I must confess that before taking on this review I had not really looked carefully at previous editions of this book. Now in its fourth edition, Physics of the Earth has been completely revised and expanded in comparison with its earlier incarnations. Paul Davis has also joined Frank Stacey as an author. The preface outlines the major changes. The number of chapters has been increased by subdividing the chapters of the previous edition and new chapters have been included covering elastic and inelastic properties of rocks and rock mechanics which provide a framework for additional chapters on earthquake processes and dynamics.
These changes have resulted in a book consisting of 26 chapters covering an extensive range of topics which include most aspects of Solid Earth Geophysics and a host of other subjects which might best be described as underpinning knowledge, such as ‘Origin and history of the Solar System’ and ‘Composition of the Earth’. While being largely self-contained, the topics are organized in a logical fashion so that any knowledge required for an understanding of subsequent chapters is introduced at an appropriate point. For example chapters on ‘Rotation and the figure of the Earth and gravity’, and ‘Precession, wobble and rotational irregularities’ precede the chapter on the satellite geoid. The shorter chapters, each averaging around 15 pages, provide a well-written, concise and easily readable introduction aimed at final-year undergraduate or first-year postgraduate level. Each chapter is prefaced with an excellent section outlining critical aspects of the topic and putting it into an appropriate context. In my mind this is one of the best parts of this textbook since the reader can quickly make a decision whether to pursue each chapter further or move on.
On reflection, while the coverage of topics is comprehensive there is one area that the book might cover but does not. I expected the chapters on ‘Tectonics’ and ‘Convective and tectonic stresses’ to consider the possible links between mantle convection and surface elevation through viscous coupling. While in some respects this topic is emerging and controversial, and the authors could be forgiven for steering clear of it as a result, there is a need for a textbook-level introduction and this volume would seem to be the appropriate place.
To complement each chapter there is a comprehensive set of problems in a separate section at the back of the book. The problems are related to chapters by their numbers and a set of solutions for course convenors is available online. There is also a set of appendices covering mathematical topics in more detail than would be appropriate for the chapters together with listings of fundamental data. The book is rounded off with a comprehensive and up-to-date reading list and an extensive index.
In conclusion, this is an excellent text that I can strongly recommend to anyone requiring an introduction to Solid Earth Geophysics and planetary science.
