This is a very readable book, aimed more at the general reader than at the undergraduate, graduate student, or scientist. It should be, however, of definite interest to the historian, for it contains a thorough listing of all suspected earthquakes in Texas from 1811 to 2000.

The book begins on a promising note with an almost gleeful confession that no one was minding the store (seismograph) during the second biggest earthquake in the recorded history of Texas. This informal almost familial tone is maintained throughout. Many of the cartoons were, in fact, drawn by the daughter of one of the authors (Frohlich). Some hands-on activities are suggested; a recipe for Earthquake cake is provided plus an outline of how geological principals apply to oppening champagne bottles a la mode francaise.

While fun, the book is nevertheless authoritative. The opening chapter contains a discussion of the mechanics of seismographs and assorted earthquakes measurement scales. Subsequent chapters deal with causes of earthquakes - whether natural or induced by human activity such as petroleum production - which is all very useful background information. The authors also discuss the rate, location, and results of the major earthquakes that have happened worldwide to emphasize their point that what makes an earthquake "bad" is not so much its magnitude on the Richter scale, but the damage it causes to human beings in terms of loss of life and dollars. For those with interest in things astronomical there is also a brief mention of tidal force-induced earthquakes on other planetary objects.

How to predict earthquakes (successfully or not) and the political ramifications of attempting to do so are also treated. Armed with new knowledge, I was disappointed to learn that the town (in Texas) where I currently reside is not and is never likely to be at the epicenter of an earthquake. I also looked up mnay of my favorite destinations in the handy index with a similar result. Even Big Bend National Park - a gold mine of varying geology and the site of great, ancient upheaval - does not make the list of places to worry about.

Of most interest to Texas historians will be the compendium which comprises more than one half of the book, accompanied by the plea: "Possibly readers of this book may know of diaries or other contemporary accounts that describe earthquakes that occurred before 1917" (p. 106). One reason for the request is that the need to distinguish between human induced and naturally occurring earthquakes in a region might exonerate well drillers. An absence of such might be just as telling. And of course, new evidence of old quakes could serve to alert us all the public, policy makers, insurers- for where there have been earthquakes before, they are more likely to occur again.

Anne M. C. Gillis

Victoria College