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Fluvial Geomorphology of Great Britain. K.J. Gregory (Ed.). Chapman & Hall, London, 1998. 352 pp. Price US$209.95. ISBN 0-412-78930-2.
Book reÕiews
FluÕial Geomorphology of Great Britain. K.J. Gregory ŽEd... Chapman & Hall, London, 1998. 352 pp. Price US$209.95. ISBN 0-412-78930-2. The study of geomorphology is usually represented in two manners with respect to literary sources. Journal articles are typically descriptions of geographically small areas of particular geomorphological interest. Books are broader in nature and use descriptions of individual locations as examples of geomorphological principles for a region. The book, FluÕial Geomorphology of Great Britain, provides a combination of both approaches. General ideas are presented in the introduction of each chapter and are followed by 11 to 29 specific descriptions of interesting sites. The book is divided into five chapters, each of which describes the fluvial geomorphology of a different region in Great Britain – Scotland, Wales, northwest England, northeast England and southern England. Introductions to each chapter are insightful and well written, and they provide a strong foundation for the subsequent site-specific descriptions. Readers who are not familiar with British geomorphology will find the chapter introductions especially interesting. The descriptions of individual sites are usually three to four pages in length and have sections titled: Highlights, Introduction, Description, Interpretation and Conclusion. All site descriptions are supplemented with maps and many have pictures. Geomorphology studies are often focused on areas with anomalous characteristics, but this book instead tries to present a broad cross-section of representative sites as well as sites of special interest. Even though the book deals exclusively with the fluvial geomorphology of Great Britain, geomorphologists are not the intended audience. The Geological Conservation Review ŽGCR. of Great Britain has identified a number of locations for possible designation as Sites of Special Scientific Interest ŽSSSIs.. Sites that are representative of the fluvial geomorphology of Great Britain, and of historical importance, are showcased for the purpose of influencing decision-makers for special designation and legal protection; at this level, the book is essentially a propaganda tool. In fact, this book is one of 42 in a series describing the current scientific status of Great Britain. If the reader can accept the premise of this
197
inherent bias, then the book becomes an interesting avenue for learning about the fluvial geomorphology of Great Britain. The non-scientific nature of the book leads one to believe that geomorphologists will have little use for it, but this is not the case. Gregory states that the book is not designed for use as a field guide because of the generalized descriptions presented. I disagree with this premise because the very nature of presenting representative sites makes the book an ideal field guide. An entire page is devoted to readers who may wish to visit the sites, but may not realize that most are located on private property. An unresolved issue is defining who wants these sites to be preserved; is it the landowners, the academic community or the government? The presentation of the book is excellent. At first glance, the book takes on the appearance of a university textbook in terms of size and organization. Maps are well designed and the photographs highlight significant features of the sites. However, pictures are only included in approximately half of the site descriptions, leaving the others with only a cartographic representation. Researchers from five universities Žone university per chapter. actually collected the data and summarized the descriptions for the sites. The editors have eliminated virtually all of the errors common to first edition books and the flow of the book makes for easy reading. The book has a dichotomy of uses — research and education. Having a basic understanding of representative sites and processes within a region can only benefit a research project. If, for example, certain glacial processes are overlooked when assessing the fluvial geomorphology of a site, then an incomplete or incorrect assessment of that site will result. A more common placement of this book will likely be on a table or nightstand. The general and visual nature of the book, as well as the relatively short length of the site descriptions lends itself to casual reading. A different title might be ‘‘National Geomorphic’’ given the broad nature of the descriptions. Even with the popular nature of this book, it is still an academic product. Numerous references are cited in the introductions and descriptions, and suggestions for further research are given throughout. In summary, buy this book if you are interested in the fluvial geomorphology of Great Britain. The
198
Book reÕiews
combination of regional overviews and site-specific descriptions provide the reader with a basic understanding and a solid foundation for knowing and learning about these places. If you are not a geomorphologist, do not be intimidated by the subject matter. A glossary at the end of the text helps in deciphering the few technical words. Anyone with a basic understanding of geographic or geologic con-
cepts will understand most of the terms and concepts presented in this text. Brian Brettschneider Department of Geography, Southwest Texas State UniÕersity, San Marcos, TX 78666-4616, USA PII: S 0 1 6 9 - 5 5 5 X Ž 9 9 . 0 0 0 6 7 - 7
FluÕial Geomorphology of Great Britain. K.J. Gregory ŽEd... Chapman & Hall, London, 1998. 352 pp. Price US$209.95. ISBN 0-412-78930-2. The study of geomorphology is usually represented in two manners with respect to literary sources. Journal articles are typically descriptions of geographically small areas of particular geomorphological interest. Books are broader in nature and use descriptions of individual locations as examples of geomorphological principles for a region. The book, FluÕial Geomorphology of Great Britain, provides a combination of both approaches. General ideas are presented in the introduction of each chapter and are followed by 11 to 29 specific descriptions of interesting sites. The book is divided into five chapters, each of which describes the fluvial geomorphology of a different region in Great Britain – Scotland, Wales, northwest England, northeast England and southern England. Introductions to each chapter are insightful and well written, and they provide a strong foundation for the subsequent site-specific descriptions. Readers who are not familiar with British geomorphology will find the chapter introductions especially interesting. The descriptions of individual sites are usually three to four pages in length and have sections titled: Highlights, Introduction, Description, Interpretation and Conclusion. All site descriptions are supplemented with maps and many have pictures. Geomorphology studies are often focused on areas with anomalous characteristics, but this book instead tries to present a broad cross-section of representative sites as well as sites of special interest. Even though the book deals exclusively with the fluvial geomorphology of Great Britain, geomorphologists are not the intended audience. The Geological Conservation Review ŽGCR. of Great Britain has identified a number of locations for possible designation as Sites of Special Scientific Interest ŽSSSIs.. Sites that are representative of the fluvial geomorphology of Great Britain, and of historical importance, are showcased for the purpose of influencing decision-makers for special designation and legal protection; at this level, the book is essentially a propaganda tool. In fact, this book is one of 42 in a series describing the current scientific status of Great Britain. If the reader can accept the premise of this
197
inherent bias, then the book becomes an interesting avenue for learning about the fluvial geomorphology of Great Britain. The non-scientific nature of the book leads one to believe that geomorphologists will have little use for it, but this is not the case. Gregory states that the book is not designed for use as a field guide because of the generalized descriptions presented. I disagree with this premise because the very nature of presenting representative sites makes the book an ideal field guide. An entire page is devoted to readers who may wish to visit the sites, but may not realize that most are located on private property. An unresolved issue is defining who wants these sites to be preserved; is it the landowners, the academic community or the government? The presentation of the book is excellent. At first glance, the book takes on the appearance of a university textbook in terms of size and organization. Maps are well designed and the photographs highlight significant features of the sites. However, pictures are only included in approximately half of the site descriptions, leaving the others with only a cartographic representation. Researchers from five universities Žone university per chapter. actually collected the data and summarized the descriptions for the sites. The editors have eliminated virtually all of the errors common to first edition books and the flow of the book makes for easy reading. The book has a dichotomy of uses — research and education. Having a basic understanding of representative sites and processes within a region can only benefit a research project. If, for example, certain glacial processes are overlooked when assessing the fluvial geomorphology of a site, then an incomplete or incorrect assessment of that site will result. A more common placement of this book will likely be on a table or nightstand. The general and visual nature of the book, as well as the relatively short length of the site descriptions lends itself to casual reading. A different title might be ‘‘National Geomorphic’’ given the broad nature of the descriptions. Even with the popular nature of this book, it is still an academic product. Numerous references are cited in the introductions and descriptions, and suggestions for further research are given throughout. In summary, buy this book if you are interested in the fluvial geomorphology of Great Britain. The
198
Book reÕiews
combination of regional overviews and site-specific descriptions provide the reader with a basic understanding and a solid foundation for knowing and learning about these places. If you are not a geomorphologist, do not be intimidated by the subject matter. A glossary at the end of the text helps in deciphering the few technical words. Anyone with a basic understanding of geographic or geologic con-
cepts will understand most of the terms and concepts presented in this text. Brian Brettschneider Department of Geography, Southwest Texas State UniÕersity, San Marcos, TX 78666-4616, USA PII: S 0 1 6 9 - 5 5 5 X Ž 9 9 . 0 0 0 6 7 - 7