Author Institution:  Ohio Dept of Natural Resources, Division of Geolog

Shrake, Douglas L.

The Ohio Journal of Science

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BOOK REVIEWRoadside Geology of Ohio. Mark J. Camp. 2006. MountainPress Publishing Company, Missoula, MT. 410 p. $25.00paperback (ISBN: 0-87842-524-1).Roadside Geology of Ohio is University of Toledo Geology ProfessorDr. Mark Camp’s second book in Mountain Press’s Roadside Geologyseries. The series’ six-by-nine-inch paperback format and vision-friendly text and graphics make the books easy to use while traveling.Instead of chapters in a book or a map in an atlas, books in this seriesfeature driving routes within a book’s featured state, such as “I-71:Columbus to Cincinnati” in Roadside Geology of Ohio. In Camp’sbook, each route has an overview map, usually with several geologic orhistoric features labeled on it (e.g., the western Ohio quarry thatsupplied Ohio’s representative building stone in the WashingtonMonument), and a few pages describing the geology along the route.If you have forgotten what you learned about geology in high schoolor college, Camp has included a 33-page introductory overview of somegeologic concepts, particularly those relative to the geologic history ofOhio. The author, however, avoids using excessive technical jargon inthe guide. Although many readers skip the preface of a book, thisreviewer encourages reading the preface to Roadside Geology of Ohio.In less than four pages, Camp explains how he divided the state intofour regions based roughly on the geology present in each region. MarkCamp is also interested in Ohio’s history. This book is a very nice blendof both his passions, capturing the essence of Ohio’s geology andgeology’s role in Ohio’s history and development.The four geographic regions that Camp describes are: “WesternOhio–The Till Plains” (pp. 34-147), “Ohio Uplands–The AlleghenyPlateau” (pp. 148-303), “Lakeshore Ohio” (pp. 304-341), and “TheOhio Valley–A Product of the Ice Age” (pp. 342-379). For eachgeographic region, Camp expands on his introductory overview ofgeology by including a discussion on the geology, bedrock formations,and ice age deposits and features specific to the region, as well as geologicand historic events significant to the region. In the “Road Guide”section of each region, travelers can find answers to their questionsabout which type of rock lies beneath the road or is exposed in a roadcut.There is not an overview map showing all of the route locations;instead, the 25 separate roadside routes featured in the book are listedunder the “Road Guide” subheading within their respective geographicregions listed in the “Contents” (pp. v-vi). In addition to a route’s mapand text, there are numerous sidebars on points of geologic, historic,and economic interest that are quickly accessible or visible from mostof the routes. This well-illustrated book has numerous historic andpresent-day black-and-white photographs highlighting Ohio’s variablegeology and how geology played a role in the state’s development. Themaps of the roadside geology routes and the figures and diagrams usedthroughout the book are rendered in an easy to use muted, multicolorformat, and the roadside maps are clearly labeled with text identifyingvarious geologic features or points of interest. In addition to theaforementioned textural and pictorial features, the book includes aglossary (which, in this reviewer’s opinion, would be more helpful ifterms were highlighted within the guide’s text), a list of additionalreading material, and a thorough index.This reviewer has two chief complaints regarding the book. Thefirst is that the geologic features or points of interest indicated on theroutes are not linked to mileage markers or distance traveled. Linkingroute elements to mile markers or distance traveled would make thisgenerally user-friendly guide even better. The second is the lack ofcitations for both figures and information used throughout the bookto describe Ohio’s geology. Granted the lack of citations is part of whatmakes the book easy to read, but along with Camp’s list of “AdditionalReading,” it would make the book a much more useful resource if hehad included a list of publications used while writing the book. Eventhough using citations would slightly diminish Camp’s succinctdescriptions and discussions of Ohio’s geology, it would allow inquisitivereaders to more efficiently obtain additional information on an aspectof Ohio’s geology that interests them.Overall, this book will be a valuable asset to anyone living in orvisiting Ohio who wants to make traveling through the state bothentertaining and educational. Unfortunately, proper use of the guiderequires at least two people, one to read the book and another to drive.Those interested in purchasing Roadside Geology of Ohio cancontact Mountain Press at http://mountain-press.com/ or  call (406)-728-1900. The book is also available through the Ohio Division ofGeological Survey,  E-mail:  geo.survey@dnr.state.oh.us;  on the webat http://www.ohiodnr.com/geosurvey/; or call (614)-265-6576.DOUGLAS L. SHRAKE, PGOhio Department of Natural Resources,Division of Geological Survey2045 Morse Rd C-2Columbus, OH 43229-6693E-mail:  doug.shrake@dnr.state.oh.ushttp://www.ohiodnr.com/geosurvey

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