Atlantic Coast Beaches: A Guide to Ripples, Dunes and Other Natural Features of the Seashore

Neal (geology, Grand Valley State U., Michigan), Pilkey (environmental and earth sciences, Duke U.), and Kelley (marine geology, U. of Maine) offer a layperson's guide to the geological features of beaches along the Atlantic Coast, from Maine to Florida. Topics addressed include beach movement in response to waves, wind, tide, and currents; ocean movement; what sand is and how it is modified traveling to the shore and by beach processes; beach shape; learning to read a beach; what can be learned from shells; dunes and winter beaches; and the impact of humans on beaches. Illustrated throughout with b&w photographs and diagrams. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

William J. Neal is professor emeritus and past chairman of the Department of Geology at Grand Valley State University in Michigan. As a sedimentologist he has been involved in coastal studies since the 1970s. In 1993 he received (with) Orrin H. Pilkey the American Geological Institute's Award for Outstanding Contribution to Public Understanding of Geology. Orrin H. Pilkey and Joseph T. Kelley are contributing authors.