A Field Guide to Rocks and Minerals: The Peterson Field Guide Series

Peterson Field Guides #7

by Frederick H. Pough

This book is an authoritative guide to the identification of rocks and minerals in the field. It contains the basic information needed by the beginner in minerology - one need not be an expert to form a rock and mineral collection of enduring value - and is at the same time complete enough to satisfy the demands of the advanced collector. All rocks that can be identified in the field are included. All the common minerals likely to be encountered by the nonspecialist are described in detail, as are a few of the rare specimens that so delight the collector who comes upon them. Rocks and minerals being alike the world over, this field guide can be used anywhere.

More than 260 photographs, 149 of them in full color, and numerous crystal drawings assist the collector in immediately identifying many specimens in the field. The text discusses the important physical characteristics of each mineral, describes the environment in which it commonly occurs, and lists the geographic areas where it may be found. As further aids to identification, Dr. Pough outlines the necessary chemical and blowpipe testing procedures, including many new and relatively simple tests.

A special section is devoted to uranium ores. It contains much sensible advice on proper prospecting tools and techniques.

For the serious naturalist who has not been trained in minerology, this book will open up a fascinating area for observation and study.

When it was first published in 1953, A Field Guide to Rocks and Minerals was welcomed by reviewers all across the country as the most practical and comprehensive book of its kind. Since then moew than 150,000 copies of the first and second editions have been sold. For this third edition, Dr. Pough has provided full-color illustrations of 72 specimens previously shown only in black and white. More than half of the photographs are now reproduced in color.

Genres: Science, Reference, Geology, Nonfiction, Nature, Field Guides, Education

349 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1953

Reviews

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I brought this book thinking one day I will get out there and find the beautiful rocks that I absolutely loved, Well, that day never happened! People actually go out digging for the rocks or mining and I can't see myself doing that by myself with all of the weird people out there, trying to kidnapped or murder you. Anyway, the book has 385 color photos, showing rocks and minerals and description of each one. I have kept this book for a very long time.

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good rock and mineral guide.

[Jess the Shelf-Declared Bibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came across the 3rd edition of this book at an antique store. The information was interesting but I can tell the picture quality was much improved in the later versions, hence why I upped the rating.

[Melissa]

It was interesting to read this cover to cover. It brought back earth science from high school, and many terms I had forgotten. I look forward to going to a rock and gem show and seeing what I remember.

[Foxtower · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book an excellent resource to learn about and identify rocks and minerals found in the field. I thought to numerous color and b/w photographs were helpful clues, but if you want to identify minerals just with pictures you miss the whole point, for the environment and properties of unknown samples are just as important. That the author includes ways to test samples in the lab is a great bonus far beyond what most field guides offer!

[Lafcadio · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book follows the disappointing Peterson paradigm. There are pictures in the middle section of the book, but half of them are in black and white, and the photos are small and unclear. Opt for Simon and Schuster's book.

[Scott Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an eductional introductory guide (part of the Peterson Field Guide series) to North America rocks and minerals. It is primarily organized by physical properties of minerals, crystal classification, and chemical classifications of minerals in Part I; and descriptions of minerals in Part II.

[Stacy Crandall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent resources to identify all kinds of rocks and minerals, a few but not many color photographs.

[Don Gubler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent resource for such a huge field.

[Megan Wilson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a okay book.

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well done and very useful. One of my favorite of the various field guides I own.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

An earlier edition was my go to book as a rockhound and was always in my pack on my expeditions.