The Earth Machine: The Science of a Dynamic Planet

A good quality book, for a good price.I have no complaint with the book dealer.But...the print is small, my eyes are poor and the book is heavy.

I had to buy this for a course I'm taking. Well written.

this is one of the best text books i have ever used. it is so well written, with a tremendous amount of information, interestingly presented & with great photos and explanations--

This book is great. It is well-written and beautifully illustrated. It covers a broad range of topics - you can check the Columbia University Press web site for the table of contents. I think for the price it might be the best overall earth science book out there.

Books on geology can, if poorly written or too technical, be unbelievably dull except to the enthusiast. Still earth history is important to us all as it deals with the formation of minerals, rocks and energy sources like coal and oil, as well as the origin and evolution of life, the causes of volcanoes and earth quakes, the movements of continents and the development and possible future of the atmosphere. Indeed it encompasses the very foundation of our existence. In "The Earth Machine: The Science of a Dynamic Planet" Edmond A. Mathez and James D. Webster have given this subject a new breath of life and have produced probably the best introduction to geology for the layman currently in print.In their book they explain current theories on the evolution and movement of continents, the development of life, the formation of the atmosphere and the threats of ozone depletion and global warming, and many more aspects of the study of our home planet. They give accounts of great volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, explain mountain building and ocean currents, discuss the weird ecosystems of hydrothermal vents and the formation of valuable productions of the earth like salt, gold and coal. All the while they sprinkle in historical accounts of past geologists and their work in a fascinating narrative.All in all this is a great introductory text in earth history and I recommend it enthusiastically for anyone curious of how our blue planet functions.

This book just keeps talking and talking and talking about rocks. I mean, really, how much is there to say? They come in different colors and they're usually pretty hard, except when they're not. Otherwise, meh.

The book's quality is good for me.

Want to brush up on your geology?! Been a long time since those student days?! Then buy this book, nice summary of geology to avoid those awkward questions that you should know the answer to but can't quite remember....

This book explains how the earth works in a very concise way, easy to read, although some of the equations leave me cold. But from a point of understanding the earth it is very good. A must read for anyone with the remotest interest in the subject.

Excellent reading.More on [...]"Dr. Mathez is an igneous petrologist and geochemist. He has written on a range of topics, such as how basaltic magmas differentiate and solidify, how platinum group element deposits form, and how carbon in rocks influences physical properties. He has had a long interest in the character and evolution of early Earth and issues associated with climate change. His interests have led him to do field work in various parts of the globe, from North America to South Africa and from Greenland to the deep ocean. He was the lead curator of the Gottesman Hall of Planet Earth and co-curated the temporary exhibition Climate Change: The Threat to Life and a New Energy Future."