Over the last decade or so tectonic geomorphology has grown in popularity to become an integral part of the Earth Science curriculum. The widely adopted introductory textbook Tectonic Geomorphology by Burbank & Anderson provides an excellent overview of the diverse range of topics that encompass the subject but little else has been published that adequately builds on this foundation. Tectonic Geomorphology of Mountains: A New Approach to Paleoseismology is a welcome arrival providing substantive and in-depth exploration of mountain geomorphology over short timescales (Holocene to Present) that relate to the earthquake cycle, the latter aspect rather naughtily downplayed by use of small print on the book cover.

Few can match William Bull's extensive experience working on mountain fluvial geomorphology and his new book provides the ideal repository for over forty years’ work as an applied geologist. The style of writing conveys a clear sense of enthusiasm for the subject although in places the book is replete with superfluous information that can make some sections disjointed and hard to follow. The first two chapters (of six), which provide introductions to core processes and concepts, suffer from considerable overlap and could have been better organized; for example, tectonic geomorphology is not defined until Chapter 2. Of more concern are the vague and occasionally misleading descriptions on the roles of isostasy (including flexural isostasy) and tectonic uplift, particularly in Chapter 2 where, in relation to isostatic response times to unloading, isostatic uplift is discounted on the basis of 50 ka being too short a time span. Despite these weaknesses subsequent chapters are on the whole more confidently written, and better structured. Chapter 3 considers fault segmentation in mountain fronts, Chapter 4 tectonic activity of mountain fronts, Chapter 5 fault scarps and Chapter 6 analysis of prehistoric seismic shaking. Each of these themes is investigated using qualitative and quantitative approaches centred on ground-based field studies supported by well-illustrated field sketches and photographs, and plots of key data. Remote sensing techniques and DEM analysis are touched upon but not utilized to any great extent. This could be seen as a weakness but it is worth remembering that Bull's work over the last forty years or so laid the foundation for many of the DEM analytical approaches now used in mountain geomorphology.

If the style of writing is ignored the underlying strength of this book is in the wealth of detail conveyed through use of examples from field-based studies (albeit strongly biased to North America). With the growth of desktop processing of remote sensing data and DEM interpretive strategies this work provides an important reminder that basic fieldwork skills remain an essential part of the geomorphologist's/geologist's toolbox. As background reading this book will provide a valuable (library) resource for research geologists and upper-level undergraduate students who want to extend their geomorphic knowledge and learn field-based techniques for deciphering tectonically-driven mountain landscape change.