550. Books on Earth sciences

Further Reading:

553.  Books on economic geology

Joel E. Arem Color Encyclopedia of Gemstones, Second Edition, 1987.

Joel E. Arem’s one-volume reference would make a valuable resource for anyone interested in gemstones.

557. Books on the Earth sciences of North America

John McPhee Annals of the Former World, 1999.

John McPhee’s geology survey explores the North American continent from 4.6 billion years ago through the present. This volume won the Pulitzer Prize in 1999.

John McPhee Rising from the Plains, 1987.

While relaying the story of a geologist from Wyoming, John McPhee interweaves the history of the Rocky Mountain high-country, from the rise of the mountains from a flat plain and how they were later partially buried as they still are today. This is volume three of the Annals of the Former World.

For more information on the Further Reading series, see Further Reading: Start Here.