Descriptive Physical Oceanography, Fifth Edition
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'... This is an excellent book, maintaining and improving on the high standard of previous editions..' Ocean Challenge 1991 '...the book is a bargain. I have owned a copy of the first edition since 1968; however I intend having a copy of the fourth edition for my personal collection; I recommend that others follow suit.' Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences I have just finished teaching an introductory undergraduate survey course in physical oceanography using the new edition of Pickard's splendid book. Although I am not unprejudiced (since I have used the first edition for about four years), both editions have been a joy to use.' 'Any person wanting an introduction to the subject would do well to read this book.' Choice
Product Description
'Descriptive Physical Oceanography: An Introduction' 5th edition provides an introduction to descriptive (synoptic) physical oceanography for science undergraduates and early graduate students. There has been an updating of topics such as the heat budget, instruments (particularly the use of satellites), a complete revision of the material on equatorial oceanography, sea-ice physics and distribution and El Nino and information has been added on thermohaline circulation, mixing nad coral reef oceanography.
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First Sentence
OCEANOGRAPHY is the general name given to the scientific study of the oceans, with an emphasis on their character as an environment. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
OCEANOGRAPHY is the general name given to the scientific study of the oceans, with an emphasis on their character as an environment. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Descriptive 101: Drab but Loaded with Content
20 July 2009
Format:Paperback
Pickard & Emery (1990) is a textbook suitable for use in college courses at any level without prerequisites. It is purely descriptive, without any pretense of touching on dynamics. It excels as the first text in a two-course sequence offering descriptive, then dynamic physical oceanography.
Satellite photographs reveal descriptive physical oceanography as a changing form of modern art. Realizing this might suggest dressing up the humble appearance of Pickard & Emery (1990) with an array of new, large and colorful illustrations. This could be a mistake. It could risk raising the book's price if the present content remains. It also could risk watering down the present content to make room for new illustrations while keeping the price under control.
Anyone who thinks dynamics replaces the Pickard & Emery (1990) approach is wrong. The oceans keep changing all scales of time and space. This suggests needs for monitoring will cause descriptive physical oceanography to always be important. Humans continue to overpopulate two thirds of the world. This speeds up ocean degradation, making monitoring even more important in the future.
Pickard & Emery (1990) excels as a compact reference book independent of courses. Its audience in this role includes anyone interested in ocean water mass characteristics and movements.
I believe Pickard & Emery (1990) misses two opportunities to be more effective. First, it fails to stress evidence (some of it shocking) the oceans are changing and in desperate need of improved monitoring. Second, it fails to direct users to sources of dramatic visual aids for on-screen use or projection.
To compare Pickard & Emery (1990) with other physical oceanography textbooks, see my reviews of Introduction to Physical Oceanography by Knauss (2005), Introduction to Physical Oceanography by Mellor (2008) and Introductory Dynamical Oceanography, Second Edition by Pickard and Pond (1983).
Satellite photographs reveal descriptive physical oceanography as a changing form of modern art. Realizing this might suggest dressing up the humble appearance of Pickard & Emery (1990) with an array of new, large and colorful illustrations. This could be a mistake. It could risk raising the book's price if the present content remains. It also could risk watering down the present content to make room for new illustrations while keeping the price under control.
Anyone who thinks dynamics replaces the Pickard & Emery (1990) approach is wrong. The oceans keep changing all scales of time and space. This suggests needs for monitoring will cause descriptive physical oceanography to always be important. Humans continue to overpopulate two thirds of the world. This speeds up ocean degradation, making monitoring even more important in the future.
Pickard & Emery (1990) excels as a compact reference book independent of courses. Its audience in this role includes anyone interested in ocean water mass characteristics and movements.
I believe Pickard & Emery (1990) misses two opportunities to be more effective. First, it fails to stress evidence (some of it shocking) the oceans are changing and in desperate need of improved monitoring. Second, it fails to direct users to sources of dramatic visual aids for on-screen use or projection.
To compare Pickard & Emery (1990) with other physical oceanography textbooks, see my reviews of Introduction to Physical Oceanography by Knauss (2005), Introduction to Physical Oceanography by Mellor (2008) and Introductory Dynamical Oceanography, Second Edition by Pickard and Pond (1983).
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
good PO text
4 Jan 2007
Format:Paperback
Good book, however I found its pair Dynamical Oceanography by Pond to be more helpful and informative.
0 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Excellent text book
3 Sep 2008
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This text supplements our lab very well, its a great book that will come in handy after class.
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