The first edition of this book appeared at the end of 1942. Since that time war and post-war readjustment has forcibly demonstrated the extent to which the materials of the mineral kingdom constitute the backbone of industrial life and peace-time economic development of nations. Former bountiful supplies now show serious depletion, and nations of the world are looking farther and farther afield for those miiieral supplies necessary to their subsistence. This book deals with' such mineral deposits, how they are formed, what they are, how and where they occur, and what they are used for. Its chief purpose is as a textbook, designed both for elementary and more advanced courses. The first edition was in demand also as a source of information to all those interested in mineral deposits and in the mineral industry. <...>

The young Mary Shelley prophesied that science would create a monster that would forever breach it from society. In the XX century, this Cassandra prophecy seems to have come true. A scientific approach to man, mankind and nature has led to a huge bloody attempt to reshape all by which this century will be memorable.

What should geotechnical engineers be able to do and how should they acquire these skills? J. Atkinson
New generation geo-engineering
F.B.J. Barends
Teaching rock mechanics in the classroom and on the UNI-Nettuno Network
G.Barla
Personal reflections on the teaching of soil mechanics J.B. Burland
Geotechnical engineering collaboration between clients, consultants, contractors and universities: A European perspective M. Devriendt
Engineering geology at University Complutense of Madrid: 30 years of postgraduate courses
L.I. Gonzalez de Vallejo & M. Ferrer

This study of five semiarid valleys emphasizes the importance of physical properties of sediment in determining streamchannel shape and differences in the mechanics of erosion and deposition between areas. Prerequisites for selection of the five areas were a progressive decrease in the percent silt-clay in stream channels and banks, active aggradation or erosion within a reach of the stream channel, and nearly uniform lithology within each drainage basin.