I first happened to see this book on the counter at a local bookshop, noted the price, and commented to the bookseller that at $150 I would not be thinking of buying it, though I liked the look of the book. His reply ...I first happened to see this book on the counter at a local bookshop, noted the price, and commented to the bookseller that at $150 I would not be thinking of buying it, though I liked the look of the book. His reply was ＂Well, it＇s an academic book, and they are very expensive these days＂. How true! Fortunately, I later discovered the paperback edition at less than half the price of the hard- back; so I bought it and am glad that I did.展开更多
This valuable book was first published in Japanese in 2002, under the title Sedimentology： a way to the new discipline of earth sciences. Given the problems that nearly all non-Japanese people have in reading Japanes...This valuable book was first published in Japanese in 2002, under the title Sedimentology： a way to the new discipline of earth sciences. Given the problems that nearly all non-Japanese people have in reading Japanese, its translation into English in an expanded form, accomplished with the help of Professor Kenyon-Smith, is exceedingly welcome, given that it is the first book to provide a history of sedimentology. I should say at the outset that the translation is firstrate, being a model of clarity that puts many modern English-language texts to shame. The book is also copiously illustrated, including many photo-portraits of persons previously only known to me by name or through their writings.展开更多
For at least two centuries, most geologists have been convinced that Earth has experienced a ＂linear,＂ directional history. There is no doubt that our planet is very different from what it was a few billion years ag...For at least two centuries, most geologists have been convinced that Earth has experienced a ＂linear,＂ directional history. There is no doubt that our planet is very different from what it was a few billion years ago. No one expects Earth＇s internal differentiation into a core, mantle, and crust to be reversed, and future evolution of life is unlikely to revert to one-celled organisms and then repeat itself. In spite of such mega-examples of non-cyclic processes, every introductory geology student is confronted almost immediately with the ＂rock cycle＂ and eventually with the ＂hydrological cycle＂ and even the cyclic nature of plate tectonics. Geology majors learn about cyclothems,展开更多
Bernard Leake was for many years professor of geology at Glasgow University.In his fine biography–a large and weighty tome–he details the extraordinary career of one of his most notable predecessors,John W.Gregory.P...Bernard Leake was for many years professor of geology at Glasgow University.In his fine biography–a large and weighty tome–he details the extraordinary career of one of his most notable predecessors,John W.Gregory.Perhaps writing the book can be thought of as an act of institutional piety,but one from which we can all benefit:Gregory was a man who inspired;and his light will now shine even more brightly.展开更多
Arthur Holmes(1890-1965)Holmes is widely regarded as one of the finest geologists of the twentieth century and probably the greatest British geologist of his day.He was professor first at the Durham University and the...Arthur Holmes(1890-1965)Holmes is widely regarded as one of the finest geologists of the twentieth century and probably the greatest British geologist of his day.He was professor first at the Durham University and then at Edinburgh,where he is still revered.He did substantial work in Africa and Burma and made contributions in petrology,geomorphology,geophysics,structural geology and geochronology.His knowledge of the geological literature and world geology was comprehensive.展开更多
By Mike Johnston and Sascha Nolden Nikau Press,Nelson,NZ,2011.336 pp.The two subjects of this book laid the first firm foundations for understanding the geology of New Zealand(NZ),following their work there from 1858 ...By Mike Johnston and Sascha Nolden Nikau Press,Nelson,NZ,2011.336 pp.The two subjects of this book laid the first firm foundations for understanding the geology of New Zealand(NZ),following their work there from 1858 to 1860.Ferdinand Hochstetter was the geologist(seconded from the Austrian Survey)on board the Austrian vessel Novara,which was undertaking a round-the-world scientific expedition.He found much of interest in NZ,which until his arrival in 1858 had had no professional geologists working there for any length of time;and with the discovery of coal near Auckland,the NZ Government was eager to obtain the services of a trained geologist to give advice on the prospects for coal mining.展开更多
I happen to know that this book has had a long period of gestation,but it is a pleasure to see the fine finished product.The GSA is to be warmly congratulated for publishing such a volume,for although the number of re...I happen to know that this book has had a long period of gestation,but it is a pleasure to see the fine finished product.The GSA is to be warmly congratulated for publishing such a volume,for although the number of readers will probably be quite small,at least in the short-run,it fills what has been a gaping void in the literature on the history of the Earth sciences.展开更多
The Government of India played host to the 22nd International Geological Congress between 14 and 22 December 1964 in New Delhi,India.This was the first meeting of the IGC on Asian soil and possibly the largest scienti...The Government of India played host to the 22nd International Geological Congress between 14 and 22 December 1964 in New Delhi,India.This was the first meeting of the IGC on Asian soil and possibly the largest scientific conclave ever to take place in India up to that time.The honour might have come in 1952,as Dr D.N.Wadia extended an invitation to hold a meeting in India at the 18th Congress in London in 1948,but there was already an invitation from France to hold one in Algiers in 1952 and the intended invitation from India did not arrive.An invitation from Mexico saved the situation and at the Mexican IGC,attended by Dr M.S.Krishnan,V.P.Sondhi,and Professor C.Mahadevan(Andhra University,Waltair),the invitation came late after the Council had voted for Denmark;and thus the 21st IGC was held in Copenhagen in 1960.It was in a way a natural fulfilment when ultimately the 22nd IGC was held in New Delhi.The Geological Survey of India,the third oldest and the largest in the world at that time,then had more than a thousand personnel on its staff.展开更多
文摘I first happened to see this book on the counter at a local bookshop, noted the price, and commented to the bookseller that at $150 I would not be thinking of buying it, though I liked the look of the book. His reply was ＂Well, it＇s an academic book, and they are very expensive these days＂. How true! Fortunately, I later discovered the paperback edition at less than half the price of the hard- back; so I bought it and am glad that I did.
文摘This valuable book was first published in Japanese in 2002, under the title Sedimentology： a way to the new discipline of earth sciences. Given the problems that nearly all non-Japanese people have in reading Japanese, its translation into English in an expanded form, accomplished with the help of Professor Kenyon-Smith, is exceedingly welcome, given that it is the first book to provide a history of sedimentology. I should say at the outset that the translation is firstrate, being a model of clarity that puts many modern English-language texts to shame. The book is also copiously illustrated, including many photo-portraits of persons previously only known to me by name or through their writings.
文摘For at least two centuries, most geologists have been convinced that Earth has experienced a ＂linear,＂ directional history. There is no doubt that our planet is very different from what it was a few billion years ago. No one expects Earth＇s internal differentiation into a core, mantle, and crust to be reversed, and future evolution of life is unlikely to revert to one-celled organisms and then repeat itself. In spite of such mega-examples of non-cyclic processes, every introductory geology student is confronted almost immediately with the ＂rock cycle＂ and eventually with the ＂hydrological cycle＂ and even the cyclic nature of plate tectonics. Geology majors learn about cyclothems,
文摘Bernard Leake was for many years professor of geology at Glasgow University.In his fine biography–a large and weighty tome–he details the extraordinary career of one of his most notable predecessors,John W.Gregory.Perhaps writing the book can be thought of as an act of institutional piety,but one from which we can all benefit:Gregory was a man who inspired;and his light will now shine even more brightly.
文摘Arthur Holmes(1890-1965)Holmes is widely regarded as one of the finest geologists of the twentieth century and probably the greatest British geologist of his day.He was professor first at the Durham University and then at Edinburgh,where he is still revered.He did substantial work in Africa and Burma and made contributions in petrology,geomorphology,geophysics,structural geology and geochronology.His knowledge of the geological literature and world geology was comprehensive.
文摘By Mike Johnston and Sascha Nolden Nikau Press,Nelson,NZ,2011.336 pp.The two subjects of this book laid the first firm foundations for understanding the geology of New Zealand(NZ),following their work there from 1858 to 1860.Ferdinand Hochstetter was the geologist(seconded from the Austrian Survey)on board the Austrian vessel Novara,which was undertaking a round-the-world scientific expedition.He found much of interest in NZ,which until his arrival in 1858 had had no professional geologists working there for any length of time;and with the discovery of coal near Auckland,the NZ Government was eager to obtain the services of a trained geologist to give advice on the prospects for coal mining.
文摘I happen to know that this book has had a long period of gestation,but it is a pleasure to see the fine finished product.The GSA is to be warmly congratulated for publishing such a volume,for although the number of readers will probably be quite small,at least in the short-run,it fills what has been a gaping void in the literature on the history of the Earth sciences.
文摘The Government of India played host to the 22nd International Geological Congress between 14 and 22 December 1964 in New Delhi,India.This was the first meeting of the IGC on Asian soil and possibly the largest scientific conclave ever to take place in India up to that time.The honour might have come in 1952,as Dr D.N.Wadia extended an invitation to hold a meeting in India at the 18th Congress in London in 1948,but there was already an invitation from France to hold one in Algiers in 1952 and the intended invitation from India did not arrive.An invitation from Mexico saved the situation and at the Mexican IGC,attended by Dr M.S.Krishnan,V.P.Sondhi,and Professor C.Mahadevan(Andhra University,Waltair),the invitation came late after the Council had voted for Denmark;and thus the 21st IGC was held in Copenhagen in 1960.It was in a way a natural fulfilment when ultimately the 22nd IGC was held in New Delhi.The Geological Survey of India,the third oldest and the largest in the world at that time,then had more than a thousand personnel on its staff.
