1 comments about An Introduction to Environmental Chemistry.

1. For beginners in environmental sciences, this book will be an excellent guide to different issues such as: Water, soil and atmosphere chemistry. Each chapter is well organized, and the structure of the book is quite easy to follow. If you are looking for some good introductory book for your undergraduate courses of environmental chemistry, well, this is your book. On the contrary, if what you need is a more detailed review of soil, water or air pollution, I recommend you to look out for a more advanced book in that specific matter.

3 comments about Volcanism.

1. As a glance at some of my other reviews may indicate, I am very interested in nearly all aspects of volcanoes and volcanology. This is by far the best book that I have ever read on the general subject.
   
   The photography is in four-color format and is about the best I have ever encountered on the topics. The book is jam-packed with illustrative diagrams of high quality, and both photos and diagrams follow the text in a crisp, well-crafted manner. The book was obviously written in German first, and sometimes the grammatical translations seem awkward, but remain easily understandable. This is no way detracts from the substantive content of the book.
   
   Not surprisngly, many of the illustration are from sites of European volcanism, such as the Lacher See region of Rhineland, Germany, and the Canary Islands. The discussion of the extremely violent, but hardly known, Lacher See event is well done, and should be carefully perused by any reader. Dr. Schminke reveals a history that is hardly known about, and sorely unappreciated, by readers on this side of the Atlantic. A repetition of the event today, which is cetainly not out of the question, would a major disaster for Western Europe.
   
   While the book uses many terms not familiar to one not acquainted with geology, these are explained for the most part, so the book should be enjoyed by anyone with a high school background in science. Of the many new books on volcanoes in recent years, this is unquestionably the finest one in my belief. I recommend it very highly to anyone who really enjoys the subject of volcanoes.



2. The book is powerfull mostly for beginner and intermediate skill in volcanology. Many nice images and pictures make the book easy to digest eventhough read by the very beginner people. The complex earth system explained simply but sharply to the point.



3. I didn't have the opportunity to take a volcanology class as a student, so bought this book to read for "fun." Dr. Schmincke's text is easy to understand (even when he explains relatively difficult concepts) and the photographs and illustrations are great - straightforward, colorful, and all definitely add to the text. As a former college geology instructor, I appreciate a book like this and, just from a pure enjoyment perspective - "Volcanism" was super; I had a tough time putting it down.

No comments about Chemistry In Context: Applying Chemistry To Society.

2 comments about Physical Properties of Crystals: Their Representation by Tensors and Matrices.

1. The book by Nye is considered by many people in the relevant scientific societies as the "bible" of crystal physics. In scientific terms, it is a rigorously written book on tensor algedra which which is the mathematical formalism essential to describe the physical properties of crystals. The mathematical complexity of the book is rather elementary and hence could be used for a senior level advanced undergraduate course as well (typically it is used as a first your graduate course text). The first half of the book discusses equilibrium properties of crystals (permittivity, piezoelectricity, elasticity etc.), therefore a rather modest background in physics is needed. The second half of the book that is devoted to transport properties may require some "general" background on the basic principles of transport phenomena and irreversible thermodynamics. This book, in my opinion, is a very well written book that places the physical properties of crystals in an "easy to comprehend" mathematical framework eloquently. It is an excellent text book. I highly recommend it.



2. This is a book easy to read and to follow from the beginning until the end. It is worth to get it if you are interested in the relationship between symmetry and properties of any crystalline material.
   It is broadly explained the derivation of the 32 point groups and they relation with the piezoelectricity, strain, thermal conductivity, etc.
   It's an essential book for both, Materials scientists and students.

2 comments about Geochemistry, Groundwater and Pollution, Second Edition (PBK).

1. The second edition of Appelo's textbook / reference volume is among the best written and enjoyable books available on groundwater. The figures are original, clear, and appropriate, and the text follows an intellectually solid, but very readable format. Definitely a requisite book for the student and professional.



2. This is a great book for students and professionals alike. Starts with the very basics of water chemistry and covers almost everything that one could think of. What sets this book apart from other chemical hydrogeology books is the extensive integration of PHREQC and the many links to free useful applications and graphing tools. I highly recommend this book.

2 comments about Ocean Biogeochemical Dynamics.

1. This book will introduce you to the basics and important concepts of biogeochemical oceanography. It's a good reference book and I think it will be helpful for graduate students to prepare for their qualification exams.



2. I have a very positive opinion... the process was clear and the delivery fast..so I am happy with amazon and I will recomend it to my friends.

No comments about Laboratory Manual to accompany Chemistry in Context: Applying Chemistry to Society.

2 comments about Geochemistry: An Introduction.

1. This complete guide will tell you all the basic and in some ways advanced knowledge of GeoChemistry.



2. I recieved my book within a week and I am happy with it. Thanks!

5 comments about Introduction to Optical Mineralogy.

1. Finally we have a mineralogy text book that will compete with Klein and Hurlbuts's Manual of Mineralogy. The line drawings are outstanding. I am using this text book the next time I teach mineralogy.



2. As a student of Geology, I have used Nesse as my bible for all petrology courses. It is complete, comprehensive and easy to use. A must for all geologists, student or not.



3. This is a definate must have for all you Geologists out there. No matter what year of school you are in or even if you are no longer in school, but need a bit of reference now and again, this is the book to have. Nesse does an excellent job of clearly explaining and illustrating the optical properties of minerals. He includes all of the essential bits of information that any geologist will need. I highly recommend this book as a great reference tool that any geologist or aspiring geologist should add to their collection of references.



4. Another fine, informative book that is truly helpful in gemology, as well as the intended geology studies.
   Well worth the price.



5. A well written and illustrated textbook on the subject matter. It is exactly what it wants to be: An introduction. And it is a good one. Wide and detailed enough to give the beginner a good handle of "what optical mineralogy is all about" without going into too much detail of purely academic issues. Good balance of theory and examples.
   The illustrations are plenty, rich and very instructive. However, minor improvements may be possible by replacing some of the black&white illustrations with updated colour graphics, in particular the microphotographs.

1 comments about Introduction to Mineralogy.

1. This is a very informative book. It is quite helpful in the field of gemology, as well as the intended field of geology.