The Formation and Future of the Upper Texas Coast: A Geologist Answers Questions about Sand, Storms, and Living by the Sea

by John B. Anderson

With strong personal and professional ties to the Gulf of Mexico, marine geologist John B. Anderson has spent two decades studying the Texas coastline and continental shelf. In this book, he sets out... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1585445614
• ISBN13: 9781585445615
• Release Date: May 2007
• Publisher: Texas A&M University Press
• Length: 163 Pages
• Weight: 1.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 8.2" x 10.2"

Customer Reviews

Absolutely the Best

This is a marvelous combination of scientific accuracy and universal readability! It details why we in Texas should stop trying to fight Mother Nature, a lesson that we repeatedly fail to learn. The photos and diagrams are pertinent and understandable, and emphasize the author's conclusions. The book should be on the shelf of anyone who lives on, works on, builds on and/or cares about the Texas coast - and could likely apply to many other coasts as well.

An Objective Assesment of Coastal Issues

Having done research years ago along the coasts of the Bay of Fundy, New Jersey, and Western Europe, my initial reaction to an announcement about this book was admittedly blasé. However, John Anderson's book "The Formation and Future of the Upper Texas Coast" is one of the best ones dealing with coastal issues. The author has successfully written a book in which the critical science is clearly explained in layman's terms without compromising the science. Each issue is discussed on an objective, dispassionate way so that one comes away with a fuller understanding of all the ramifications of coastal issues. The books follows a logical outline starting with a discussion of coastal processes, the historical changes of the Upper Texas Coast (from the Sabine River to Freeport, TX), the impact of sea level rise on the coast and its ramifications for the future, adjusting and dealing with coastal change, the impact of hurricanes, how to combat coastal change and coastal development. It is well illustrated with outstanding aerial photos and ground photos (many taken by the author), maps, and seismic sections, key graphs and links to critical web pages with more information. Perhaps one of the best features of the book is that Anderson tries not to editorialize or sensationalize too much the impact of human activities on the coast. He lays out the facts, draws several conclusions, admits his biases where there may be some, and tries to present alternate viewpoints. If you value coastal beauty, coastal environments, the coastal life style, and baseline coastal business such as the fishing industry, this is a MUST READ book. Buy it and you will like it!