wang; Published: 2005-03-15; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $118.16
The Map That Changed the World: William Smith and the Birth of Modern Geologyby Simon Winchester
Harper Perennial; Published: 2002-08-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $1.92
Price in other shops:
Evidence from the Earth: Forensic Geology and Criminal Investigationby Raymond C. Murray
Mountain Press Publishing Company; Published: 2004-06-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.50
Price in other shops:
A Short History of Nearly Everythingby Bill Bryson
Broadway; Published: 2004-09-14; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.95
Price in other shops:
Bone Hunter (Em Hansen Mysteries)by Sarah Andrews
St. Martin's Minotaur; Published: 2000-09-15; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.31
Price in other shops:
Never Piss Into The Windby Jules R. DuBar
PublishAmerica; Published: 2004-04-05; Paperback; Book
Best price: $20.25
Price in other shops:
Similar Books and other products
Estwing E3-22P 22oz Rock PickJensen Distributing; Tools
Best price: $28.99
Price in other shops:
Earth: An Introduction to Physical Geology (8th Edition)by Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K Lutgens, Dennis Tasa
Prentice Hall; Published: 2004-03-14; Paperback; Book
Best price: $23.00
Price in other shops:
Gemstones (Smithsonian Handbooks)by Cally Hall
DK ADULT; Published: 2002-05-15; Paperback; Book
Best price: $11.00
Price in other shops:
Peterson First Guide to Rocks and Mineralsby Frederick H. Pough
Houghton Mifflin; Published: 1998-08-15; Paperback; Book
Best price: $0.01
Price in other shops:
Simon & Schuster's Guide to Rocks & MineralsSimon & Schuster, Inc.; Published: 1978-11-15; Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.99
Price in other shops:
The Field Guide to Geologyby David Lambert, Diagram Group
Checkmark Books; Published: 2006-11-30; Paperback; Book
Best price: $10.00
Price in other shops:
A Field Manual for the Amateur Geologist: Tools and Activities for Exploring Our Planetby Alan M. Cvancara
Jossey-Bass; Published: 1995-03-20; Paperback; Book
Best price: $9.79
Price in other shops:
National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals (National Audubon Society Field Guides)by NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY
Knopf; Published: 1979-05-12; Paperback; Book
Best price: $9.98
Price in other shops:
Geology: A Self-Teaching Guideby Barbara W. Murck
Wiley; Published: 2001-06-29; Paperback; Book
Best price: $11.15
Price in other shops:
Smithsonian Handbooks: Rocks & Minerals (Smithsonian Handbooks)by Chris Pellant
DK ADULT; Published: 2002-09-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $9.95
Price in other shops: