Published by admin June 4th, 2009
in Reviews, New books and Lakeland.
Review at mlta.co.uk by Rachael Hinchliffe:
Seeing this new book on my desk took me back to the hours I spent last year poring over the previous volume, “RockTrails Snowdonia” in preparation for my MIA Assessment. I shouldn’t really admit this, but my brain doesn’t really ‘do’ geology. Paul Gannon seemed to appreciate my problem and the language/terminology used in the last volume was easily digested for regurgitation on Assessment day! The other part of the book I loved was the section on how man has shaped the landscape we see today; a theme which is continued into this new Lakeland setting.
Paul’s latest, RockTrails Lakeland is part geology lesson and part walking guide, describing the processes by which the Lake District was formed and highlighting the geological and other formative features along a series of walks.
This edition adopts the same 2 part format as the previous book. The first section records the process by which the landscape was formed, what sorts of rocks were created and how to recognise signs of mountain-building and glaciation on the fells and in the valleys. The second part of the book describes 15 walks ranging from easy to challenging with revealing views of the Lakeland geology.
Paul admits to simplifying the terminology and technical jargon and whilst this is great for me, someone with more relevant knowledge might find it overly simplistic. However, this is not just a science book; the descriptive language is both precise and evocative. The book is packed with excellent photos, used effectively to illustrate technical features as well as scenic landscapes.
The feature I most like about this book is its ability to make the walker appreciate and understand the landscape rather than just travelling through it, almost like having a real live geologist to accompany you on your journeys through the magnificent Lakeland scenery.
Published by admin May 1st, 2009
in New books and Lakeland.
Published by Paul Gannon December 24th, 2007
in Reviews and Snowdonia.
‘I look forward to taking this book with me on any future trips to North Wales’, Emily Rodway, TGO magazine.’A cracking little book’, Mal Creasey, MLTE newsletter.
‘Allows even the most familiar landscape to be seen through a fresh perspective’, Colin Wells, Climb magazine.
Since it was released in March 2008 Rock Trails Snowdonia has rapidly become a very popular book with hillwalkers, climbers and those with an interest in geology and scenery of Britain’s wonderful mountain landscapes. The plain, straightforward language conveys the fascinating story behind the area’s fearsome geological history with fiercely violent volancoes and massive glaciers. Now author Paul Gannon has written another easy to understand hillwalker’s guide to the geology and scenery of Lakleland. Both books are aimed directly at the average hillwalker. Simple plain writing makes geology a straightforward subject for everyone. The author introduces the basic concepts of plate tectonics, volcanoes, mountain-building and glaciation and how they have shaped the landscape. The Lakeland book includes 15 guided walks on much loved fells including Scafell Pike, Great Gable, Helvellyn, Langdale Pikes, Pike o’ Blisco, Bowfell, High Street, Whiteside, Catbells and other scenic spots such as Derwentwater and Wastwater.
Author Paul Gannon says ’Writing a book is a long-term process. It all starts with an idea. I love walking in the hills and mountains and, ever since studying geography at school, I’ve loved finding out more about why the mountains look like they do. But geology is always such a difficult subject to get a grip of. Its scientific language may allow for precision, but it also presents a major barrier to wider understanding. So my idea was to approach the subject, not as a geologist, but as a walker. What explains the landforms I can see when I’m out walking is what interests me.’
