Product Description

Customer Reviews (5)

Purchased the book for an Oceanography class
I found the book to be very informative and contemporary.It has great examples used to explain the different concepts being studied.It would make a good book to have for your own library.

Fun to Read
Great book that is both informative and fun to read.Easy to understand and written with a layman's perspective.Great sidebars titled "Students Sometimes Ask" questions and answers.Good pictures and graphs to support the text.Not like other science textbooks...I really enjoyed this book.

Good job
Product arrived on time and in condition described. Will use again if possible. Thank you!

Needed it for school and was a great price!!
I needed to get this book for my class and AMAZON had the best price!! Thanks again!!!

Oceanography written in a style both engaging and scholarly.
Whether you are a serious student of oceanography or, like me, a curious inquirer, you are going to love this book.In fact, once I began reading, it was difficult to close the cover!This book could easily be subtitled "Adventure in the High Seas."Rarely have I read a textbook thatcombines an engaging style with a scholarly approach that leaves me feelingboth truly informed and amazed.I discovered all kinds of interestingfacts and theories (deepest part of the world's oceans - the ChallengerDeep, part of the Mariana Trench, at 36,163 feet), geological history (theocean is 4 billion years old yet the oldest ocean floor is only 180 millionyears old), and astronomical physics (the moon has over two times thetide-generating effect as the sun though it is much smaller).

Fromhelpful hints on serious subjects such as how to escape rip currents tofunny stories about plastic bathtub toys (ducks, turtles and frogs) thatwere lost overboard from a container ship and provided valuable scientificdata on ocean currents, I found it all fascinating.The book includesgenerous amounts of color graphics showing beautiful underwater scenery andmarine life as well as colorful maps and aerial photos (for instance, theimage depicting wave effects on the shoreline).Each chapter ends withexercises, extensive references, suggested additional reading andrecommended web sites to visit.Though the glossary is extensive, Iparticularly liked the use of the short word derivations that appearfrequently throughout the text such as Bathyscaphe (bathos=depth, scaphe=asmall ship), thus saving numerous trips to the dictionary.

The book iswritten as a college-level text for first year oceanography students. Instructors will find an impressive instructional package available fromthe publisher that includes such things as slides, transparencies, acompanion web site reference and an instructor's manual.Read this bookand you will agree that it is clearly a five star work. ... Read more

Product Description
The ocean affects all aspects of our lives, and Tom Garrison will show you how in the new Seventh Edition of OCEANOGRAPHY: AN INVITATION TO MARINE SCIENCE. Garrison takes you on a vivid exploration of the ocean?from submarine canyons to zooplankton, global warming, the growing plastics problem, and our changing coastlines?and explains oceanography's most important concepts. Garrison's engaging, reader-friendly approach helps you understand the complexities involved in how we study and use the ocean. You'll explore topics like Hurricane Katrina; the devastating December 2004 earthquake in the Indian Ocean and the resulting tsunami; the moon and its connection to the ocean; the power of the ocean to influence weather; and uses and abuses of the ocean. Gain an understanding of the wonders of the sea and the scientific questions that surround it with this enjoyable, fascinating book! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Perfect!
I received the product very quickly - much faster than I had initially anticipated which was wonderful, considering the fact that this was for a class I was already starting to attend.

Great trustworthy seller!
Very honest and trustworthy seller! Very fast shipping. The book I purchased was exactly as described. I will definetly by more from this seller and recommend him to my friends!

Concise and Precise
This book is able to do something extremely difficult. It brings not only the basics of a comprehensive area but it goes further. All this accompanied of amazing illustrations, pictures and an easy to understand writing. The book is ideal for those who need to be introduced to the oceanography and the ones who want to evolve their knowledge about the ocean as a hole, because even biology, chemistry and physics being separate areas of expertise they are not apart in the environment.

Oceanography is fun
I bought this book for my Oceanography class and compared to other Oceanography texts I've come across, this book is definitely more concise and better organized.

Everyhting you need to know as an intro to marine science
This book is very well laid out.I am a teacher and would absolutely recommend this as an intro textbook to marine science.It contains all that you would need to know.great as a first year colledge text or even an advanced high school textbook. ... Read more

Product Description
The fifth edition of ESSENTIALS OF OCEANOGRAPHY conveys Garrison's enthusiasm for oceanography to non-science students taking the introductory course. It is a streamlined version of his bestselling OCEANOGRAPHY text, but was created specifically to meet the needs of the shorter course. This text provides a basic understanding of the scientific questions, complexities, and uncertainties involved in ocean use, and the role and importance of oceans in nurturing and sustaining life on the planet. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Great Service
I got my book quickly and it was in excellent condition. Well worth the money.

Not a science-minded person? This book's for you.
Fantastic, easy-to-understand book jam-packed with photos and illustrations to bring concepts to life for people like myself who aren't science-minded at all. The author speaks in layman's terms and uses a lot of analogies that work perfectly. Some of my college texts are so hard to understand that I don't even bother trying to read them after a few pages in. This book, however, made me feel extremely able to understand concepts and also extremely able to retain them. A+ for Garrison's oceanography book.

Very Informative
The book was organized well, easy to read and contained a lot of interesting information.A great intro to Oceanography text.I used it in a short-term telecourse and it was invaluable.

lovely illustrations
Let me say right away that this book is rather abbreviated. If you really are intently interested in oceanography, try Garrison's full text. But this Essentials text will convey enough of the field to let you decide if oceanography is a pursuit foryou.

The treatment is roughly at a freshman level in university, or perhaps for an advanced high school course. Some prior knowledge of chemisty and physics is assumed, in order for there to be any intelligent discussion of many aspects of oceanography.

The text also is well illustrated. The subject is one that readily lends itself to many photogenic shots. While this may sound frivolous to some, to others it has always been one of the attractions of oceanography. There are indeed some lovely photos scattered through the book. ... Read more

Product Description
This college-level text offers an expansive look at our oceans and all life within them. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Entertaining book
This Book has really nice and good graphics.They help you understand all the terms being discussed.Even though sometimes it is a little boring to read, you learn the concepts and ideas because of the excellent ways they present them.I would absolutely recommend to buy this book. ... Read more

Product Description
'Introductory Dynamical Oceanography' 2nd ed provides an introduction to Dynamical Physical Oceanography at a level suitable for senior year undergraduate students in the sciences and for graduate students entering oceanography. It aims to present the basic objectives, procedures and successes and to state some of the present limitations of dynamical oceanography and its relations to descriptive physical oceanography.

The first edition has been thoroughly revised and updated and the new work includes reference to the Practical Salinity Scale 1978, the International Equation of State 1980 and the beta-spiral technique for calculating absolute currents from the density distribution. In addition the description of mixed-layer models has been updated and the chapters on Waves and on Tides have been substantially revised and enlarged, with emphasis on internal waves in the Waves chapter. While the text is self-contained readers are recommended to acquaint themselves with the general aspects of descriptive (synoptic) oceanography in order to be aware of the character of the ocean which the dynamical oceanographer is attempting to explain by referring to Pickard and Emery's 'Descriptive Physical Oceanography' 4th edition. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Dynamics 102:Meshes Well with Descriptive 101
Pickard & Pond (1983) is a textbook suitable for use in college courses for upper division undergraduate and beginning graduate students.It serves well as the second textbook on dynamics in a two-course sequence with description first, then dynamics.It also is suitable as a stand-alone textbook for a first introduction to dynamic physical oceanography.Its existence in print for 26 years is a measure of how well its authors have worked out explanations and weeded out errors.

Single-course introductions to physical oceanography need textbooks like Knauss (2005) with a mix of descriptive and dynamic approaches.Because it avoids descriptive approaches, Pickard & Pond (1983) does not compete with Knauss (2005).Pickard & Pond (1983) based on dynamics also does not compete with Pickard and Emery (1990) based on description.

Some users might believe that Pickard & Pond (1983) competes directly with Mellor (2008).Others might believe that Mellor (2008) has some material on the level of Pickard & Pond (1983) and some on the next level upward.

To compare Pickard & Pond (1983) with other physical oceanography textbooks, see my reviews of Introduction to Physical Oceanography by Knauss (2005), Introduction to Physical Oceanography by Mellor (2008) and Descriptive Physical Oceanography by Pickard and Emery (1990).
... Read more

Product Description
"Physical oceanography" encompasses a broad range of subjects, from heat transfer to sound and optics. Knauss brings all these disparate fields together in this comprehensive text. He strikes a balance between purely descriptive texts and mathematically rigorous ones, assuming readers only have knowledge of elementary calculus and physics. This results in a straightforward, readable book that makes the material accessible both to readers specializing in physical oceanography and those from other disciplines who need to understand the fundamental principles of physical oceanography. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Versatile for a One-Shot Course for Students with Wildly Different Backgrounds
Knauss (2005) is a textbook suitable for use in college courses for upper division undergraduate and beginning graduate students.In an oversimplified way, two ways exist for directing an introduction to physical oceanography course.One approach uses two courses, with the first one descriptive and the second based on dynamics.

Using this approach, students with backgrounds in any field can take the first course, with those having backgrounds in mathematics, physics or engineering taking the second one.

Knauss (2005) does not fit in this two-step approach.It is short on description for a semester-long course and short on dynamics for a course of the same length.Because Knauss (2005) does not fit in the two-step approach, criticizing Knauss (2005) for its weakness in either description or dynamics has little meaning.

A second way of teaching an introduction to physical oceanography brings students with backgrounds in physics, chemistry, geology or biology together in a single course.Knauss (2005) does fit in this single-step approach.It allows students using it to step into dynamics in an easy and graceful way.It also has enough description to allow students to understand why we need dynamics to explain what description reveals.A disappointing side of Knauss (2005) is its lack of a chapter on the history of physical oceanography.While other branches of science took centuries to develop, physical oceanography went from nothing in 1893 to part of modern science in 1914, an interval of just 21 years!

To compare Knauss (2005) with other physical oceanography textbooks, see my reviews of Introduction to Physical Oceanography by Mellor (2008), Descriptive Physical Oceanography by Pickard and Emery (1990) and Introductory Dynamical Oceanography, Second Edition by Pickard and Pond (1983).

Great inro into a complex subject.
This intro to physical oceanography is both approachable and easy-to-read, just like a good intro should be. I would recommend this text to anyone who wants to learn more about what drives ocean circulation. Potential readers should be beware that physical oceanography is, at its core, a quantitative science and this text reflects this. If you really want to follow the text, be prepared to break out your calculus book, a pencil and some paper.

Gentle intro to PO
This book is really a "Gentle Intro to PO".The material is well organized and coherently presented.The book, however, is really a survey of PO rather than a solid introductory text (which doesn't really exist, btw); suitable for non-quantitative or non-physics oriented reader.With this book Dr. Knauss makes PO accessible to a wider audience,... which has never been done before!

Great book!!
The book came on time and its a good book and is helping me in my course.

Knauss Review
Very informative and easy to read.

Knauss includes mathematical formula derivation if you need more of a challenge, but also includes simple explanations of many physical processes within the ocean.

Great for both beginners and the more-experienced oceanographers out there!

Shame it's so hard to get hold of (out of print in UK). ... Read more

Product Description
The 10th edition of this popular book continues to provide an excellent foundation in science by examining the vast body of oceanic knowledge. Spanning the disciplines of geology, chemistry, physics, and biology, it allows readers to have a fundamental understanding of how oceans work. Interwoven within the book are hundreds of photographs, illustrations, real-world examples, and applications that make the material relevant, accessible, and entertaining.Well-organized and clearly written, this book covers scientific inquiry and gives an historical look at the study of oceanography; the origins of life, the earth, and the oceans; plate tectonics; marine provinces; marine sediments; water and seawater; air-sea interaction; ocean circulation; waves, tides, and coastlines; biological productivity and the marine habitat; marine resources; and environmental concerns.This book is intended to help readers in their quest to find out more about oceans. Because of its comprehensive scope and excellent resource materials, it can also serve as an excellent reference work for those involved in oceanography. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Fairly good...
The only reason I hesitate to give four stars is that I remember this item listed as being in "very good" shape, which it really isn't. The cover looks like it was folded backwords on a diagonal. However, the inside is perfect, which is really the only part that matters. The only problem I have with Amazon in general is the fact that you can't go back to see what quality your book was listed in, and I honestly am not sure if the book was REALLY listed in "very good" shape. So, I give them a high rating, because everything else was FLAWLESS in the process, and the delivery was prompt and with quality. Thanks guys! Recommended (I think) :)

Excellent Review of Introductory Oceanography
The content is well-written with beautiful illustrations and diagrams. I recommend this textbook to any one who is taking an introductory oceanography course. It is very useful for reference as well as minimal research.

overillustrated, overpriced
Might there be an economic incentive for textbook to be in its tenth edition?Probably 20% of the illustrations are unncesessary.Photographs of pretty girls pulling up a bucket of water and scientists are a waste of ink, the reader's time and money.Dimensions are always given in metric, followed by the English equivalent.Imagine a chemistry textbook giving molecular weights in grams followed by pounds in parentheses.The authors are gushingly emotional and 100% poltically correct about climate change, overfishing and the adverse effects of agricultural runoff (never mentioning bemefits). ... Read more

Product Description
Chemical Oceanography, Third Edition, is a survey of essential concepts that contains a wealth of new data and maps, resulting in a more in-depth examination of oceanic biogeochemical processes. The most up-to-date compilation of essential concepts and data available on the subject, this book responds to the need for a thorough, yet straightforward approach to the subject for students, researchers, and other professionals in marine science, geochemistry, and environmental chemistry.

The third edition of Chemical Oceanography incorporates significant findings on the properties of oceans from recent, large-scale oceanographic programs and valuable new data derived from additional experiments. It also discusses the interactions of metals with inorganic and natural organic ligands and the effect of speciation of metals on bioavailability and toxicity. The section on carbonate systems now examines the input of fossil fuel CO₂ into the ocean and its effect on the pH of the world oceans.

Frank J. Millero, a world-renowned marine researcher and professor of undergraduate and graduate courses at the University of Miami for nearly 40 years, presents a time-tested and user-friendly resource specifically designed for both classroom use and self-study. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Marine Chemistry Text
Seller was very prompt with shipping, and product was as described. I recommend this seller, but I recommend that you check with your class/instructor to make sure you need this book for the course, because in my class it was not required, only recommended, and I have not found the book useful.

chemical oceanography
first i think that this one is avery good book, i review in master sciences in unam mexico, is agreat helpfull, but sometimes is confuse, have some text that are not so ease to understand, your book is one of the masimportant in the chemical oceanography, and have to be more easy to learn,the first time that i read this book (the first edition) was in the basicsciences, and was very dificult to my undestand this new knowledge, butanyway i guiyou thakns for this book.

A valuable synthesis on marine chemistry:worth buying
This book contains a wealth of state-of-the art reference data, e.g.thermodynamic constants and other physico-chemical properties, which wouldotherwise be difficult to find together. It is therefore very useful as asource of data for quantitative calculations related to the chemistry ofseawater.

PLUS: - detailed numbers - ion-pair and Pitzer models appliedto seawater (explained with worked examples) - data on carbonate equilibriain seawater- chapter on circulation pattern - chapter on pH measurementof seawater

MINUS: - text style sometimes not concise - numbersfrequently given without references - poor illustration quality ... Read more

Product Description
'Descriptive Physical Oceanography: An Introduction' 5th edition provides an introduction to descriptive (synoptic) physical oceanography for science undergraduates and early graduate students. There has been an updating of topics such as the heat budget, instruments (particularly the use of satellites), a complete revision of the material on equatorial oceanography, sea-ice physics and distribution and El Nino and information has been added on thermohaline circulation, mixing nad coral reef oceanography.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Descriptive 101:Drab but Loaded with Content
Pickard & Emery (1990) is a textbook suitable for use in college courses at any level without prerequisites.It is purely descriptive, without any pretense of touching on dynamics.It excels as the first text in a two-course sequence offering descriptive, then dynamic physical oceanography.

Satellite photographs reveal descriptive physical oceanography as a changing form of modern art.Realizing this might suggest dressing up the humble appearance of Pickard & Emery (1990) with an array of new, large and colorful illustrations.This could be a mistake.It could risk raising the book's price if the present content remains.It also could risk watering down the present content to make room for new illustrations while keeping the price under control.

Anyone who thinks dynamics replaces the Pickard & Emery (1990) approach is wrong.The oceans keep changing all scales of time and space.This suggests needs for monitoring will cause descriptive physical oceanography to always be important.Humans continue to overpopulate two thirds of the world.This speeds up ocean degradation, making monitoring even more important in the future.

Pickard & Emery (1990) excels as a compact reference book independent of courses.Its audience in this role includes anyone interested in ocean water mass characteristics and movements.

I believe Pickard & Emery (1990) misses two opportunities to be more effective.First, it fails to stress evidence (some of it shocking) the oceans are changing and in desperate need of improved monitoring.Second, it fails to direct users to sources of dramatic visual aids for on-screen use or projection.

To compare Pickard & Emery (1990) with other physical oceanography textbooks, see my reviews of Introduction to Physical Oceanography by Knauss (2005), Introduction to Physical Oceanography by Mellor (2008) and Introductory Dynamical Oceanography, Second Edition by Pickard and Pond (1983).

Excellent text book
This text supplements our lab very well, its a great book that will come in handy after class.

good PO text
Good book, however I found its pair Dynamical Oceanography by Pond to be more helpful and informative. ... Read more

Product Description
Data Analysis Methods in Physical Oceanography is a practical reference
guide to established and modern data analysis techniques in earth and ocean
sciences. This second and revised edition is even more comprehensive with numerous updates, and an additional appendix on 'Convolution and Fourier transforms'.

Intended for both students and established scientists, the five
major chapters of the book cover data acquisition and recording, data
processing and presentation, statistical methods and error handling,
analysis of spatial data fields, and time series analysis methods. Chapter 5
on time series analysis is a book in itself, spanning a wide diversity of
topics from stochastic processes and stationarity, coherence functions,
Fourier analysis, tidal harmonic analysis, spectral and cross-spectral
analysis, wavelet and other related methods for processing nonstationary
data series, digital filters, and fractals. The seven appendices include
unit conversions, approximation methods and nondimensional numbers used in
geophysical fluid dynamics, presentations on convolution, statistical
terminology, and distribution functions, anda number of important
statistical tables. Twenty pages are devoted to references.

Featuring:

• An in-depth presentation of modern techniques for the analysis of temporal and spatial data sets collected in oceanography, geophysics, and other disciplines in earth and ocean sciences.

• A detailed overview of oceanographic instrumentation and sensors - old and new - used to collect oceanographic data.

• 7 appendices especially applicable to earth and ocean sciences ranging from conversion of units, through statistical tables, to terminology and non-dimensional parameters.

In praise of the first edition:

"(...)This is a very practical guide to the various statistical analysis methods used for obtaining information from geophysical data, with particular reference to oceanography(...)

The book provides both a text for advanced students of the geophysical sciences and a useful reference volume for researchers." Aslib Book Guide Vol 63, No. 9, 1998

"(...)This is an excellent book that I recommend highly and will definitely use for my own research and teaching." EOS Transactions, D.A. Jay, 1999

"(...)In summary, this book is the most comprehensive and practical source of information on data analysis methods available to the physical oceanographer.The reader gets the benefit of extremely broad coverage and an excellent set of examples drawn from geographical observations." Oceanography, Vol. 12, No. 3, A. Plueddemann, 1999

"(...)Data Analysis Methods in Physical Oceanography is highly recommended for a wide range of readers, from the relative novice to the experienced researcher.It would be appropriate for academic and special libraries." E-Streams, Vol. 2, No. 8, P. Mofjelf, August 1999

... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Great reference for students and practicing professionals in oceanography
This is a must have for all field oceanographers.The material is well organized and clearly presented.Excellent companion for intro data analysis and observational physical oceanography texts.

Highly recommended
In Data Analysis Methods in Physical Oceanography, Emery and Thomson have drawn together a broad range of information on data analysis methods in a single volume. It is an excellent book for the experienced researcher as well as upper level undergraduates and graduate students. It could either serve as a textbook or as a reference handbook. The focus of the book is on application of methods and not just theoretical description. The material is presented in the same fashion that data is approached, from collection to analysis. Particularly useful is that each chapter provides background for the topics presented; setting a context for understanding the material.

The first chapter reviews the basics of statistical sampling and how various oceanographic data elements are collected. It describes in detail the various methods used for collection and their inherent strengths and weakness. The second chapter moves from collecting the data to processing and data presentation; including calibration, interpolation and a variety of presentation formats. The third chapter presents the standard statistical methods and procedures for error handling. The last two chapters cover the range of methods used for spatial and time series analysis of data. This includes not only long established methods but more recent methodologies, such as wavelet transforms, as well.

A bibliography and set of appendices complement the text, making the book an all encompassing reference work. The authors have created an extensive bibliography that enables readers to follow up with more specific readings. The appendices include units in physical oceanography, a glossary of statistical terms, statistical tables, and non-uniform numbers.

Just in time !
We have no similar books in Physical Oceanography.It puts together the description of many useful techniques (including the modern ones) and it also considers pratical aspects of data collection and analysis. The textis easy to follow. The figures are very clear. Useful references are cited.Other geophysical areas can also benefit from it. Do I need to saysomething else ! ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (3)

not well written
The lab book needs an errata.There are too many flaws and is not written to the style of the various subjects covered.

Best of a bad crop
As an oceanography professor I have used this book in the past and unfortunately use it to this day (at least until I develop my own lab book) and it is honestly the best of a bad crop of oceanography lab books.Of all the lab manuals I have looked at, they fall into two categories: too simple or too complex.This one falls into the latter category.Fortunately, there are enough labs that if you skip some labs and a few specific questions I would consider this manual "usable", not great not even good but "usable".If your professor requires this book, get it and photocopy the relevant pages to turn in and then sell the book as complete.You'll get more money back.

Feh
The only reason I got this in all honesty was for my class in Oceanography lab. But the exercises in the book seem to assume that the reader knows more than what the book tells them. Usually a book like this has the answers in the section you read before the exercise, here, that's not the case. You have to find the answers elsewhere. Or make them up and pray the teacher doesn't read it. ... Read more

Product Description
The ocean affects all aspects of our lives--Tom Garrison will show you how in this new edition of OCEANOGRAPHY: AN INVITATION TO MARINE SCIENCE. Garrison takes you on a vivid exploration of the ocean--from submarine canyons to zooplankton, global warming, the growing plastics problem, and our changing coastlines--and explains oceanography's most important concepts. Garrison's friendly approach helps you understand the complexities involved in how we study and use the ocean. You'll explore topics like Hurricane Katrina; the devastating December 2004 earthquake in the Indian Ocean and the resulting tsunami; the Moon and its connection to the ocean; the power of the ocean to influence weather; and uses and abuses of the ocean. Gain an understanding of the wonders of the sea and the scientific questions that surround it with this fascinating text! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great Book!!!
This is a very easy-to-understand book that has many helpful and detailed illustrations, graphs, and neat facts about the ocean and its contents.Great for biology, meteorology, and environmental students! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

There's not a lot of math
I'm having a problem understanding the "scientist" below who skipped the formulas, since they're all extremely simple.Perhaps he's a biologist or works in some other area where math isn't really used, but the math in this book is strictly elementary.It's on the level of high-school physics, and not the AP/Honors type that utilizes calculus, either, since no calculus or differential equations are employed.If you know what a square root of a number and the cosine of an angle are, there will be no problem.

As a physical oceanographer myself, the basic information about the physics of the ocean was old news, to say the least, but I was interested in what the author had to say about applying these principles to sailing and boat-handling.I have to say there is some practical value here, but not as much as I'd hoped.For those without a background in ocean physics, however, it's a valuable reference.

everything and more
Let me be frank... the beautiful cover of this book caught my eye while browsing a bookstore on vacation, but I didn't want to spend the money.

A YEAR LATER, I had the cash, and remembered that this book contained so many topics that I wanted to learn more about.I didn't remember the title, nor the exact bookstore, but I tracked it down.The bookstore owner didn't have the book in stock, but by my description, remembered it, and I subsequently purchased it through Amazon.It's the kind of book you remember.

If you're curious about the greater part of the earth which is covered with water, this book is a must read !I'm slowly working through, cover-to-cover.Ocean currents, winds, and tides... climate, how various sized ships act in various conditions... calculating whether you have time to head to port or better get away from land when the wind starts blowing(how high will the waves get?) -- it's all here.I must confess, I've been glossing over the calculation aspects of wave propagation, but just reached the a-ha! point of why it's all very useful (and the graph is simpler than it looks once you get to the examples).

If you want to better understand the oceans, from the north pole to the south, and all the winds, waves, ice bergs, and currents between, this is your book.The pictures and drawings are what caught my eye.Once you dig into the text (if you have a bit of science/math grounding), you'll find it as enjoyable as the graphics.Even if you don't have much science/math, there are great portions with enjoyable material that doesn't require heavy thought.

Informative and definitely worth the price
Good diagrams, pictures, charts, etc.A picture being worth 1000 words certainly applies here.Enough mathematics for the scientist, for the layman - the text makes perfect sense without the formulas.

A wonderful book, very interesting re: boats and the sea
Oceanography and Seamanship by van Dorn is so full of information that it's hard to know where to start. The book is quite technical, with lots of math, and even as a scientist, I found that I skipped over many of the forumlae, yet still understood the underlying concepts of how boats and the water interact. Very interesting and useful. ... Read more

Product Description
The principles of chemical oceanography provide insight into the processes regulating the marine carbon cycle. The text offers a background in chemical oceanography and a description of how chemical elements in seawater and ocean sediments are used as tracers of physical, biological, chemical and geological processes in the ocean. The first seven chapters present basic topics of thermodynamics, isotope systematics and carbonate chemistry, and explain the influence of life on ocean chemistry and how it has evolved in the recent (glacial-interglacial) past. This is followed by topics essential to understanding the carbon cycle, including organic geochemistry, air-sea gas exchange, diffusion and reaction kinetics, the marine and atmosphere carbon cycle and diagenesis in marine sediments. Figures are available to download from www.cambridge.org/9780521833134.Ideal as a textbook for upper-level undergraduates and graduates in oceanography, environmental chemistry, geochemistry and earth science and a valuable reference for researchers in oceanography. ... Read more

Product Description
This outstanding overview, like its predecessors, introduces readerÕs to the oceanÕs complex systems and their impact on our lives and futures.As an underlying theme, the author explains science as a process of continual inquiry and open testing of ideas. The Seventh Edition reflects the most recent advances and developments in ocean and other earth sciences. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great Product
The book was in better condition than i expected in fact i wouldn't guess it was used until i actually looked FOR the signs of usage
great seller
Highly Recommended
A++++ ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (3)

Fast and Easy
I received what I asked for, the book arrived in less than 10 days, extremely satisfied with this seller. Although the book is loose leaf, I was able to put it in a binder, and for those who purchase loose leaf books in the future, you can also visit your local STAPLES or OFFICE DEPOT/MAX and bind your book. Great price.

Timely arrival
This book came way before it was scheduled to which was great! I like that it was looseleaf to better suit my note taking needs.

Books a la Carte
What the heck?? I got a stack of paper..Granted there were holes punched in it, obviously so I could put in in a binder?? No cover. I have never seen such non-sense. I will never order from you again. I could have bought a USED bound book for less than I paid for a NEW stack of pre-punched, obviously photo copied paper disguised as a book. What a sham! I will not purchase from Amazon again... ... Read more

Product Description
This modern textbook of biological oceanography is aimed at students taking oceanography, marine biology and marine sciences courses. It covers recent developments such as the molecular techniques (including sequence data) that have allowed a re-examination of the ocean's microbial ecology and the role of the various trophic groups in biogeochemical cycling, carbon flow and climate control.

• Major topics covered include phytoplankton bloom, microbial food web, marine biogeography, global climate change and an overview of fisheries oceanography.
  
• Difficult concepts are explained in a straightforward manner, making this book accessible to undergraduates, graduates and researchers alike.
  
• Features a chapter on important numerical models which have become indispensable in biological oceanography.
  
• Further details of key terms and important topics are highlighted in boxes
  
• Models, formulas, methodologies, and techniques are described and explained throughout.

An Instructor manual CD-ROM for this title is available. Please contact our Higher Education team at HigherEducation@wiley.com for more information. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Not bad
Keep in mind that this was required by my class, its descent. Not a lot of pictures or color pictures for the visual learner, but rather all encompassing in terms of the material.

Great Intro to Biological Oceanography
This is a very well organized and well-written Biological Oceanography text.It is good for advanced undergrads or lower level graduate students.It covers the basics in a story-like way that is fun to read, but not so basic as to be boring.I highly recommend it as a reference every oceanographer should have on their shelf, as well as part of a small ensemble of books for teaching Biological Oceanography.

Good overview of the field
Disclaimer: I am a scientist, but only an amateur marine biologist.

I have read several books and many articles on specific aspects of marine biology, but there is no substitute for a good review of the whole field from a practicing scientist and teacher in the field that also has a sense of humor and some perspective.

I highly recommend this book. ... Read more

Product Description
Fundamentals of Oceanography is intended for less intensive college oceanography courses, courses for non-science majors and advanced placement oceanography programs for high school students. To meet the needs of these groups, this text has numerous student aids including chapter learning objectives, section review questions, summary charts, units in metric and English units, chapter summaries, chapter word lists, bold face for technical terms in the text, and reduced use of technical terms. No prerequisites in math, chemistry, physics, or biology are required. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Needed the book and it helped
Without this book I would not have gotten such a good grade. Great book, easy to follow.

Item cheap, quickly shipped, as described
Item was received promptly and as described for a low price. Would do business with seller again. ... Read more

Product Description
Thoroughly updated to include the most recent and fascinating discoveries in oceanography, the Fifth Edition takes great strides to be the most up-to-date, comprehensive, and student-friendly resource available today. Its content continues to span the four major divisions of ocean science geology, chemistry, physics and biology while maintaining the conversational voice for which it is acclaimed. The Fifth Edition boasts many exciting updates, including a new chapter on global climate change that educates students on global warming in the 21st century and its likely impact on ocean systems. With new end-of-chapter questions, new color photographs and illustrations, and an expanded assortment of Selected Readings, Invitation to Oceanography is a must-have in any marine science classroom! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

written all over
this is a lab book that I trusted would have nothing written in or maybe just a little bit.Most of the labs in the book were written in and there are pages ripped out.Unfair purchase because I have to do the labs and hand them in.

oceanography text
Aside from the processing error, I received it fairly quickly in the exact conditions specified. It's a pretty good book for any oceanography product.

A superbly organized and presented textbook
Now in an updated and expanded third edition, Invitation To Oceanography by oceanographer Paul R. Pinet is a superbly organized and presented textbook for advanced students of this fascinating and specialized field of science. An optional student study guide enhances the primary text, which stands well on its own with full-color illustrations, and a wide survey of topics from marine sedimentation to biological productivity in the ocean, coastal habitats, ocean circulation and much more. With laboratory exercises designed by Karl Chauffe and Mark Jefferies which make use of safe, inexpensive, reusable, and readily available materials, Invitation To Oceanography is a very confidently recommended addition to academic reading lists, as well as an excellent curriculum resource for "student friendly" classroom instruction.

Weirdest textbook I ever used
Although Mr. Pinet can explain things very clearly, some of his writing is very strange, especially for a college textbook.At one point, he refers to animals as "critters."At another point, he recommends an experiment of taking your bathtub outside and putting by your pool when the wind is blowing.This book is full of weird little things like that.

Just what I wanted!
Although a college textbook designed for non-majors, "Invitation to Oceanography" contains much information for those interested in the subject. What I especially liked and appreciated the most were theapplication tasks. These are mathematical problems/questions one can useand apply to the ocean on their next trip to the beach. Moreover, theInternet links provided in the book add a great supplement. Educators atthe secondary (high school or college) level will enjoy teaching from thisbook. ... Read more

Product Description
This volume brings focus to the appreciation of and excitement for the complex nature of the ocean and its interactions with other systems. It presents information on global warming, with an emphasis on the interdisciplinary nature of marine science, and an improved illustration programme. ... Read more