This volume forms one in a long line of high-quality publications stemming from this Geological Society series. The book follows a now familiar format with an introduction and overview written by the editors, followed by a series of papers (18 in this case) written by specialists in their field. In their Introduction, the editors ask the apparently simple question which the book aims to address, namely – What mechanisms allow the continental lithosphere to be thinned to the point of rupture? In order to tackle this, the volume has been arranged into six main sections, three of which cover dynamic modelling, kinematic modelling and geological/geophysical constraints of the Iberia–Newfoundland continental extensional system. A further two sections cover onshore and offshore characteristics of non-Atlantic extensional systems, while a final section deals with fundamental concepts of continental extension.

The editors provide a detailed overview of the contents of the book. However, and perhaps more importantly, they also list many of the uncertainties and things we don't know about lithospheric extension and margin development. Rather fundamental concepts such as the driving forces for rift initiation, and controls on the switch from rifting to drifting are still not fully understood, as is the way deformation is partitioned through the lithosphere. Equally, heat budgets, magma generation and fluid transfers also require further research initiatives. All in all, this book covers a huge (and growing) area of research and the editors are to be congratulated on producing such an excellent and authoritative volume which clearly summarizes the current ‘state of play’.

Overall, the book is very well produced as is to be expected with this series, and contains many colour illustrations together with fold-outs (although one of mine was unfortunately sliced!). This volume represents an extremely timely and well written account of what we do know – and what we don't know – about continental extension and break up. Although the price tag of £100 (£50 for Geol. Soc. members) may be a little steep for the casual browser, the volume certainly deserves a place on academic and industry book shelves alike.