BOOK REVIEW
placer deposits, ferromanganese nodules etc. also find a
mention in this chapter. The book ends with a chapter entitled
“The Evolving Indian Continent”, which spans from page
650-679. These 30 pages summarize the writing that is
included in the previous 649 pages of the book, which
beyond doubt, is a magnificent effort.
As mentioned in the “Preface”, Professor Valdiya has
preferred to use the works of earth scientists who “explored
the land of India” after 1947 (post-Independence era). As a
consequence, the book automatically provides up-to-date
account of Indian Geology and geodynamical models
proposed by various earth scientists to explain the tectonic
evolution of different terranes of India. With the references
spanning over 122 pages, the reader can consider himself/
herself blessed to have all the modern literature compiled
under a single “umbrella”. True to George Orwell’s quote
“Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific term or a jargon
ENGINEERING GEOLOGY by Prof. D. Venkat Reddy. Vikas Publishing House
Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, 2010, 658 pages; Price: Rs.350
This new book on Engineering Geology provides a lot
of information on almost all the facets of Earth Sciences
and allied subjects. The first half of the book deals with the
fundamentals of geology for engineers, whereas the latter
half is devoted to the geological application in engineering
problems, useful for students, scientists and practicing
engineers.
The first chapter presents a brief introduction to the
various geological disciplines, discussed in the following
chapters. Chapter 2 gives an overview of the Earth’s
interior and the importance of understanding of the Earth’s
crust. The third chapter projects a resume of engineering
geological phenomenon. This chapter could have as well
preceded the chapter on soils so as to be rightly related to
the chapters on civil engineering practices. The fundamentals
of mineralogy, petrology and structural geology have been
given adequate treatment. The geomorphological framework
of the hydrosphere comprising the surface drainage,
marine erosion and groundwater has been discussed from
the point of view of civil engineers. Three chapters (12, 13
and 14) describe in great detail, the seismic hazards and
structural protective designs to be considered in earth-
quake prone areas. Chapters 15 to 22 form the backbone of
JOUR.GEOL.SOC.INDIA, VOL.76, AUG. 2010
189
word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent”,
Professor Valdiya has written the book in lucid and simple
English, which every Geology student, including the non-
native English speaker, will be able to follow. Each chapter
has several subheadings dealing with a specific topic,
which allows the reader to directly go to the page of his/her
interest. The figures are of a very high quality and at a price
of Rs. 242, the book is surely affordable by every student
of Geology in India and elsewhere, who wants a complete
account of “The Making of India”. The book is a “Must
Buy” and a “Must Read” for every Indian earth scientist.
Department of Geology & MANISH A. MAMTANI
Geophysics
Indian Institute of Technology
Kharagpur-721302, India
Email: mamtani@gg.iitkgp.ernet.in
this textbook wherein the author has discussed specific
problems encountered in civil and mining engineering, such
as the building sites, slope stability, pillar design, rock
mechanics, bridge design, dams and reservoirs, landslides,
tunnels and large scale underground excavations. Remote
sensing and GIS applications have been briefly explained
in chapter 16 probably can precede the chapter on
Stratigraphy of India and environmental geology described
at the end of the book.
Overall this book will definitely be of enormous use to
the earth scientists, practicing mining engineers and civil
engineers who can exchange ideas during execution of the
projects. The get-up and printing qualities are good.
However, many illustrations have to be redrafted; though
thought questions are quite welcome, supplementary ones
are too elementary.
Prof. D. Venkat Reddy has to be congratulated for his
sustained effort in bringing out this voluminous book at a
very nominal price. This book will surely find place in all
the libraries housing geological literature.
Department of Earth Sciences, S. VISHWANATHAN
IIT Bombay, Mumbai – 400 076 and T.N. SINGH