To a Rocky Moon: A Geologist's History of Lunar Exploration

by Don E. Wilhelms

Book by Don E. Wilhelms

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Geology, Space

477 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Amandayvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writer is filled with rightful angst for at the time of it's publication, the limited photos from the Apollo era were the only solid coverage of the moon. It is my understanding that there is now a high definition lunar orbiter and 100% photo coverage of the moon. I would be interested in the author's opinion of related new advancements. Question of volcanism/impact does not seem satisfyingly answered in this book. Could all volcanism have been the result of impact melting or were there processes, say radioactive decay, which could have heated up material enough for it's own site-limited melting to form more traditional volcanoes?

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book that lies at the intersection of Geology Nerd Avenue and Apollo Geek Lane.

[Bikerider99 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent geology and engineering references for Earth's moon. College level reading.

[Steve Van Slyke · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who minored in geology in college but never used it professionally, I loved it. It's amazing how much they were able to deduce before the landings and the level of detail that they went to make geologic maps based on the knowledge gained from all six landings. The view into the political side of moon geology was also interesting. It whetted my appetite for the results of the Lunar Reconnaisance Orbiter (LRO) mission, and hopefully future manned missions to continue the geologic study of the moon.