It's no longer surprising to see an exceptional geographer's work go unnoticed here on Amazon. This author has no more than 2 reviews of his books yet, in my opinion, he's probably the UK's best physical geographer.
I've enjoyed many of his books over the years, from introductory textbooks to esoteric subject matter covering Goudie's specialties: desert geomorphology, chemical sediments, and arid lands ecohydrology.
But given our precarious position as the most destructive species in earth's history, it may be that this ambitious 2 volume set is the most critically important of Goudie's work. It would be especially useful for both college and public libraries (amazing that my own podunk library obtained a copy). Given the current price ($65), I suggest buying it if you are studying geography and can afford it. For an abbreviated treatment written from a mosty geologic perspective, consider THE ENCYCLOPAEDIC DICTIONARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE. As of today's date this pb is under 2 dollars and a superb deal in itself.
Written from a geographer's unique perspective, the great variety of entries in this encyclopedia are prescient, include extensive citations for additional research, and document the links between the rise of our species and recent global environmental change--the bread and butter of research geography. Given the pace of changes, the only drawback will be the need for a revision in a short span of time.
