"In my 34 years as an academic I have never been nearly as much impressed by a book as I was by this one It is so beautifully and extensively illustrated that it rekindled all my enthusiasm for understanding the natural environment and how it functions The modest title massively understates the worth and content of the book. I have no doubt that it will fast become an internationally acclaimed text not just in Geography Departments, but in Environmental Science Programmes too " it discusses a host of topical major environmental issues, and sets them in context in a clear and understandable way its content will span 3 years of an undergraduate degree programme and beyond" Professor Malcolm Cresser, Environment Department, University of York the most welcome contrast with other introductory texts is the inclusion of a range of contributors within an edited volume, that ensures each section is written by a subject specialist Dr Richard Waller, School of Earth Sciences and Geography, University of Keele "A superb introductory coverage of Physical Geography and allied environmental disciplines. Undergraduates will greatly appreciate the accessibility of the text, with its well-developed structure, informative box features, and extensive website links Richard Michael Johnson, University of Central Lancashire It is well written, up to date and at an appropriate level for first year university students The excellent coverage of hydrology and geomorphology sets it apart from many of its competitors. Material is covered in enough detail that I would expect students to come back to this volume as supporting material for higher level courses" Dr. Martin Evans, School of Geography, University of Manchester "...there's a most interesting section dealing with human interference with sediment patterns adding a useful dimension to this topic." "...dryland systems and desertification covering, in a short space, an impressive randge of ideas from natural and human agents to changes through time." "There are a range of features in each chapter adding up to an impressive presentation." "There's also a companion website with an impressive range of resources from student flashcards to presentations for teachers" "Overall this is a most impressive text. It covers a very wide range of ideas noting not just basic concepts but current techniques making it ideal for the student wishing to take the subject further. Coverage of case studies is truly global and not just keeping to one area" "...thorough and detailed with more sophisticated explanation which would make it ideal for the good senior student, educator and undergraduate (where it deserves to ben seen as one of the key introductory texts)" Dr Paul S Ganderton, the Teaching Ecology Group's Book Review Editor http://users.bigpond.net.au/paul_ganderton/index.htm "Its coverage of topics is perhaps the widest of the four books. I am also impressed by the placement of the acknowledgements at the front, along with detailed further reading in each chapter." "There is a nice introduction to Quarternary change." "This book is my favourite of those under review." James Casford - Durham University Times Higher Education Supplement. May 27 2005, p.XXI
