Roadside Geology of Missouri Paperback – June 15, 2001

Very interesting book! The book is predominately focused on rock age and type distribution throughout the state, with many photos of exposed rock as examples.That's not exactly what I expected when I purchased the book, I had hoped it would (also) discuss exactly where to find mineral specimens such as quartz, malachite, lace agate etc.That being said, this book was very well written and I learned quite a lot about the geological history of Missouri, and even my own neighborhood specifically.

If you like to travel and want to know what you are observing in nature outside your car, these books are for you! Great for teaching children to observe as well. Depending on the book's author, you may get a little history too. Books are set up by region and/or route number. Mile markers assist you in your journey.

This book goes through the time-line and history of Missouri. How it was formed, when there was ocean, it talks about the Pre-Cambrian time to the Neocene. So Enjoy it! It really gives you an appreciation of Missouri, where you live, and the Earth. You can visit the sites in the book and it tells you how and why they formed. Great for kids and road trips

As a Missourian with more than a passing interest in what rocks and minerals are in the area, a great guide. It has road maps, along with whatever minerals are in the area. It was a bit over my head, and the guide is a few years old now-one can only hope that the places mentioned have not been covered over with malls and shopping centers.

Covers all of Missouri and gives hwy numbers and directions to different areas. great pictures helps when looking from the roadways. Big help for someone like me, a beginner.

The Missouri edition of Roadside Geology is certainly worth the wait. I appreciated the color photographs and the diagrams. The writing puts it on a par with a well written geology textbook. I also appreciated the fact that since it was written in the last year, the ideas are current. The older editions of the Roadside Geology series can be dated. This is reflected in the new ideas about the St Francois mountains in eastern Missouri and the hidden rift that cuts across the state. I also liked the attention paid to paleogeographic features like the ancestral Kansas River and the unnamed Mississippean river that ran north in west central Missouri 320 million years ago. Of course, Dr. Spencer was clear that continental drift is a well established theory and that the circular feature lying between Collins and Osceola Missouri was, most likely, a meteor crater. The roads and photographs are well chosen showing the various geological features shown in the numerous road cuts throughout the state. A must have for amateur geologist living in Missouri and visitors to the state.

Easy to read and understand. Great pictures!! Locations are accurate. My nerdy-self loved all the history and education this author gives. Highly recommend to all amateur rock hounds like me who walk with their head down looking for new rocks.

I have an older version of this series for Indiana. This is a newer version (2008) and is much improved. Color pictures, several GPS coordinates to sites, etc. Very interesting overall and well done.