Great Plains Geology - (Discover the Great Plains) by R F Diffendal (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Great Plains Geology concisely guides readers through the geological development of the Great Plains region. It describes the distinct features of fifty-seven geologic sites, including fascinating places such as Raton Pass in Colorado and New Mexico, the Missouri Breaks of Montana, and the Ashfall Fossil Beds in Nebraska. This guide addresses the tricky question of what constitutes the Great Plains, showing that the region is defined in part through its unique geologic features.

Review Quotes

"Great Plains Geology is a book I wish I'd had fifty years ago when we moved to Nebraska and started commuting to Oklahoma to visit relatives. [Diffendal's] narrative enriches the Great Plains experience immeasurably, especially for those who've made their homes here."--John Janovy Jr., Varner Professor Emeritus at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and author of Keith County Journal
-- (9/7/2016 12:00:00 AM)

"Great Plains Geology is not just a book, it's a gift, offered by a scientist from his life's experience. The book is a work of great and selfless generosity for which we should be grateful as we sally forth to explore this vast and varied region."--Joe Alan Artz, Journal of the Iowa Archeological Society

"An enjoyable guide to the best geological sites in the Great Plains of Canada and the United States. Professor Diffendal's lively writing unites geology with personal and historical references to provide a great resource for those traveling and sightseeing."--David Watkins, professor of earth and atmospheric sciences at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
-- (9/7/2016 12:00:00 AM)

"Diffendal's ability to write from first-hand experience, and his talent for summarizing very complex geology and huge amounts of detailed scientific information in a candid, appealing, and understandable way, make this the best handbook of its type currently available for the Great Plains region."--Priscilla C. Grew, Nebraska History

"From the inquisitive tourist or landowner, to the 'wannabe' archaeologist or dinosaur hunter, to the professional scientist or historian who seeks information in a related field, this book is a must-read. . . . [It] will quickly dispel the idea that the Great Plains are a monotonous and continuously flat region."--Gerald Schultz, professor of geology at West Texas A&M University-- (9/7/2016 12:00:00 AM)

"Professor Diffendal has done a marvelous job of assembling information and images about the rich geological history and terrain of the Great Plains. For those who have ever lived in or spent time in the region, as I have, or been as smitten with geology as I was. . . . I highly recommend it."--Robert Wuthnow, professor of sociology at Princeton University and author of Remaking the Heartland: Middle America since the 1950s-- (9/7/2016 12:00:00 AM)

"This book should be in the travel bag of anyone interested in exploring this remarkable stage in the heart of North America."--Michael Forsberg, photographer and author of Great Plains: America's Lingering Wild
-- (9/7/2016 12:00:00 AM)

"This is an indispensable travel guide for anyone wishing to explore and appreciate the mysteries of this beautiful landscape."--Dale A. Winkler, research professor of paleontology at Southern Methodist University-- (9/7/2016 12:00:00 AM)

"Until now, eco-tourists visiting the Great Plains faced a void of geological information. . . . [Great Plains Geology] is clearly and succinctly written by a leading geologist in a way that nongeologists will understand and appreciate."--James Stubbendieck, director emeritus of the Center for Great Plains Studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and author of North American Wildland Plants-- (9/7/2016 12:00:00 AM)

About the Author

R. F. Diffendal Jr. is professor emeritus in the School of Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He is the author of Lewis and Clark and the Geology of the Great Plains.