The first part of this book presents an overview of the world of rocks and their setting in Earth. The genesis of magmatic, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks is described in terms of modern concepts of plate tectonics. The most important characteristics of the rock-forming minerals necessary for identification and characterization, as well as the classification procedures recommended by the International Union of Geosciences, are summarized. The structure and fabric of rocks, i.e., the way in which the component mineral grains are assembled, are documented and dealt with as a direct consequence of those specific and distinct processes that create the contrasting groups of magmatic, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. The second and major part of this book presents ca. 450 different types of rocks in structured, systematic order. Representative, detailed and diagnostic photographs of hand specimens are combined with concise descriptions for quick and effective reference. At the end of the book the most important macroscopic properties of the rock-forming minerals are tabulated, and flow charts are provided as an aid to identification. A summary index of all minerals mentioned in this book together with their chemical formulae is also provided as a quick reference guide. A first German edition of this book was published in 1987, reprinted several times and even translated into Spanish and Italian. Expanded and updated editions followed in 2014, 2016 and 2024. This English edition builds on the 2024 German volume but had to cope with the difficulties of using and defining terms like fabric, texture and structure for an international readership. Texture, in particular, has been used with completely different meanings in different languages and disciplines. This book complies with the recommendations of the International Union of Geosciences. This book addresses students and professional as well as-non-professional geoscientists, both as an initial introduction to the world of rocks and as a quick diagnostic reference guide in the field and laboratory.

Rocks – Description, Identification, Nomenclature, Genesis provides a compact, up-to-date and informative overview of the world of rocks, their classification and formation. The main focus of the book is a detailed description of approximately 450 rock types, which is supported by an enormous amount of excellent, high-quality photographs. The first edition of the book was published in German in 1987, and its extraordinary popularity is evidenced by the fact that a fourth edition has recently been published, with the third edition from 2016 already being out of print. As the book has generated great and lasting interest for more than 3 decades, the first English edition was long overdue. The English edition has been specifically modified for an international readership and follows the recommendations of the International Union of Geosciences (IUGS), incorporating the relevant scientific advances. The authors have succeeded in comprehensively presenting the fascinating diversity of rocks in a logically structured manner. Particularly noteworthy are the detailed and nice illustrations, which, together with the informative texts, provide readers with an understanding of both well-known and lesser-known rock types. Whether as a reference work or as an identification book, the reappraisal of the topic of "rocks" for a broad, interested and knowledgeable readership is excellently implemented.

The work is divided into three parts. The first part includes an introduction to the three principal rock groups (magmatic, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks) and their genesis in the context of modern plate tectonics. Subsequently, there are chapters on the structure of the Earth, the rock-forming minerals and the structures of the different rock groups. The second part deals with the classification and formation of rocks. Magmatic, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks are systematically presented. Many excellent photos and coloured illustrations contribute significantly to the visualisation of the facts. Whether it is the QAPF double triangle (quartz – alkali feldspar – plagioclase – feldspathoids) for magmatic rocks, the concept of magmatic differentiation via fractional crystallisation introduced by Bowen, the grain size classification of siliciclastic sediments, or the metamorphic facies diagram: the essential diagrams, without which a reasonable classification and understanding of rocks would not be possible, are presented and explained in detail.

The third and main part of the book represents a systematic description of magmatic, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. Each rock description contains a rock classification and information on the constituent minerals, characteristic features, formation and occurrence of the rock. This is supplemented by interesting details on the origin of the name and the practical significance. The different rock groups are colour-coded in the front section of the book, which facilitates searching for a specific group. Supplementary diagrams such as the basalt tetrahedron from Yoder and Tilley or the classification of carbonate sedimentary rocks from Dunham ensure that the rock descriptions are successfully integrated into the petrological concepts. Images of different rock textures demonstrate to the readership the wide variation in the appearances of rocks. In this context, the authors repeatedly refer to the recommendations of the IUGS on rock classification. Rocks from world-famous localities – such as the garnet peridotite from Alpe Arami (Switzerland) or the pyrope-quartzite from the Dora Maira Massif (Italian Western Alps) – are displayed, but equally spectacular rocks from lesser-known places, such as a sapphirine-phlogopite gneiss from Fiskenæsset (Greenland) or a sodalite ferrocarbonatite from Cerro Sapo (Bolivia) are also presented. For a quick overview with respect to rock classification, schematic QAPF double triangles for magmatic rocks and facies diagrams for metamorphic rocks are included in the text. A variety of rare rock types are also presented and explained. At the end of the third part there is a brief description of meteorites. Finally, the properties of the most important rock-forming minerals are listed in tabular form, and flow charts for the various rock groups are provided as identification aids.

In summary, the authors Maresch and Schertl can be commended for a superb, compact and highly informative book, with which they guide readers through the fascinating world of rocks. Both the fundamentals of geology and the petrographic variety of rocks are presented in a way that is understandable to a general audience. The book will be very useful for rock identification in the field or for reference, for both geoscience students and interested laypeople. Last but not least, even readers with expertise in petrology will find new aspects of interest and will be inspired by the beautiful photos. Thus, the work can be recommended without reservation to all people interested in rocks.

Ralf Halama, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Institut für Geowissenschaften und Geographie, Von-Seckendorff-Platz 3, 06120 Halle (Saale),Germany. E-Mail: ralf.halama@geo.uni-halle.de

This publication presents description of approximately 450 rock types that is supported by high-quality photographs. This issue, the fourth one, is the first in English following on from previous German language versions. It is long overdue as it provides a comprehensive yet accessible description of petrology in a well-structured single volume. The book represents an identification text as well as a reference tome for a broad earth science audience.

The work is presented in three sections. The first a general introduction to the principal rock groups (igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic). A description of the general processes in the context of plate tectonics is provided and followed by introductory sections on rock forming minerals and structure of the Earth and petrology.

The second section deals with classification of the rock groups and their formation. These are provided systematically as igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rock groups. This section is again well illustrated by photographs and conceptual images. These show great depth and coverage across all rock groups and are explained in detail.

The third section and perhaps the main focus of the book is a detailed description of rock types. This contain information on classification, common rock forming mineral constituents, characteristic features and genesis. The book has a colour code for different rock groups enabling rapid searches of the information. Classic and less well-known examples of rock types and their localities are included. Rare rock types are also included and there are also coverage of meteorites and useful tables of rock forming mineral properties and rock group identification chats.

This book is excellent, and the authors should be commended for a well-conceived, well executed product that I am sure will appeal to a wide readership from novice to those highly experienced. Equally useful in the field, laboratory or for study this publication manages to be useful as both a reference work and an identification book.

Rob Bowell