Book Reviews of Rocks and Minerals of
California.
1. "The third revision of a popular California guide book that abundantly
contains a treasury of maps, pictures, charts, and drawings. This new revision
contains 76 pages of rock and mineral locations in California that can be
easily pinpointed on topographic maps published by the U.S. Geological Survey.
Not only does the third revision include all this but it also still retains
the convenient brief summary of the major rocks and minerals characteristics.
The topographic maps published by the U.S. Geological Survey are an excellent
source from which to pinpoint a rock or mineral deposit that is attributable
to a given area. The only problem an individual may encounter is that the
individual must possess the topographic map before he can pass a final decision.
An individual must also find out the legal status of the land he wishes to
survey, which is not included on these maps. What it really amounts to, is
an individual needs to know more information about the area he wishes to
survey before ordering a map from the U.S. Geological Survey. Otherwise,
the book is a good field guide for rock and mineral deposits within the state
of California." (Lapidary Journal, April
1973)
2. "In this enlarged and improved edition, James Stark is particularly
responsible for the major change, which is a series of accurate placements
on United States Geodetic Survey quadrangle maps by township and section
of minerals and special rocks of interest that are reported from these
areas. Also included is a list with brief description of 111 rare minerals
and 41 unusual rocks not before mentioned in the book, but now located in
the new sections on localities."
(Hobbies, May 1974)
3. "This book has dared to do what many another popular rock and mineral
book has failed to do because of fear that the average reader could not take
such a step, and this is to use keys for identification of kinds
of rocks and minerals. Until a rockhound learns to test both rocks and minerals
in a systematic way, which is done by using the keys, he lacks true understanding
of the subject and makes many false moves."
(Sacramento Union, April 5, 1964)
4. (Review of 1st edition) "That
the state of California is rich in minerals has been known ever since the
gold rush era. But it is not only gold that is sought, nor silver; the state
has copper, sulphur, cinnabar, iron, carnotite, and hundreds of other minerals
much sought by mining engineers, prospectors, and manufacturers. Uranium
comes to us here by way of carnotite, autinite, and torberite, and these
are now eagerly sought. But how to identify these minerals is a problem to
most laymen. Vinson Brown and David Allan have prepared a simple and elementary
guide for the layman in Rocks and Minerals of California. Here, with
52 maps and 8 full pages of excellent color photographs as well as hundreds
of illustrations in black and white, is a simple key to common California
minerals and rocks. The book teaches you how to make field tests, and
the next time you stumble on some bright green malachite in the hills, you
can safely stake out a copper claim." (Los Angeles
Times, March 1, 1956)