Good caving coffee table book for geologist friend?

nobrotson

Active member
I have a geologist friend who I want to give a book about caves and caving to as a present. He understands karst but not to a great extent. The kind of book I am after is one which has great photos in and is attractive to look at (coffee table style) but also contains enough scientific information that it is interesting to someone with doctoral training in geology. Not just scientific information about how caves form but also about biology etc, along with some information about the process of exploring cave systems, would be ideal. A book which covers a number of different karst regions from around the world (tropical, alpine, UK, non-limestone karst) would be ideal. Can anyone recommend anything? Or do I have to start writing one...
 

zendog

New member
Not quite on topic but this is a great book. Some of the images are stunning.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Darkness-Beckons-History-Development-Diving/dp/1910240745/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=history+of+cave+diving&qid=1554490355&s=gateway&sr=8-1
 

nobrotson

Active member
I've been debating whether to get this book or possibly the Berger Book for him instead actually, since the only book that sort of matches what I described are 'Great Caves of the World' by TW, which I feel is not appropriate because it is a bit too basic in its language etc. Another possibility I considered was Cave and Karst of the Yorkshire Dales but I'm not sure if that would be overkill and also too specific for someone who isn't a UK caver/karst scientist to be interested in.
 

Kenilworth

New member
Karst Geology by Art Palmer is a beautiful book with a wide range. While there isn't much about exploration included, it illustrates that caves are complex and attractive and worth exploring. There is lots of accessible but in-depth science, lots of illustration. Of course, it's a US book but deals with caves all over the world.

Cave Minerals of the World, Hill and Forti, is also a science-rich book that is a joy to look at and read.
 

Kenilworth

New member
paul said:
Lechuguilla: Jewel of the Underground by Urs Widmer

It can't be beat for pretty pictures. It really isn't about caves or caving at all though is it? I make sure to never show that book to friends who haven't been caving yet.
 

cfmwh

Member
Little bit dated now, but Caves by Tony (Waltham) has a fair bit of sciencey stuff and a lot of good photos in. Hardcover copy on Amazon atm for ?6.50
 
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