Rosenshein JS and Moore JE | History of the development of hydrogeology in the United States, 2nd edition

2012 | National Ground Water Association Press, Westerville, Ohio | 200 pages | USD 50.00, Member price $40.00 | ISBN 1-56034-021-5 | Order online at www.ngwa.org/bookstore or phone +1-614-898-7791

This book by authors Rosenshein and Moore, who are retired USGS hydrologists, can be regarded as the second edition of Two Hundred Years of Hydrogeology in the United States published in 1986. That first edition covered the period 1776–1976. This new edition, History of the Development of Hydrogeology in the United States, continues to track the development of hydrogeology from 1776 up until 2010 (Fig. 1). It provides a comprehensive perspective on the development of the science and explores many aspects of hydrogeology not previously discussed.

Fig. 1

Cover image of History of the Development of Hydrogeology in the United States, 2nd Edition, by Joseph S. Rosenshein and John E. Moore

The book includes all the papers contained in the first edition and expands the discussion of the Meinzer Era and Modern Era to bring the volume up to date. A detailed table underscores the very important stages and events in the development of hydrogeology in the United States. The authors have added new sections to this edition that re-examine many aspects such as hydrologic education, groundwater contamination, chemical hydrology and the influence of professional societies.

The book fills a void in the hydrogeologic literature and in the reviewer’s perspective every student hydrogeologist should be encouraged to read this book. Every professional hydrologist and engineering hydrologist should have a historical understanding and appreciation of the development of the science in the United States and are encouraged to ask for a copy of this book in their library.