Best, M. G. 2003. Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology,: 2nd ed. xxi + 729 pp. Oxford Blackwell Science. Price £34.50 (paperback). ISBN 1 405 10588 7.

Having used the first edition of Best as an excellent petrology text to teach with for about the last ten years, I was very keen to see how this new edition compares. First it comes in softback to keep the price down, but I might have preferred hardback for durability. The chapter contents are similar to the first edition, but the materials, examples and references have all been …