NEW BOOKS

Our Threatened OceansStefan Rahmstorf and Katherine RichardsonHaus Publishing70 Cadogan Place London SW1X 9AH England 2009. 260 pages. US$ 14.95ISBN 978-1-906598-06-8

This book is part of The SustainabilityProject, a series of 12 volumes focusingon the challenges of global sustainabledevelopment. The authors provide aconcise introduction to physicaloceanography and the biodiversity ofoceans, along with an extensive discus-sion of various global element cyclesimportant in maintaining the health of the oceans. The goal of the book is to demonstrate how we can protectocean ecosystems.

Contents:

• Oceans and Their Role in the Global Climate

• Life in the Oceans

• Global Element Cycles

• Climate Change and the Oceans

• Changes to the Element Cycles

• Changes to Life in the Ocean

• The Ocean as a Waste Receptacle

• Other Human Uses of the Ocean

• Visions of the Future

The authors provide a conciseintroduction to physical oceanographyand the biodiversity of oceans. Twomajor themes running throughout thisbook are the interactions betweenhumans and the ocean—we are the primary reason the oceans are threat-ened—and the oceans’ primary role inregulating the global climate system.The book ends with both dark andbright visions of the future, dependingon how humans decide to interact withour oceans. This work is suitable forthe average reader interested in globalclimate change and the future of theoceans. . . . Recommended.

Schimmrich SH: Choice 47, no. 7

(March 2010): 1316.

59Summer 2010

Over the Coasts: An AerialView of GeologyMichael CollierMikaya Press12 Bedford StreetNew York, New York 10014 USA 2009. 120 pages. US$ 34.95ISBN 978-193141-442-5

In both words and images, aerial pho-tographer and geologist Michael Collierchronicles changes—many due tohuman impacts—that have occurredalong North American coasts: theAtlantic, the Pacific, the Great Lakesand the Gulf of Mexico. Also includedare spot maps, an overview map and glossary.

Contents:

• Introduction

• Poetry of Water, Dance of Sand

• Coasting Around the Continent: Gulf of Mexico; Southern Atlantic;Northern Atlantic; Great Lakes;Pacific; Alaska

• The Human Presence

• A Solace of Wings

• Photo Locations

• Glossary, Recommended Reading,Acknowledgements, Index

The effects of human activity aren’t always immediate, but Collier’simages show that such influences canbe long-lasting. . . . The vivid textaccompanying the beautiful pho-tographs make Over the Coasts asmuch an informative geology primer asit is an attractive coffee-table book.

Perkins S: Science News 176, no. 13

(December 19, 2009): 30.

Nanoscale: Visualizing an Invisible WorldKenneth S. Deffeyes and Stephen E. DeffeyesThe MIT Press55 Hayward StreetCambridge, Massachusetts 02142 USA 2009. 133 pages. US$ 22.95ISBN 978-0-262-01283-6

Based in large part on X-ray crystallog-raphy, this book examines variousmolecular structures smaller than ananometer in diameter. Each subjectwas chosen because it illustrates howatomic structure creates a property(such as hardness, color or toxicity),because it has a great story, or simplybecause it is beautiful.

Contents:

• Air

• Ice and Water Vapor

• Gold

• Chemical Bonds

• Sodium Chloride

• Diamond

• Hexagonal Diamond

• Nanotubes and Buckyballs

• Asbestos

• Pyroxene

• Amino Acids

• Phosphate

• Alpha Helix and Beta Sheet

• Lysozime

• Drugs

• Hemoglobin

• Chlorophyll

• Urease

• Lipid Membrane

• Rod Virus

• Icosahedra Virus

• Unit Cell Discovery

• Twinned Crystals

• Calcite Twinning

• Calcite Twin Plane

• Dolomite Twin Plane

• Quartz

• Close-Packed Metals

• Screw Dislocation

• Erionite

• Faujasite

• Lubricants

• Montmorillonite

• Perovskite Morph

• Perovskite Superconductor

• Silicon Diode

• Fuel Cell

• Laser Crystals

• Supercapacitor

• Epitaxial Growth

• Memristor

• Ferromagnetism

• Rare Earth Magnets

• Flash Memory

• Metallic Glass

• Spinodal Decomposition

• Diamantane

• Penrose Tiling

• Penrose Diffraction

• Quasicrystal

• Notes

. . .While the topics are sufficientlycomplex to challenge a sophisticatedreader, the lucid writing, anecdotalstyle, and exceptional illustrations will invite the interest of a wider audience. . . . Highly recommended.

Davis RM: Choice 47, no. 7 (March 2010): 1303.

[A] thoughtful, playful tourthrough the nano-scale world . . . . the50 cameo explanations are clear andvivid, often with surprising details andamusing touches of humanity. . . . Surprisingly engaging, this collectionof short lessons in molecular science isa fun, informative way to get lost ininner space.

Publishers Weekly (February 2, 2009),

http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/398524-

Web_Exclusive_Reviews_Week_of_02_02_

2009.php (accessed April 30, 2010).

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Introductory Mathematics for Earth ScientistsXin-She YangDunedin Academic PressHudson House8 Albany StreetEdinburgh EH1 3QB Scotland2009. 228 pages. US$ 25.50ISBN 190-671600-5

The book comprises 14 chapters, manyincluding case studies to illustrate fun-damental mathematical knowledge asapplied in various scientific processes.The topics covered include binomialtheorem, index notations, polynomials,sequences and series, trigonometry,spherical trigonometry, ordinary differential equations, partial differen-tial equations, Fourier transforms,numerical methods and geostatistics.

Contents:

• Preface

• Preliminary Mathematics I

• Preliminary Mathematics II

• Binomial Theorem and Sequences

• Trigonometry and SphericalTrigonometry

• Complex Numbers

• Differentiation

• Integration

• Fourier Transforms

• Vectors

• Matrix Algebra

• Ordinary Differential Equations

• Partial Differential Equations

• Geostatistics

• Bibliography, Glossary, MathematicalFormulae, Epilogue, Index

In this book, Yang provides anintroduction to the fundamental mathe-matics that all Earth scientists shouldattain. The book is self-contained andprovides an essential toolkit of basicmathematics. . . . Even though the bookhas been designed to offer good intro-duction to nonmathematicians andfreshman geoscientists, it can also beused as a quick reference book forrefreshing elementary mathematicalconcepts commonly used in Earth sciences by experienced geoscientists.

Tutuncu AN: The Leading Edge 29, no. 2

(February 2010): 229.

Vesuvius: A BiographyAlwyn ScarthPrinceton University Press41 William StreetPrinceton, New Jersey 08540 USA2009. 352 pages. US$ 29.95ISBN 978-0-691-14390-3

This book chronicles the eruptions ofMount Vesuvius along with a discussionof the scientific, historical and culturalimpacts of these eruptions. Alsoincluded are its effects on daily living,recreation, commerce, art and religion.

Contents:

• Introduction

• Campanian Volcanoes: In the Beginning

• The Avellino Eruption: A Prelude to Pompeii

• The Eruption in AD 79: The Day of Wrath

• From Antiquity to the Renaissance:Tall Stories

• The Eruption of Monte Nuovo: A New Approach

• The Eruption in 1631: The CounterReformation

• The Old Cities Rediscovered: Antiquity Protected

• Hamilton and Vesuvius: Volcano-Watching

• Vesuvius as a Tourist Attraction: The Grand Tour

• Persistent Activity, 1822–1944: Scientific Scrutiny

• The Campi Flegrei: An Eruption That Failed

• The Future: The Eruption to Be Avoided

• Appendixes, Bibliography, Index

Maps, photographs, and an extensive bibliography augment thestories. Vesuvius is unmatched for itsintegration of the scientific, historical,and cultural aspects of a world-famousvolcano that must be reckoned with. . . .Highly recommended.

Grose TLT: Choice 47, no. 7 (March 2010): 1316.

Now and again a book appearsthat offers a different perspective onvolcanic eruptions. Alwyn Scarth’sVesuvius: A Biography is one suchbook, and it takes the reader on a fascinating journey through Vesuvius’history seen through the eyes of thepeople who witnessed the eruptionsand who were often directly affected by them. . . . A gripping book.

Gurioli L: Times Higher Education (March 11,

2010), http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/

story.asp?storyCode=410823&sectioncode=26

(accessed June 7, 2010).

Principles of Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology, 2nd editionAnthony R. Philpotts and Jay J. AgueCambridge University Press32 Avenue of the AmericasNew York, New York 10013 USA 2009. 686 pages. US$ 90.00ISBN 978-0-521-88006-0

This textbook provides a basic under-standing of the formative processes ofigneous and metamorphic rock. Withmore than 350 illustrations, this revisededition contains much new material onthe structure of the Earth’s mantle andcore, the properties and behavior ofmagmas and recent results from satellite imaging.

Contents:

• Introduction

• Physical Properties of Magma

• Intrusion of Magma

• Forms of Igneous Bodies

• Cooling of Igneous Bodies and OtherDiffusion Processes

• Classification of Igneous Rocks

• Introduction to Thermodynamics

• Free Energy and Phase Equilibria

• Thermodynamics of Solutions

• Phase Equilibria in Igneous Systems

• Effects of Volatiles on Melt Equilibria

• Crystal Growth

• Isotope Geochemistry Related toPetrology

• Magmatic Processes

• Igneous Rock Associations

• Metamorphism and MetamorphicFacies

• Deformation and Textures of Metamorphic Rocks

• Graphical Analysis of MetamorphicMineral Assemblages

• Geothermometry, Geobarometry, and Mineral Reactions Among Solid Solutions

• Mineral Reactions Involving H2Oand CO2

• Material Transport During Metamorphism

• Pressure–Temperature–Time Paths and Heat Transfer DuringMetamorphism

• Origin of Rocks

• Answers to Selected Numerical Problems, References, Index

. . . a welcome update of the vol-ume originally published in 1990. . . .The real quality of this book lies in itsauthoritative character and depth ofcoverage. This is enhanced by the inte-gration of research-based informationfrom journals. . . . The text is comple-mented by crisp, clear diagrams andphotographs, including some takenfrom publications.

Davidson J: Elements 6, no. 1 (February 2010): 61.

60 Oilfield Review

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