This book is intended for amateur meteorite collectors. It explains where to look for meteorites, what to look for, how to buy and sell them, and what preservation methods should be employed to keep specimens in good condition (some iron meteorites rust very quickly!). It is not about dinosaur extinctions, the threat to earth from asteroids or the origin of meteorites and tektites. It is true to its title and the author pitches at exactly the right level.The book was published in 1991 and, although some of the terms have since changed, the underlying science is as valid today as it was then. The real strength of this book is the author's enthusiasm which flows out of every page. Some of the preservation techniques mentioned in the book cannot be found anywhere else and, if you have just spent years hunting down your first meteorite, or paid a stack of greenbacks for a first class specimen, then you will definitely benefit from following Dr. Bagnall's sound advice.I cannot disagree more with the comments by the anonymous reviewer. This book is quite clearly not aimed at students of meteoritics, and there is very little evidence to support a terrestrial origin for tektites. No wonder he would not reveal his identity!Alan Laing
Excellent
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
This is a great book that covers a variety of topics of interest to both beginning and advanced collectors. The treatment of the chemical and mineral makeup of various meteorite types is particularly good. This book covers quite a bit of information that is not easily available in other texts. It is thick with information. This is not a particularly light read as it goes into some technical details. The content is well outlined and indexed for easy reference. The treatment of the subject of tektite origins is well balanced. The author accurately presents a range of theories on this hotly debated subject without drawing any strong conclusions. An enjoyable and useful reference for any meteorite or tektite collector.
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