Buck Books

I detest panning books on Earth Science, but I must be honest. This is categorically the worst book on volcanoes that I have ever seen, and I've read quite a few.

Let's begin by looking at the back cover. There is NO volcano named "Le Soulfriere" on St. Vincent, although there is a "La Soufriere". No volcano named "El Chicon" erupted in Mexico in 1981, although there was a 1982 eruption of "El Chichon" in Mexico. As can be seen, one does not even need to open the book to be confronted with a plethora of serious, inexcusable typographical errors. These result in a good deal of misinformation being disseminated.

The pictures and drawings in the book are of low quality, and frequently so vague as to be nearly useless in portraying what is discussed. Again, I must question the publisher, and the author, as to these faults.

So far as the text is concerned, the author's theories as to global warming do not take into account the nature and chemistry of the greenhouse gas process. As a consequence, the conclusions drawn are askance with any reputable scientific analysis of this issue. It appears that the author started with a premise, and that he then committed the all too frequent error of true believers by bending and omitting facts to support his premise.

As with the back cover, the text is not well punctuated, leading once more to awkward constructions and flawed misinformation. I do not believe a proofreader was ever used, despite the claims in the book.

Summarizing, this book is not a worthwhile read for one interested in volcanoes or earth science in general. My only recommendation is that it be left on the sales shelf, where it belongs. Do not waste your money on this poorly written, abysmally-proofed book.

I have NOT received my purchase....however, notice that I HAVE already paid for it...