Intended to challenge new students and provide a solid foundation for more advanced students, this set offers information in an encyclopedic format on the concepts, theories, discoveries, pioneers, and issues relating to topics in the earth sciences. It is the latest in a series that includes World of Genetics [RBB Je 1 & 15 03] and World of Chemistry (Gale, 2000). Contributors and their affiliations are listed at the beginning of volume 1. The set includes approximately 650 entries, from Abyssal plains to Zeolite. Students will appreciate the clearly written articles as well as the fact that special attention is placed on current ethical, legal, and social issues pertaining to the earth sciences, such as pollution, global warming, and ozone depletion.Each of the entries ranges in length from a few paragraphs to a few pages. The table of contents provides an alphabetical listing for all of the entries but does not indicate on which page they are found nor in which volume. Within each entry, boldface terms direct readers to related entries, and each entry concludes with a list of see also references. Approximately 150 to 200 black-and-white photographs and illustrations are included throughout the text. In addition, at the center of each volume are eight pages of color plates that are referenced throughout the text. Volume 2 concludes with a list of sources consulted that includes books, periodicals, and Internet sites. Volume 2 also contains a chronology that lists milestones in human scientific achievement or observation from prehistory to 2002 as well as a general index.Although students and the general public will appreciate having all of this accessible, easy-to read information on both concepts and individuals in one collection, some of the information is available in other Gale resources, such as Notable Scientists from 1900 to the Present (2001), that many libraries may already own. Recommended for college and high-school libraries or any public library that has a large science collection. RBBCopyright © American Library Association.