The Earth′s Land Surface: Landforms and Processes in Geomorphology

"Given the sheer scale of the topic under consideration here, Professor Gregory does well to condense it into bite-size pieces for the reader. I recommend this text to all undergraduate students of physical geography and earth sciences, particularly to those in their first and second years... This book is a comprehensive and (crucially) inexpensive text that will provide students with a useful source on geomorphology." - Lynda York, The Geographical Journal "I would highly recommend this to anyone doing geology or geography at university as a ′go to′ book for geomorphology and landform." - Sara Falcone, Teaching Earth Science "An excellent source of information for anyone who needs a well-informed, easy to use reference volume to introduce them to the fascinating complexities of the earth’s land surface, past, present and future." - Angela Gurnell, Queen Mary, University of London This introductory text details the land surface of the earth in a readable style covering the major issues, key themes and sensitivities of the environments/landscape. Emphasising the major ideas and their development, each chapter includes case studies and details of influential scientists (not necessarily geomorphologists) who have contributed to the progress of understanding. Providing a very clear explanation of the understanding achieved and of the debates that have arisen, the book is comprised of 12 chapters in four sections: Visualising the land surface explains and explores the composition of the land surface and outlines how it has been studied. Dynamics of the land surface considers the dynamics affecting the earth′s land surface including its influences, processes and the changes that have occurred. Environments of the land surface looks to understand the land surface in major world regions highlighting differences between the areas. Management of the land surface is an examination of the current and future prospects of the management of the earth′s land surface. With pedagogical features including further reading, questions for discussion and a glossary, this original, lively text is authored by one of the leading experts in the field and will be core reading for first and second year undergraduates on all physical geography courses.

Table of Contents:
Preface PART ONE: VISUALIZING THE LAND SURFACE Recognizing the Land Surface Study of the Land Surface PART TWO: DYNAMICS OF THE LAND SURFACE Controls Affecting the Land Surface Processes and Dynamics of the Land Surface PART THREE: LANDFORM EVOLUTION The Changing Surface - Evolution of Landscapes PART FOUR: ENVIRONMENTS OF THE LAND SURFACE World Land Surface Landscapes Polar Regions: Arctic, Antarctic and High Latitudes Temperate and Mediterranean Environments Arid Environments Humid and Seasonally Humid Tropics Urban Landscapes PART FIVE: MANAGEMENT OF THE LAND SURFACE - FUTURE PROSPECTS Future Land Surfaces: Management of Change Glossary

About the Author :
Ken Gregory obtained his BSc, PhD and DSc from the University of London, was made CBE in 2007 for services to geography and higher education, and is currently President of the British Society for Geomorphology. Research interests include river channel change and management, palaeohydrology and the development of physical geography, and he has written more than 140 papers, authored and edited 30 books including The Earth’s Land Surface (2010) and The SAGE Handbook of Geomorphology (2011). He has 3 Honorary degrees, and received the Founder’s Medal of the Royal Geographical Society (1993), the Linton award of the BGRG (1999), and the Geographical medal of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society (2000).

Review :
Ken Gregory has produced a concise but comprehensive guide to geomorphology which is characterised by a very clear text, superbly useful tables, and some mini-biographies of some of the leading figures in the discipline. It is particularly strong on the different types of geomorphological environments, including those of cities Professor Andrew Goudie University of Oxford Founded on his long and distinguished career as a geomorphologist, Ken Gregory has produced a stimulating and far-reaching overview of the subject...The book is written in an accessible style. It succeeds in providing both detail and perspective by including within each chapter a wealth of excellent, information rich tables; carefully chosen further reading; a list of topics for further study; and short profiles of one of the key players in the development of the specific area of the subject...This book has great potential to act as a companion volume for undergraduate study of geomorphology at all levels, providing a springboard from which a programme of detailed literature research can develop. It also provides an excellent source of information for anyone who needs a well-informed, easy to use reference volume to introduce them to the fascinating complexities of the earth′s land surface, past, present and future Professor Angela Gurnell Department of Geography, Queen Mary, University of London A book which is comprehensive in its topics, logical in explanations but at the same time easy to read for both undergraduates and the interested public. A true reflection of Prof Gregory′s professional enthusiasm and rich experience Denes Loczy Zeitschrift f r Geomorphologie Professor Gregory, in his preface, acknowledges that this book may be seen as retrograde by some, a possible throw-back to the days of descriptive geomorphology. However, throughout the book he is able to capture the past, present and future of the Earth’s land surface without appearing dated, and illustrates clearly where our understanding comes from and where our research is taking us...Given the sheer scale of the topic under consideration here, Professor Gregory does well to condense it into bite-size pieces for the reader. I recommend this text to all undergraduate students of physical geography and earth sciences, particularly to those in their first and second years. I am sure it will appear on their class reading lists, as it will on mine. This book is a comprehensive and (crucially) inexpensive text that will provide students with a useful source on geomorphology Lynda York The Geographical Journal The book has a consistent format and is written in a clear style, so that those who are not geologists or geographers would be able to understand as it explains all terms, as if it is the first time the reader has encountered them... One thing I found particularly useful are the "Topics" at the end of each chapter. These are questions, much like in school text books, that one can answer to check that they have absorbed all that was intended from the chapter, as well as suggested reading... Also at the end of each chapter is a ′Scientist Profile′, a short biography on scientists that have at some point in their career contributed into the understanding of geomorphology... I think that this gives the book a unique edge... I would highly recommend this to anyone doing geology or geography at university as a "go to" book for geomorphology and landform. Sara Falcone Teaching Earth Science