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Review - Earth - James F. Luhr (Ed.)

This isn't popular science as we know it, so we're limited to a 3 star score, but that doesn't make it any less a fascinating book.

After some introductory material it is divided into five sections - Planet Earth, Land, Ocean, Atmosphere and Tectonic Earth. The first is more a summary section that includes the earth in space and the anatomy of the planet, while the later sections cover details of the biospheres and the mechanics of the earth's surface.

In the usual Dorling Kindersley fashion it's all richly illustrated (occasionally perhaps over done) and the pages are a mix of articles and mini-reference sections.

It's probable that the sister book Animal works better because that's dealing with a structured subject. not pulling together a set of disciplines linked only by their earthy connection - but this is still an interesting book that sits somewhere between the coffee table and the reference shelf. If the nature of the Earth and its workings interest you, this is likely to be a very attractive book.

If you want more of a popular science, read end-to-end approach, take a look at Richard Fortey's epic The Earth - but if you prefer a book that's strong on illustration, and there are some very impressive pictures here, this is the one for you.

Only in hardback

Reviewed by Peter Spitz

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