Basic book on Earth Sciences or Geology (degree, high school, best)
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Would a Geology student or an Earth Science student perhaps know a basic starter book for a high school student who thinks Earth Science would be interesting field of study? Every article he sees about Earth's history grabs his attention. I have explained that this is a broad field and he'd eventually narrow down to his favourite. But he first needs the basics. He is going into this rather "blind".
If not a particular book, perhaps a good author who writes well for the high school level student. Then we could turn to a book store for further search. Thanks.
Would a Geology student or an Earth Science student perhaps know a basic starter book for a high school student who thinks Earth Science would be interesting field of study? Every article he sees about Earth's history grabs his attention. I have explained that this is a broad field and he'd eventually narrow down to his favourite. But he first needs the basics. He is going into this rather "blind".
If not a particular book, perhaps a good author who writes well for the high school level student. Then we could turn to a book store for further search. Thanks.
When I started college the best book of general Geology was "Understanding Earth". It covers all the basic subjects: Sedimentology, tipes of rocks, rock-forming minerals and the main process of rock formation. Your student can surely start with this book.
When I started college the best book of general Geology was "Understanding Earth". It covers all the basic subjects: Sedimentology, tipes of rocks, rock-forming minerals and the main process of rock formation. Your student can surely start with this book.
This sounds like one good one. However, doesn't Earth Science cover a bit more - like development of plant and animal life? Or, am I confused? I do realize that would be a general coverage, not a lot of detail since Earth Science is such a broad topic. Just wondering if such a book exists. Meanwhile, we shall look for "Understanding Earth".
Well, I've always treated Earth Science as "Rocky Earth" Science... But the development of plant and animal life is covered in Geology too. I don't know about newest editions of "Understanding Earth", but all the geological processes related to the development of the planet as we know it, including basic Biology, were discussed there.
I can also recommend two great books: "An Introduction to Earth-Life System", by Charles Cockell, which is a broad explanation of the history of the planet (a friend of mine is currently completely in love with it), and "Evolution: The Triumph Of An Idea", by Carl Zimmer. The first part of the course of Evolutionary Biology I took as a freshman was based on this last book. Those remain as the best classes ever. I made my father read it so I could discuss with him the things we debated in class. It's a lovely book. Both are literature books, not academic (probably your student will read them in a couple of weeks) and the best about them is that they don't carry misconceptions on scientific matters, so they can be a safe beginning to someone who wants to study Earth Science in the future.
Well, I've always treated Earth Science as "Rocky Earth" Science... But the development of plant and animal life is covered in Geology too. I don't know about newest editions of "Understanding Earth", but all the geological processes related to the development of the planet as we know it, including basic Biology, were discussed there.
I can also recommend two great books: "An Introduction to Earth-Life System", by Charles Cockell, which is a broad explanation of the history of the planet (a friend of mine is currently completely in love with it), and "Evolution: The Triumph Of An Idea", by Carl Zimmer. The first part of the course of Evolutionary Biology I took as a freshman was based on this last book. Those remain as the best classes ever. I made my father read it so I could discuss with him the things we debated in class. It's a lovely book. Both are literature books, not academic (probably your student will read them in a couple of weeks) and the best about them is that they don't carry misconceptions on scientific matters, so they can be a safe beginning to someone who wants to study Earth Science in the future.
Thank you again. We'll check them all and he can make his own choice.
I have the same one that I used in an intro Earth Science course. Even though it is aimed at the college crowd, it is very well written and easy to understand, especially for someone with a desire to learn the subject.
I'm currently in school studying for a geology degree with a focus on the environmental side. Any earth science field would provide good career opportunities for him.
This sounds like one good one. However, doesn't Earth Science cover a bit more - like development of plant and animal life? Or, am I confused? I do realize that would be a general coverage, not a lot of detail since Earth Science is such a broad topic. Just wondering if such a book exists. Meanwhile, we shall look for "Understanding Earth".
"Earth science is the name for all the sciences that collectively seek to understand the Earth and its neighbors in space. It includes geology, oceanography, meteorology and astronomy."
That is taken right from the beginning of the textbook I recommended above.
Earth science doesn't really deal with plant and animal life (that's biology's thing) except on a very tangent level.
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