------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: cain@geomag.gly.fsu.edu (Joe Cain)
Subject: Re: looking for a good text book
Date: 7 Mar 1994 21:43:40 GMT
Organization: Florida State University Geology Dept.

      Following are the primary references I list for the students in my
beginning planetary geology course for non-scientists. I published a
letter in the November 11, 1992 issue of EOS, Transactions of the
American Geophysical Union, on the status of texts at that time. Since
then I have added the Lang and Whitney book listed below and will also
add

Consolmagno, G. J, and M. W. Shaefer, "World's Apart", which is supposed
      to appear this spring from Prentice Hall.

      I understand that Morrison and Owen's "The Planetary System" will
be coming out with significant revisions sometime this year. 

      There is also another new astronomy text that contains some very
useful updates and an unusual amount of planetary science. It is:

Kahler, J. B., "Astronomy", Harper Collins, 1994.

      You should review these references to see what you like best. All
have some merit, though the planetary sections of the astronomy texts
have only abbreviated versions of the solar system material. I used
Hamblin and Christiansen in my first course offering in 1991, but found
that only the geology students who wandered into the class liked it's
geologic detail. Since then I have used Wagner, though it is pretty thin
in some areas. If your interest is geology, either Hamblin &
Christiansen, or Greeley will feel good to you. I had spoken with Ron
Greeley some time ago and understood that his would be revised, but have
not seen any announcement of this. If anyone on the net knows I would
appreciate the information.

      If you are into planetary science at a higher level, you should try
to find the one by Consolmagno and Schaefer. Hartmann's is also very good. 

      Anyone interested in this subject should have a paperback copy of
"The New Solar System" especially since it is pretty cheap in that form.
I have heard also that a new revision is being contemplated.

      If there are other texts or pertinent references I have missed, I
would also like to hear of them.

References:

Abell, G. O., D. Morrison, and S. C. Wolff, Exploration of the Universe,
      Saunders College Publ., QB45.A16 1991.
Baugher, Joseph F., The Space Age Solar System, John Wiley,
      QB501.B38 1988.
Beatty, J. K. and A. Chaikin, The New Solar System, Sky & Cambridge
      Publ., QB501 .N47 1990.
Carr, M. H., R. S. Saunders, R. G. Strom, and D. E. Wilhelms, The geology
      of the Terrestrial Planets, NASA SP-469, QB601.T47 1984.
Cox, P. A., The Elements, Oxford, QD466.C875 1989.
Greeley, R., Planetary Landscapes, Allen & Unwin, QB603.S95 G74 1985.
Hartmann, W. K., Moons and Planets: an introduction to planetary science,
      Wadsworth, QB601.H34 1993.
Hamblin, W. K., and E. H. Christiansen, Exploring the Planets, Macmillan,
      QB603.G46 H36 1990. 
Lang, K. R., and C. Whitney, Wanderers in Space, Cambridge Univ. Press,
      QB501.L26 1991.
Morrison, D., and T. Owen, The Planetary System, Addison-Wesley,
      QB601.M76 1987.
Wagner, Jeffrey, Introduction to the Solar System, Saunders College
      Publ., 1991.
 
Joseph Cain             cain@geomag.gly.fsu.edu   
cain@fsu.bitnet         scri::cain
(904) 644-4014          FAX (904) 644-4214 or -0098
------------------------------------------------------------------------------