I have used this book several times for a quick reference, more thorough reviews and as a bibliographic source. It has been invaluable in all respects. In most cases it was the only reference I could find on discinplinary history or aspects of that history.

I am the editor of the book and just want to put in a good word so people might know what to expect from it. First, it is two volumes, long and richly detailed -- so it's worth the price. The authors --all 140-- are very well informed on their various geosciences but also on their histories. How was the geological column unravelled and where did those names come from? How have storms or northern lights or ocean currents been understood in different times and places? How did our expansion into space affect our understanding of the Earth? All of these stories and many more are told in these volumes in ways that both inform and challenge. These stories are also authoritative reflections of the "state of the art" in history of Earth Science. So if you are a student or a professional historian of science, these volumes provide a basis for further research. There is a "Guide to Resources for Research in the History of Geosciences". An alphabetical index includes over 2000 people who have contributed to geoscience, including their full names and birth-death dates in most cases.

I would appreciate hearing from anyone who would like to know more about "Sciences of the Earth" or about this field in history.