Rocks and Minerals, Nov/Dec 2001
They say that you can't tell a book by its cover. To test this hypothesis, let's compare New Minerals 1990-1994 with its sequel, New Minerals 1995-1999. In most series of a scientific nature, the format is continued from volume to volume. Superficially, such is not the case here. Although both references are paperbacks, the original is in 6 x 9-inch format with a black-and-white cover featuring a line drawing of the mineral gaultite. The sequel, in larger 6 5/8 x 9 1/4 inch format, sports a color cover featuring a dramatic photograph of andyrobertsite, arguably the most strikingly beautiful new mineral described during the period.
Looking inside, the reader sees that the respective cover pages suggest the reason for the different outward appearance. New Minerals 1990-1994 was published by the Mineralogical Record, Inc., whereas New Minerals 1995-1999 was published by the Mineralogical Association of Canada. The author of both, however, is the same, Joseph A. Mandarino, who for twelve years served as chairman of the International Mineralogical Association's Commission on New Minerals and New Mineral Names. Since retiring from that post, Dr. Mandarino has been publishing abstracts of new mineral descriptions in the Mineralogical Record. These meticulously prepared abstracts typically improve upon the published descriptions by correcting errors, augmenting data, and adding crystal drawings based upon reported crystal forms. Both volumes are compilations of these abstracts and, as such, differ only cosmetically in their presentation.
In the publishing business, however, appearances are very important, so it is worth noting that the sequel benefits from a marginally improved layout and heavier weight paper. The latter significantly improves readability by preventing bleed-through from the reverse side of the pages.
The content and utility of both books are excellent, and I highly recommend them. A detailed review of the first was published in 1998 (Rocks & Minerals 73:65), so there is little need to go into more detail here. As for the cover cliche quoted above, in general it holds true. Most will find the cover of the sequel more compelling, and I hope that will encourage sales of this very worthy book. On the downside, the beautiful cover photograph suggests incorrectly that the reader will find more of the same inside. This is not a book for those who love minerals simply for their beauty. It is for those who relish succinct, accurate, and complete mineral descriptions.
-Anthony R. Kampf
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