Granite Genesis: In-Situ Melting and Crustal Evolution is a timely, well-structured, and enjoyable read. The authors provide a useful introduction to granite terminology and the ‘granite debate’ (Chapter 1), synthesize the vast experimental work on crustal melting and grantoid genesis (Chapter 2), and then move on to substantiate their main tenet: granitic layers, common in the crust, are an expected by product of in-situ melting–intracrustal convection.

Chen & Grapes address in-situ melting and convection (Chapter 3), provide evidence for the in-situ melting origin for granitic layers (Chapter 4), and discuss the differentiation of such layers from geochemical (Chapter 5) and mineralogical (Chapter 6) perspectives. They include an assessment of various tectonic models as potential heat sources (Chapter 7), the geological effects of granitic layers in the crust (Chapter 8), and conclude with some considerations of material and element recyclying (Chapter 9).

The book benefits in continuity and style from having only two authors and is easy to read. It integrates numerous field cases from the world's best studied locations. The synthesis of experimental work on granitoids (Chapter 2) alone represents a significant motivation to purchase this book. Whether or not one agrees with the main tenet of the authors, this book provides a valuable synthesis and is a great reference for all graduate students and professionals interested in granitic rocks, from their petrogenesis to emplacement mechanisms.