Geodesy (book)
Author | G. Bomford |
---|---|
Language | English |
Genre | Textbook |
Publisher | Oxford University Press |
Publication date |
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Geodesy, also called Bomford's Geodesy,[1] is a textbook on geodesy written by Guy Bomford. Four editions were published,[2] in 1952, 1962, 1971, and 1980 respectively.[a] Bomford retired in 1966, though continued publishing editions of the book.[2]
Content
[edit]This section needs expansion with: more info about foutth edition and its changes from the previous editions. You can help by adding to it. (February 2024) |
Geodesy is formatted as a textbook on the topic of geodesy, with particular emphasis on its applications to triangulation. For content on applied geodesy, it is assumed the reader can use a theodolite and a micrometer. The book also discusses the overlap between geodesy and the study of geophysics.[3]
Due to a limit on space, the first edition intentionally leaves out information on the history of geodesy, only including it when essential to understanding the current practices. In the same edition's acknowledgements, J. de Graaff-Hunter was noted for often discussing the book's content with Bomford.[3] Excluding appendices and following sections, the first edition is 391 pages long.[4]
The book's second edition included information on the tellurometer, which had been introduced after the first edition's publication, and its relevance to triangulation. This edition also covered more details on how the development of electronic computers impacted the field of geodesy. These updates brought the book more up to date in regards to technology and techniques developed since the first edition's publication.[5][6] The book's third edition was a major rewrite of the second edition, as technology including electromagnetic distance measurement, computers, and artificial satellites had advanced so far since the previous edition.[7]
The fourth and final edition was published in 1980.[8]
Reception
[edit]A review of the second edition published in the Bulletin Géodésique stated that the book was worth purchasing for those that found use of the first edition.[9] J. C. Harrison, reviewing for Science, stated that a second edition was "most welcome" to make sure the books stayed current with the changing field. The review's main complaints were that the book focused too heavily on only British perspectives, and that it downplayed the utility of magnetic surveys.[10]
Reviewing the third edition for Geophysical Journal International, A. H. Cook described the editions as "the leading work on geodesy in the English language," and reviewed the edition as "surely maintain[ing] the reputation of its predecessors." The rest of the review remained positive, concluding by describing the book as "impeccable."[1] Peter J. Smith's review in Nature focused on the differences between this edition and the prior ones, and highlighting how the third edition described the use of new technology.[11]
A positive review was published in Geological Magazine by A. H. C., who described the fourth edition as "as comprehensive and up to date as ever."[12] Some negative points were brought up in J. W. Esson's review, published in Geological Journal, which complained the book explained processes but not their importance—the review described the book as "all technique but no passion." However, Esson went on to evaluate the book as "an invaluable reference" and "an unrivalled monolith."[13]
Footnotes
[edit]- ^ See § Primary sources for a citation to every edition.
- ^ a b Cook 1971.
- ^ a b Robbins 1996.
- ^ a b Bomford 1952, Preface.
- ^ Bomford 1952.
- ^ Bomford 1962, Preface.
- ^ Jackson 1963.
- ^ Bomford 1971, Preface.
- ^ Bomford 1980.
- ^ Bulletin Géodésique 1963.
- ^ Harrison 1963.
- ^ Smith 1971.
- ^ A. H. C. 1982.
- ^ Esson 1982.
References
[edit]Primary sources
[edit]- Bomford, G. (1952). Geodesy. Oxford University Press.
- Bomford, G. (1962). Geodesy (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.
- Bomford, G. (1971). Geodesy (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press.
- Bomford, G. (1980). Geodesy (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.
Secondary sources
[edit]- A. H. C. (March 1982). "G. Bomford 1980. Geodesy. 4th edition". Geological Magazine. 119 (2): 221. doi:10.1017/S0016756800025942.
- "G. Bomford—Geodesy". Bulletin Géodésique (in French). 68 (1): 211–213. June 1963. Bibcode:1963BGeod..37..211.. doi:10.1007/BF02526154. S2CID 186215877.
- Cook, A. H. (October 1971). "Geodesy, 3rd Ed". Geophysical Journal International. 24 (2): 210. doi:10.1093/gji/24.2.210.
- Esson, J. W. (January–March 1982). "Geodesy (4th edn) by G. Bomford". Geological Journal. 17 (1): 66–67. doi:10.1002/gj.3350170108.
- Harrison, J. C. (12 April 1963). "Measuring the Earth". Science. 140 (3563): 167–168. doi:10.1126/science.140.3563.167.b.
- Jackson, J. E. (February 1963). "Geodesy". Geophysical Journal International. 7 (3): 391. doi:10.1111/j.1365-246X.1963.tb05559.x.
- Robbins, A. (October 1996). "Guy Bomford MA DSc OBE". Survey Review. 33 (262): 563–564. Bibcode:1996SurRv..33..563R. doi:10.1179/sre.1996.33.262.563.
- Smith, Peter J. (16 April 1971). "Surveying Writ Large". Nature. 230 (5294): 478. Bibcode:1971Natur.230..478S. doi:10.1038/230478a0.