Roadside Geology of Maryland, Delaware, and Washington, D.C. (Roadside Geology Series)

Finally, after years of hopeful waiting, a book in this generally excellent series for this geographically small area, with rather minimal economically important mineral resources, but with quite an active complex geological past, in common with other Atlantic seaboard states. The primary author and illustrators clearly put much effort into producing a very readable, well illustrated work. I notice that Mr. Means is also a former English teacher, which probabaly served him well in organizing and writing this work. As with other new additions in this series within the past few years, this contribution includes many mostly color photos, maps and illustrations, along with a detailed text of the basic geology, as well as human interest aspects. I think Mr. Means would agree that the eastern and western Piedmont and Blue Ridge regions hold the most interest to the casual geology dabbler, with their very complex mix of mostly metamorphosed igneous and sedimentary rocks. I happen to live in the central Piedmont of Carroll County, which Mr, Means doesn't spend a great deal of space on. In my area of Westminster, there are several very narrow tongues of Sam's Creek metabasalt alternating with several varieties of mostly micaceous schists. Here, as well as in the marble and metabasalt area to the southwest, the metabasalt tends to underlie the high grounds. In the Maryland Blue Ridge region, in contrast, the metabasalt and rhyolite mostly occupy the Middletown Valley, while the more resistant quartzite rules the ridges(as the author points out). A number of splended boulders of foliose metabasalt are on display at the driveway entrance to a nondescript building on the road behind the Westminster Walmart. Also,several excellent boulders of typical schist that dominates the surface of much of Carroll County is seen at the corner of Mall Ring Road and Center Street,on the other side of a valley through which Rt 27 and the railroad runs. This book will probably largely supersede the older, more limited, 'Maryland's Geology'(of which I've long had a copy)as the standard companion for the casual enthusiast. We still lack a book in this series for NJ and WVA, not to mention most of the Southeastern states.

This book represents an enormous amount of hands-on research by an author who truly loves his subject. The geology of Maryland is complex and is closely associated with local life to an unusual degree. From the west with its coal mines and gas fields to the Chesapeake Bay which drains five states, Maryland's topography and geology present thousands of interesting details. The strength of this book is its organization. After a broad (but by no means superficial)survey, the author takes us on a guided tour, literally mile-by-mile, through highway cuts, quarries, exposed rocks, rivers and streams, waterfalls, and dozens more easy-to-find geological treats. Every page is illustrated with recent photos, geological cross-sections and maps. The illustrators, Matthew and Suzannah Moran, have earned their billing.The book is new and I haven't yet had time to explore the Delaware and D.C. sections but the book seems to maintain the same level of detail right out to the coast.If you're interested in what's under the landscape, this book belongs in your glove compartment and by your bedside. It's a great addition to the excellent Roadside Geology series from Mountain Press publishers.

Exhaustively thorough, but what a profitable exhaustion! The authors must love their subject; it's a very readable text for the educated layperson. Photos (including those with the "young geologist" for scale), maps, geological cross sections, et al., appeared just where and just how I would have asked for them. If I have a bias, it's because I live in one of the least geologically interesting parts of Maryland -- and even my area merited a few pages. Enough detail for the anal-retentive among us, but a masterful presentation of the many regional and temporal perspectives. Fortunately, there are great directions (including info about private land) to all the sites I never knew existed -- but which will now be added to my "bucket list." Skillful use of color, great editing. A reminder, to at least one who needed it, that the East Coast's greenery doesn't hide everything, after all.Now if the publishers will only do the same for New Mexico's 2nd edition....

What an amazing book! The first eighteen pages are the most difficult yet most rewarding: they introduce the reader to necessary terminology while reviewing billions of years of geological history. The rest of the book is a region-by-region review of geological and related man-made features one can tour by driving, hiking, or even canoeing through the state! I planned my last vacation around this book and was not disappointed in the slightest. So the publisher could have titled this book, "Cool places to take your date in Maryland" - it would have been just as accurate and doubtless would have sold more copies.Will purchase another book in this series next.

An awesome series for the traveler! Discover what is unique about the geology of your state. The Roadside Geology series is factual, well-written, and contains photos of points of interest. Not interested in geology? If you like to explore, this is the book for you..... find waterfalls, streams, scenic spots, and state parks. As are most of the books in the series, this one is divided by federal highways/state routes. Pick one and enjoy the trip!

While the Sidling Hill Cut approaches legend for roadside (and other) geologists, Maryland has so much more to offer. No slight intended to Delaware and the District, but Maryland is more diverse. This book covers it. And when they say "Roadside", they mean roadside: the book tells you what you're seeing as you drive by--or at least "drive to", as is the case for the District's small Roosevelt Island, whose northern end is Piedmont rocky and whose southern end is Atlantic coastal plane sandy. Wonderful graphics, chatty text without being condescending or silly. A congenial travel companion.