The Usborne Encyclopedia of Planet Earth

This introduction to physical geography covers earthquakes and volcanoes, climate and weather, plants and animals, soil, rivers and oceans. The apparatus includes a glossary and a page of relevant biographies. The pictures are interestingly chosen and the diagrams generally clear. However, the book suffers from imprecision and misplaced emphasis. Some examples: a paragraph beginning 'Earthquakes can be prevented... leaves the reader uncertain why they are still allowed to occur. Although the inclination of the Earth's axis is mentioned, the succession of the seasons is (wrongly) connected with proximity to the Sun. The length of the solar year is mis-stated, and the incidence of leap years misleadingly presented. High tides on the side of the Earth away from the moon are wrongly attributed to centrifugal force. The role of plants in oxygen production is mentioned only in passing; from the section on the carbon cycle one might well conclude that they emit as much carbon dioxide as they absorb.