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)
