Rocks and Trees

ABBEY'S BOOKSELLER PICK ----- Subtitled 'a photographic journey through the rich and varied geology scenery and flora of the Sydney region' this beautifully produced book is a labour of love. Martyn is a geologist, and his love and enthusiasm for the rocks underpinning our region and the plant communities different soil profiles support is evident. The extensive photographs are clear and when he explains the different strata these are traced over the image so you know what you are looking at precisely. Every page is illustrated, and there is a geologic timeline running along the leftside edge of the double spread, so the reader can place the photographed rocks in context. You don't need to be a geologist to appreciate the text, as there is a good glossary at the back if you need to check on terms. As for the 'trees' part of the title, there are numerous photographs of floristic communities, individual trees, and other plants and wildflowers. This is a delightful book to look at, informative, enthusiastic and one that any botanist or geologist - amateur, trained, or generally interested! - should have. Lindy Jones