Book Description
Each volume in the series focuses on one major area of science normally taught in grades K-8 and offers a store of stimulating activities that can be used with virtually any science text. All activities are complete and ready for use. Book III presents over 165 inquiry activities covering the topics of Air, Water, Weather, the Earth, Ecology, Above the Earth, and Beyond the Earth. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Simple and Informative
I purchased all three of the science activity books to help fill in a homeschool science program. I think I could probably use these books alone as a science program. These are great experiments with enough background for the non-science person to teach from. They use largely materials that you have lying around the house, and when they ask for something less available, there is often another experiment with more common items that teaches the same concept. Very adaptable to the multi-age classroom that most homeschoolers have. It's very easy to make the lessons harder for older students while not "losing" the Kindergarteners.

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Customer Reviews (1)

Very Good Text Book
A very good text book to learn about Earth Science ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Good Science but it won't Convince a Creationist
The people who believe in creation science have a real problem. They are bound to a literal intrepretation of the bible which is now a couple of thousand years old and what little science that can be found in the bible is based on Aristotle. In the centuries since there has been a lot of evidence discovered about things like the Earth going around the Sun. And of course there's hundreds of years of evidence, study, experiments, etc. pretty well proving evolution.

But if evolution is right, then the history of the earth as contained in the Bible has to be wrong. And if that part of the Bible is wrong, why the whole concept of salvation may be wrong. And if that is the case, why their whole religion makes no sense.

This particular book is more geology/physics oriented than most. It discusses things like Noah's flood, and how the speed of light is a constant. Of course to the creationist (Oooophs, I forgot, that's a bad word, it's Intelligent Designer) none of this will matter.

If you're interested in amore recent book with more biological reference, consider Unintelligent Design by Mark Perakh.

Full of Answers -- Complete
I found this book after a creationist posed some potential problems to me regarding a 4.5 billion y.o. earth. After reading several sections of this book, I am very pleased with the presentation of the material and the depth with which it is covered. The rebuttles to creationism in this book are thorough and often go into more detail than necessary (although I found the depth more interesting and useful if further questions arose).

There are many topics covered in this book.I used information from it on the following potential problems:
-content of the oceans (poor dating method due to "residence times" of elements in the ocean)
-the moon's recession from the earth (consistent with expected age of the moon, websites were also useful in researching this topic)
-radiometric dating with uranium and other radioactive materials (very in depth info on this, and if understood, very convincing of why this is a good dating method)
-decline of the speed of light (this book blows this idea out of the water)
-carbon 14 dating and the earth's magnetic field (these really tie together, and Strahler addresses both very well, showing that C-14 has had variations throughout time, and the magnetic field also variates and can actually flip, as has been observed in the sun; these two tie together since the magnetic field influences how much C-14 is in the atmosphere)
-oil fields (explains how it isn't just a bunch of pools underneith earth, but is in porous rock, which doesn't really support Noah's flood; plus C-14 dating shows it is too old to be from Noah's flood)
This is certainly not an exhaustive list of what is in this book, but these were the topics I found most useful. Because this book was published in 1987, don't expect too much on more recent fields (such as using DNA to discredit the story of Adam and Eve living just 6,000 years ago).

This book will explain holes in the creationist story (either can be used to expose these holes or to realize, for creationists, that there isn't a problem).This is quite possibly the most interesting book I have picked up in the last year and I would highly recommend it to any person who believes in a young earth or to anyone debating this topic.

Solid as a rock!
With an exhaustive overview of the geologic and evolutionary history of our planet, Strahler vigorously rebuts a multitude of Christian creationist assertions.Strahler takes some effort to expose the faulty logic, poor science and devious methods Christians have used to impair the public's perception of evolution.The author is able to fully detail each creationist assertion and how science refutes them.If there is a pivot point in this presentation, it would be the spurious "human" tracks "found" in a Texas riverbed.Many facets - the age of the earth, the path of evolution and the role of analysis - are exemplified by the circumstances surrounding this artefact.

While Strahler leaves no doubt over his view of Christian creationists, he provides such a wealth of their material that the book might well be considered "balanced".It is certainly thorough in presenting a history of modern creationism and its spokesmen [if there are any women active in promoting "creation science" they don't appear here].Strahler lays a foundation by comparing science and pseudo-science.The contrast between empirical research and declaration from assertion should be apparent to all, but Strahler spells it out carefully and clearly.From this beginning he takes us through a succession of topics, exhibiting the creationist declarations, then depicting the errors in them.In some cases, the errors are simply false, while others are twisted use of words or ideas.Strahler set himself a monumental task in composing this book, but as someone with long experience in the geologic column, perhaps there is no-one better qualified to assess the material.

This is a rich trove for almost anyone interested in the planet's history.Most of the line drawings and other illustrations are worthy of close attention.Although set as a counter to false thinking, there is a massive amount of material on such topics as radiometric dating, cosmology, geological processes, fossil analysis and the evolution of humanity.Each area acknowledges the leaders in the research.While crediting good studies, Strahler is careful to note where his fellow scientists have been slipshod or dismissive over word usage in dealing with creationists or simply reporting their science.A worthwhile book for a wide spectrum of readers.[stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]

Disappointment: The "New" 1999 "Edition" is Only a Reprint
I was disappointed that except for an additional preface, the 1999 "edition" is only a reprint of the first edition from 1987.Outside of the new preface, the book does NOT include "responses to new attacks on evolutionary theory" as promised on the front cover.However, far from being "superficial," the book still contains a wealth of detailed and accurate information that is utterly fatal to creationist fantasies.

It is true that Strahler (p. 135) falsely blames creationist John Woodmorappe of misrepresenting the contents of an article on the radiometric dating of some Hawaiian basalts. In reality, the distortions originated from creationist H. Morris.Nevertheless, Strahler's rebuttal of the distortions is valid.

Clearly, Strahler needs to update this book and respond to the blatant misquotes, misconceptions, and errors that permeate the tabloid literature that continuously streams from various creation "institutes" that claim to be doing "research" or have "answers." For example, geologists have known since at least the early 1960's that SOME magmas travel rapidly through crusts, as fast as several ten's of kilometers per month.Since the first printing of Strahler's book, creationists have distorted the literature on magma movement and cooling, including some of the references in Strahler.Creationists illogically imply that because SOME magmas travel quickly and smaller plutons may cool rapidly, ALL magmas must travel and cool quickly.As a specific example, Strahler needs to supplement his discussions on p. 212-213 and further describe how the cooling of huge plutons, such as the Sierra Nevada Batholith of California (p. 213), took more than 10 million years and how this and many other plutons thoroughly refute creationist claims that the Earth is only 6,000 to 10,000 years old.Strahler should also discuss the 1989 Science article by Odom and Rink that destroys creationist claims for "ex nihilo" polonium halos.

Disappointment: The "New" 1999 "Edition" is Only a Reprint
I was disappointed that except for an additional preface, the 1999 "edition" is only a reprint of the first edition from 1987.Outside of the new preface, the book does NOT include "responses to new attacks on evolutionary theory" as promised on the front cover.However, far from being "superficial," the book still contains a wealth of detailed and accurate information that is utterly fatal to creationist fantasies.

It is true that Strahler (p. 135) falsely blames creationist John Woodmorappe of misrepresenting the contents of an article on the radiometric dating of some Hawaiian basalts. In reality, the distortions originated from creationist H. Morris.Nevertheless, Strahler's rebuttal of the distortions is valid.

Clearly, Strahler needs to update this book and respond to the blatant misquotes, misconceptions, and errors that permeate the tabloid literature that continuously streams from various creation "institutes" that claim to be doing "research" or have "answers." For example, geologists have known since at least the early 1960's that SOME magmas travel rapidly through crusts, as fast as several ten's of kilometers per month.Since the first printing of Strahler's book, creationists have distorted the literature on magma movement and cooling, including some of the references in Strahler.Creationists illogically imply that because SOME magmas travel quickly and smaller plutons may cool rapidly, ALL magmas must travel and cool quickly.As a specific example, Strahler needs to supplement his discussions on p. 212-213 and further describe how the cooling of huge plutons, such as the Sierra Nevada Batholith of California (p. 213), took more than 10 million years and how this and other numerous plutons thoroughly refute creationist claims that the Earth is only 6,000 to 10,000 years old.Strahler should also discuss the 1989 Science article by Odom and Rink that destroys creationist claims for "ex nihilo" polonium halos. ... Read more

Product Description
Focus on earth science ... Read more

Book Description
This leading dictionary - now in its third edition - offers wide-ranging and authoritative coverage of the earth sciences and related topics in 6,250+ clear and accessible entries. Coverage includes geology,oceanography, paleontology, minerology, volcanology, and planetary science as well as climatology, geochemistry and petrology. It is an essential reference for students of geography, geology, and earth sciences and in related disciplines. The third edition is fully updated and includes additional coverage of process geomorphology and physical geography, plus more than 50 new line drawings to accompany descriptions of forms and processes. The new edition also includes entry-level web links, accessed via a regularly updated companion website to ensure that links do not go out of date. The appendices include a revised geological timel scale, an updated bibliography, stratigraphic units, lunar and Martian time scales, wind-strenght scales, and SI units. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Review of the 2nd edition (1999)
While not an earth sciences person myself, I have had to plow through quite a number of environmental science dictionaries and textbooks over the years as references for various aspects of projects at my job (which has to do with environmental modelling, representation, and simulation). It'd be a shame to let all that "how would an educated layperson cope with this book" experience go to waste...

The authors themselves make clear in their prefaces (that for the first edition is also included) what the intended use of the book is - as a dictionary of words and terms in current use, in order to explain that usage (*not* to express an opinion on what a correct usage should be). (In compiling any sort of dictionary/glossary across multiple disciplines, believe me, it's *very* difficult to agree on The One True Definition (TM) of any term.)

The DICTIONARY isn't intended as a textbook, but might be a useful supplement. There are occasional diagrams, but not many relative to the number of entries.

A DICTIONARY OF EARTH SCIENCES doesn't *just* tackle geologic terms - if it did, it'd be titled differently. The scope includes "terms from climatology, meteorology, economic geology, engineering geology, geochemistry, geochronology, geomorphology, geophysics, hydrology, mineralogy, oceanography, palaeoclimatology, palaeoecology, palaeogeography, palaeontology, pedology, petrology...planetary geology, sedimentology, stratigraphy, structural geology, tectonics, and volcanology."

Having such a broad scope, it's good for general / introductory knowledge, on the whole, but don't expect *too* much of it for more specialized areas.

It passes my personal, idiosyncratic acid test; it not only defines the Udden-Wentworth scale of particle size (which is used to grade sands, silts, gravel, etc.), but gives both its common names. (Far too many textbooks seem to assume that the scale fell out of the sky and don't even give its name.) So it's reasonably good at defining very common terms and tools that are often assumed to need no explanation.

Differences from the first edition: all terms were reviewed, many updated. There were a few removals of terms no longer considered relevant, and a great many additions (this last generated mostly by planetary exploration both in space and for natural resources).

Good Undergraduate Reference
I found this dictionary very useful for my geology, climate, and meteorology classes as an undergraduate.

Very helpful
Being an Earth Science major in school, I found this book helpful for most general Earth Science terms, but when it gets down to the more advanced terms (ie for mineralogy, petrography, etc), this book is somewhat lacking. Overall helpful with general knowledge. ... Read more

Book Description
Hundreds of well-illustrated articles explore the most important fields of science

Based on content from the McGraw-Hill Concise Encyclopedia of Science & Technology, Fifth Edition, the most widely used and respected science reference of its kind in print, the new Concise Encyclopedia Series delivers:

* Detailed, well-illustrated explanations, not just definitions
* Hudnreds of concise yet authoritative articles in each volume
* An easy-to-understand presentation, accessible and interesting to non-specialists
* A portable, convenient format
* Bibliographies, appendices, and other information to supplement the articles ... Read more

Book Description
For more than two decades, Botkin has been active in the application of ecological science to environmental management. Updated and revised to include the latest research in the field, the new Sixth Edition of Environmental Science continues to present a balanced analytical and interdisciplinary approach to the field. This approach equips readers with a solid scientific background in environmental science, so they can think through environmental issues and make their own decisions. Five central themes are weaved throughout the book: Human Population Growth, Sustainability, A Global Perspective, An Urban World, and Science and Values. ... Read more

Book Description
Just read the headlines. Whether it’s global warming, arctic drilling, or expanding industrial nations, the news is filled with stories about environmental issues. To understand the news, you have to understand the science. With Botkin and Keller’s Fifth Edition of Environmental Science, you’ll have the opportunity to develop a firm foundation of scientific knowledge, so you can think through environmental issues and make your own decisions regarding the environment. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Comprehensive and thorough
Comprehensive and thorough, clear and understanable even for youth. Ilustrations contribute a lot to the overall picture.

Pretty good overview of environmental science
I took a class which used this textbook at the University of California, Santa Barbara, which was co-taught by one of the authors, Ed Keller. This is an introductory book that provides a decent overview of the problems we are currently facing in regard to the environment, what we can do to solve those problems, and other opportunities that our environment can give us. ... Read more

Book Description
In this edition of Miller's ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE, a new Student CD-ROM, INTERACTIVE CONCEPTS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE, has been added! This groundbreaking addition integrates nearly 100 engaging animations and interactions with chapter summaries, flashcards, and Web-based quizzes. Organized by chapter, students will find links to relevant resources, narrated animations, interactive figures, and prompts to review material and test themselves. The animations show complex processes and relationships unfolding on screen, such as the effects of acid rain, smog formation, and the phosphorus cycle. Narration allows students to focus on what is changing on screen while interactions allow students to explore figures in more depth.This Tenth Edition is a significant, all-encompassing revision providing continuing focus on the basic scientific content necessary to understand environmental issues in clear, straightforward language. It provides the latest developments and reflects several major shifts in environmental science education this century. Designed as a foundational text for environmental science courses, Miller's flexible book is adaptable to almost any approach, and is the most widely embraced approach to environmental science in print. With fair and balanced coverage and Internet tools integrated throughout, the book features an extensively developed art program, writing that communicates scientific information clearly and effectively, and the most current coverage of the subject. The book's flexible organization means that it can be adapted to fit almost any syllabus. Miller's more than 30 years of research and teaching expertise make this the definitive book on the subject.ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE: WORKING WITH THE EARTH, Tenth Edition is a concise alternative to G. Tyler Miller?s best-selling text LIVING IN THE ENVIRONMENT, which redefines the environmental science course and sets the standard by which every other book for this course is judged. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

great seller!
I received the product in the condition stated and in a short time.

New
Environmental Science/Tenth Edition.Excellent condition. No highlighting, torn pages or other marks. Sealed CD (Interactive Concepts in Environmental Science) included with book.

A great text for teaching Environmental Science
I began teaching with Miller's thicker text "living in the environment"but found that the main material was covered by this thinner and less expensive version.The graphics are helpful and the students enjoy reading the material as it is presented in an accessible and applicable fashion.The guest essays and case studies are from some of the top names speaking at conferences and so students are getting some really current views and information.Although there is not much of a lab book or teacher text-- there are plenty of other sources for field work and activity inspiration.The students also liked the website for activities and practice problems.

Excellent from multiple excellent thoughts ...
Thyler Miller's books (I have 5 of them) are always the source of inspiration for me. I started reading his book when I took my Environmental Health Class for my Master of Public Helath Program.

The contents are clear, concise, correct, courtesy and full with critical thouught that has facilitated my curiosity to know more and more ....

Santa-Fe-Red

explains issues like population growth and global warming
Miller stresses the intricate interrelationships with the Earth's environment. Vital issues like population growth and its impact on the environment are gone into. Here, there is perhaps cautious optimism. But only if we as a species moderate our growth rate (maybe even turn it negative!) and resource consumption.

There is a natural flow from this issue to a discussion about global warming. The scientific basis for concern is explained, and the evidence for warming presented. While not absolutely conclusive, it is seen as very strong. In fact, in the 5 years since the book came out, even more evidence has appeared to indicate a continuing and possibly accelerating trend. Miller also suggests several ways that global warming might be slowed. ... Read more

Book Description
The Good Earth (TGE) is the product of collaboration between the content rigor provided by Earth Science specialists (McConnell, Park, Steer) and the results of research on learning as contributed by pedagogical experts (Knight, Owens). TGE has been explicitly designed to be compatible with inquiry-based, active learning in the college classroom. The structural elements of this text will allow the instructor to incorporate these student-centered teaching methods into their Earth Science course. The authors have tested the book’s content and pedagogy in large Earth Science classes for non-majors that are populated with mostly freshmen. Their experiences show that the materials and methods in TGE can improve students’ learning, increase daily attendance, reduce attrition, and increase students’ enthusiasm in comparison with classes taught following a traditional lecture format.

The authors have chosen to emphasize three scientific themes throughout the text: i) scientific literacy; ii) Earth Science and the human experience; and, iii) the science of global change. The discussion of scientific methods is woven into the text throughout. They have included numerous examples of human interaction with the Earth that can serve as entry points for students to appreciate the nature of science. Global change is a theme that is evident in much current Earth Science research so our authors have used global change as a content theme throughout the book. ... Read more

Book Description
Earth Science: Understanding Environmental Systems is intended for introductory courses in Earth Science and Earth Systems Science, which place emphasis on the systems approach to earth science with special attention to the impact these systems have on the environment.It is appropriate for non-science majors with no previous college science or mathematics courses.

The primary goals of this book are to provide the background the general student needs to understand the way Earth works, how knowledge of Earth relates to the environmental issues confronting our society, and how scientists go about examining these issues. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (5)

The Earth Machine : The Science of a Dynamic Planet
The book's quality is good for me.

Geology is soooooooo boring!
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.

A Sound Introduction to the Dynamics of Earth History
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.

Highly recommended for in-depth collections
The Earth Machine: The Science of a Dynamic Planet covers the science of geology, is the collaborative work of, written by two curators, Edmond Mathez and James Webster ( one of mineral deposits and the other of petrology) and is recommended for college-level collections where geology and science are strong parts of the curriculum. Full-color photos inspired by the Hall of Planet Earth at New York's American Museum of Natural History document the evolution of the planet in a guide highly recommended for in-depth collections.

This is THE book for general reading . . .
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. ... Read more

Book Description
Over the last decade, the study of cycles as a model for the earth's changing climate has become a new science. Earth Systems Science is the basis for understanding all aspects of anthropogenic global change, such as chemically forced global climate change. The work is aimed at those students interested in the emerging scientific discipline.
Earth Systems Science is an integrated discipline that has been rapidly developing over the last two decades. New information is included in this updated edition so that the text remains relevant.
This volume contains five new chapters, but of special importance is the inclusion of an expanded set of student exercises.
The two senior authors are leading scientists in their fields and have been awarded numerous prizes for their research efforts.

* First edition was widely adopted
* Authors are highly respected in their field
* Global climate change, integral to the book, is now one of the most important issues in atmospheric sciences and oceanography ... Read more

Book Description
Christian Kids Explore Earth and Space breaks our universeinto manageable bites, offering units about Earth and its structure, thelithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and weather, as well as a unitinvestigating the universe and its components. The 24 lessons and six unitreviews present the material in an easy-to-teach manner. Students areencouraged to keep a science notebook as they learn. Hands-on activitiesinclude building a model of Earth and its layers, using eggs to understandplate tectonics, and simulating a volcanic eruption. Christian Kids ExploreEarth and Space guides your journey as you dive into the wonder of ouruniverse. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Super Resource for Teaching Earth and Space
This is a super resource for teaching Earth and Space topics to your children from younger to older elementary ages.I have found this book highly valuable in teaching my first grader, but I know I will use it again when he is older.The author has laid out simple plans with many choices for reinforcement activities.My son has loved all the hands-on activities and it is wonderful to hear him remembering the facts from week to week.I love this book!I can't wait to use the author's Biology and Chemistry books in a few years! ... Read more