This is a big book, about 9x12" and thick, with 304 pages in this edition [reviewer suspects that most editions are very similar; this is based upon the 1983 edition]. Its subtitle on the dust jacket says it is a complete reference work on collecting and fashioning minerals, but it is even better than the subtitle indicates. This gives an explanation of just about every aspect of the mineral world that is of interest to the collector.

Its introduction includes an interesting history of the study of minerals. It contains a chapter on the chemistry of minerals, written for the layman yet accurate. The chapter on the Crystalline State considers how crystals grow, with helpful diagrams, habits, crystal structure, symmetry, systems, and optical properties, an otherwise difficult subject written simply for the layman. Another chapter deals with geolgy and the types of deposits minerals are found in, and how to collect, label, etc. A section on ecomonic geology and the interaction of mineral collectors and mines. A chapter on identification of minerals, mostly by their various physical properties (a superb diagram of a home-made specific gravity balance is included!), and a chapter on the fashioning of gemstones. A chapter on conserving and displaying mineral specimens, along with cleaning hints (Note: despite the book, hydrofluoric acid, HF, is NOT recommended for any amateur as this is extremely dangerous; this is the only disagreement or fault that the reviewer found with the book). Also storage, display, and cataloging.

Nearly half of the book is descriptions of minerals, many accompanied by color photographs. This is, however, not an identification guide (use the recommended guide by Pough for that), nor does it cover all species, but the more common ones. This is, instead, a sort of encyclopedia to simply learn by and to enjoy. This is followed by a bibliography containing over 60 excellent references for further study, and an index.

Although not an identification guide, nor a college text, it yet intelligently explains in layman's language some aspects only covered in technical jargon in the usual textbooks, aspects which the amateur may have been curious about but has not studied. This is a superb book for the one who wished to be guided, as if by a museum tour, through the world of minerals. The photographs are wonderful, mostly correlated with the text. The text is accurate, respects the intelligence of the layman, and is clear. It is obvious that the author knows and loves the subject, and has spent a great amount of time and thought in the preparation of this book. I hope he is a mineral museum curator, as his tours would certainly be booked up full. For a tour of the world of minerals and of their collecting, this is nearly as good as a trip to a museuma, and you won't have to wait in line! -DM

As understood from it's name, Illustrated Guide to Rocks and Minerals, is not a reference book that can be used for identifying rocks and minerals but can be used to make people get exited about minerals and mineral collecting. The pictures that Michael O'Donoghue used in this large book were selected very carefully to show the world of minerals as an attracting piece of natural art. (Beyond all these perfect pictures, there is a little information that you can find in any other book)

It's strange to find that a bio of a chap so flamboyant as Mr. Mike would be so hard to get through. The context is pretty narrow, too. Better to have put the man in the framework of his times, contrasting him with his contemporaries and past wits he admired. But all that aside, to get so few laughs from a book about such an inspired satirist is disconcerting. Couldn't we just have all his scripts and poems by themselves, instead?

Problem is, this book isn't funny in its content, or even witty in its execution, let alone its overall appreciation of a master. Give us Michael by Michael, an anthology of the man's own work!

In my younger days, I found O'Donoghue fascinating. After reading this book, I feel that I now have a good understanding of the man and of what he was doing.

Perrin covers each phase of O'Donoghue's career in depth and detail, and reveals O'Donoghue to be a performance artist working in comedy moreso than a comedian (as is, for example, Al Franken who O'Donoghue reportedly despised). This book is not a pleasant read, as O'Donoghue was devoted to offending and disturbing people. If you want to understand him, or his "art", this is the place to go.

Fans of Michael O'Donoghue's black comedy will be disappointed by this light-hearted collection of humorous observations of domestic and political life by Socks, the Clinton housecat, as drawn by J.C. Suares. Small children and cat book enthusiasts will be amused. As far as this reviewer is aware, this was O'Donoghue's last published book before he died in 1995.--Andrew Roaze

The book presents a cute and humorous view of Socks the Cat. The book is very accurate in terms of nature of a cat (shreading priceless antique furniture, destroying China, etc).