25th
February
2007
Geology Reading List
posted in Geology, books |
Over at Apparent Dip, Thermochronic is compiling a list of geology/science books that are accessible to the general public for “The Great Science Book Challenge” (see also here). I’ve made a couple of suggestions off of my Intro Geology extra credit reading list. Of course, John McPhee is right at the top of my list of recommendations. I’ve found some other interesting titles on his list that I haven’t read yet – all I need to do now is find the time to read them. 
Do you have any suggestions to add to these lists? Tell me about your favorite geology/science popular culture books in the comments.
Hi! I just wanted to thank you for these reading lists. I’m the
epitome of the layperson when it comes to geology, but I’m
halfway through Annals of the Former World and was looking for other
accessible books to feed my new interest. I’ve already read
A Short History of Nearly Everything and I just bought
(but haven’t read yet) The Map that
Changed the World by Simon Winchester and a book called Teach
Yourself Geology. I don’t know how good that one will be. Anyway,
I’ve printed out both lists and I’m excited to get to these books.
Thanks again!
Ron, my personal favorite is Dougal Dixon’s “The Practical Geologist.” Great stuff, that.
Thanks for posting this, too.
@Camille: Glad you found the list useful. Savor Annals of the Former World as much as you can – McPhee is going to be hard to top, and Annals is a tour de force. If you can get Simon Winchester’s Krakatoa I’d recommend that over The Map that Changed the World. I thought Winchester had an interesting thesis in The Map, but after the first few chapters it felt to me like he was just gratuitously beating me over the head with it. By contrast, Krakatoa was fresh and interesting throughout.
@KT: Just ordered it from Amazon. Thanks for the suggestion.
I am not sure if this is on either list, but my students often enjoy “Digging up Dinosaurs.” The book is by Jack Horner with a coauthor. “T Rex and the Crater of Doom” is another hot sell. There are not too many geologists who can convey their excitement with their chosen field to the lay public. That is why it is so great that we have had John McPhee to do that for us.
I plan to keep a close eye on your posts now that I have found your blog.
Wow! Now that’s taking a recommendation to heart. I’d love to hear what you think of it. There’s a paragraph in there that gently remonstrates rockhounds for being less than scientific. Guilty as charged over here!
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