1 comments about The Encyclopedia of Gemstones and Minerals.

1. The Encyclopedia of Gemstones and Minerals by MARTIN HOLDEN, is one of the most satisfactoring reference book that I have read. Holden professionally combined visual elements and highly detailed information in this reference book. What makes this encyclopedia special is that the readers can easily find whatever they need to find without searching the index or reading the whole table of contents! Everything is alphabetical! If You need to find anything about crystal systems, what you need to do is just to check the letter "c". What you need is always there... And one other thing: You will be fascinated when you see the beautiful detailed pictures and highly informative text.

5 comments about Biogeochemistry: An Analysis of Global Change.

1. Biogeochemistry starts with a grand overview, including the formation of the elements, solar system & planets, and then progressively narrows the focus into specifics. As such by the time you get to a chapter on, say, the global carbon cycle, you already have a pretty good idea of where it fits in the big picture. Part I (Processes & Reactions) contains 9 chapters (Introduction, Origin, the Atmosphere, the Lithosphere, Biosphere: Terrstrial Carbon Cycle, Biosphere: Biogeochemical Cycling on Land, Biogeochemistry of Freshwater, Rivers & Estuaries, & the Oceans), which do a balanced job of covering the biological & geological aspects (too many books focus on one or the other). Part II (Global Cycles) has 5 chapters (Water, Carbon, Nitrogen & Phosphorous, Sulfur, & a final chapter on perspectives) that provide more of the details in these specalized catagories. Suitable for the advanced undergaduate or very interested bystandard, there's little detailed math (a weakness for me, but maybe not for you) but the chemistry is well summarized (and the biochemistry made simple & understandable), and the tables & graphs are clean and very useful. Perhaps more importantly for a "textbook", the style is readable - Schlesinger keeps the essentials, but does not bury the reader in them. While it might not provide all you need at a high level, the references scattered throughout as well as the recommended readings make this a great starting point for the subject, and a handy reference book for the subject as a whole.



2. I had to buy this for a Biogeochemical Cycles class. The book is great! It's actual readable, which I was never expecting. It's interesting and understandable. The first reviewer is right that it doesn't get too complex, but references out the more difficult parts. I appreciated not having to read the way-too-hard stuff on my first introduction to this subject.



3. I actually took Biogeochemistry from Dr. Schlesinger last fall and I do feel that the book is a good survey of alot of geochemical cycles and is presented at an undergraduate level.
   However, some of the information, particularly about methane, was severely broken up throughout the text to the point where it was difficult to put together complete chemical cycles of some elements..
   Nevertheless, it gives the reader the broad brush strokes necessary to get up to speed, particularly if you do not have a strong science background. For those who are very familiar to the sciences, you can get much more complete information from review papers than is presented here.



4. I bought this book to prepare for my comprehensive exam. Book consists of two parts: first part describes the generalities of physical/chemical/biological properties of atmosphere, soils, oceans; it also contains the description of the specifics of each cycle (main biogeochemical elements) in all those environment. The second part describes the cycles on the global scale, with up-to-date references to today`s situation on carbon dioxide concentration and prospects on global climate change. Very good material andvery good explanation.



5. This book, while slightly dated now, as much science has been done since it was published is still very thorough on the subject.

No comments about The Biogeochemistry of the Amazon Basin.

No comments about Chemical Quality of Water and the Hydrologic Cycle.

1 comments about Thermodynamics in Geochemistry: The Equilibrium Model.

1. Its a good book, very philosophical, the author goes in depth into all mathematical aspects. The examples used by the author are very creative. I highly recommend purchasing of this book.

No comments about Aquatic Chemistry: Interfacial and Interspecies Processes (Advances in Chemistry Series).

No comments about The Superdeep Well of the Kola Peninsula (Exploration of the Deep Continental Crust).

No comments about Plastic Deformation Of Minerals And Rocks.

1 comments about Trace Elements in Magmas: A Theoretical Treatment.

1. The Shaw's book 'trace elements in magmas' is the up-to-dated description of the available mathematical methods of modeling trace elements in igneous systems. It covers since the more simple Rayleigh fractional crystallisation and batch partial melting mechanisms until the most complex dynamic melting. It is well illustrated, concise, and has a number of useful references.

No comments about Stable Isotope Geochemistry.