Natural Resources, Vol. 1
- Book Review,
by Mark S. Coyne (Editor)
From Library Journal
Natural resources, in the most basic sense, have been defined as naturally occurring materials and phenomena such as fuels, minerals, and timber. In the late 1960s, concerns about the finite nature of many of these resources and the ecological ramifications of their exploitation expanded the definition. This three-volume set provides perspectives on both traditional and more recent views of the earth's resources. The 438 alphabetically arranged articles range in length from 250 to 4000 words. Among them is a series of 84 articles on specific mineral resources, from antimony to zirconium. Reflecting the importance of oil, several articles discuss the chemistry, distribution, and formation of oil in addition to oil drilling and the oil industry. Such energy resources as nuclear, solar, and wind energy are also covered, as are ecological resources such as crops and topics like animal breeding and agricultural products. Finally, a number of articles discuss the environmental effects of extracting resources, such as mining wastes and deforestation. The articles are illustrated with photographs and include charts and tables, and those that are at least 1000 words long include bibliographies. Each article is signed by a contributor who is a researcher in that specific field. Volume 3 includes a glossary, an index, and lists of mineral resources by country and by state. While covering the conservation and preservation issues that are the main focus of other "environmental" encyclopedias (e.g., Conservation and Environmentalism, LJ 12/95), this work is unique in that it defines natural resources in terms of their economic benefits, utilization, and exploitation. Recommended for all libraries.?Eva Lautemann, DeKalb Coll. Lib., Clarkston, GACopyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Along with 125 scholars from throughout the U.S., professors Coyne and Allin, affiliated with the University of Kentucky and Cornell College, respectively, have put together an interesting new reference work on natural resources. The editors have interpreted natural resources in the most comprehensive manner to include resource exploitation, environmentalism, geology, and biology. The work consists of 438 alphabetically arranged articles that range from 250 to 4,000 words in length. There are 84 core articles on minerals. Other areas of interest are energy resources including nuclear, solar, and wind; and plant-and animal-related topics like crops and animal breeding. In addition, there are articles on ecological resources such as forests, grasslands, lakes, and wetlands. There are also articles on secondary resources, such as cement, paper, and steel. There are brief articles on 28 organizations and 15 historical events, and 22 biographies of people like Barry Commoner and Stewart Udall.All articles are signed; a list in the front of volume 1 gives the authors' affiliations. Appropriately placed throughout the text are 200 black-and-white photographs and 135 charts and tables. Articles at least 1,000 words in length have internal subheadings and annotated bibliographies of further readings at the end. Also at the end of articles are cross-references to other entries. A table of contents in the front of each volume directs users to articles only in that volume. Volume 3 contains many useful aids--an alphabetical table of elements, a periodic table of the elements, lists of major resources arranged by states and countries, a time line from 10,000 B.C. to 1997, and a glossary. A bibliography lists approximately 242 books grouped under broad subject headings. Rounding out the third volume are a list of entries by category and a comprehensive index.There are numerous reference works dealing with specific natural resource topics like energy, pollution, agriculture, and minerals, but there are few if any surveys like Natural Resources. The broad nature of this set makes it unique and it should prove to be popular with students doing term papers and the general public seeking information. Recommended for high-school, public, and academic libraries.
From Book News, Inc.
This three-volume survey of traditional and recent views of the earth's resources collects 438 alphabetically arranged articles by numerous contributors on such topics as resource categories, the oil industry, plant and animal resources, natural systems, human aspects of resource exploration, energy politics and economics, resource management, recycling, conservation, sustainable development, preservation, waste disposal, and the role of US legislation and government agencies in overseeing resource use. Articles on 84 specific mineral resources explain where they are found, and their primary uses and characteristics. Entries range in length from 250 to nearly 4,000 words, and include summaries, bibliographies, and cross-references. The editors append lists of the locations of US and international mineral resources, a chronology, an index of entries by category, and related materials. Book News, Inc.®, Portland, OR
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