The Physics of Blown Sand and Desert Dunes (Dover Earth Science)

Less than 5 minutes ago I placed my order for a copy of the Dover reprint of this classic first published in 1954. Although much research has been done since then, Bagnold is still an essential reference, and I for one am elated to know that it is available. Bagnold wrote from the vantage point of an engineer who had lived in and pioneered travel in deserts considered to be impassable. Because of this the book is not only sound from a technical viewpoint (engineer), but also from the viewpoint of a man who had "been there and done that."The science of Geomorphology is being stretched in new directions today. Originally Geomorphology (Physiography) was essentially a purely descriptive science. Today application to the real world - environmental, engineering - and detailed understanding of the underlying physical and chemical processes are the active areas. Bagnold's approach was totally in keeping with today's emphasis. Application of his intimate knowledge of the Libian desert proved to be invaluable to the British Army in World War II, a topic discussed in another Bagnold book "Libian Sands: Travel in a Dead World".I first encountered this book some 50 years ago as an undergraduate geology student, and was at that time overwhelmed by the comprehensive observation and research on which the book is based as well as the readable style. In a few weeks I will be teaching a course in Geomorphology, a topic I have used in mineral exploration over the past few decades, but which I have not approached from an academic viewpoint in nearly half a century. In approaching the topic one of my early thoughts was that I needed to locate a copy of Bagnold. My first thought was that I'd locate a used copy - probably one discarded by a librarian who could read the date of publication but was ignorant of the relevance even today of this work. Thanks to Dover the book is not only available, but available at a reasonable price.

This is a very technical book, but I enjoyed reading it as study on the pursuit of knowledge. I found it referenced in a travel book: Sahara Unveiled, by William Langewiesche. The author calls The Physics of Blown Sand .."a masterpiece of scientific exploration.... that remains the standard today...". He says, "Bagnold's genius was his ability to think grain by grain". But the book posits, and answers, bigger questions: where does sand come from, how do dunes migrate, why does sand accumulate in dunes, why do they make sounds, how high does sand fly in a fierce wind storm, what is sand and what is dust, how do dune patterns propagate for hundreds of miles.... You don't have to go to the Sahara or the Gobi to wonder, just head over to the nearest beach or riverbank to be as fascinated as Bagnold became in the 1930s.

My interest in this book stems from two things: (1) as a hobby (I am an arenophile) , and (2) by occupation. I am a materials engineer who specializes on friction and wear (a 'tribologist'). Particles play a role in friction and wear, so their motions and physics helps to explain, for example, certain types of abrasive behavior and lubricated friction in which the oil contains hard particles like grit or wear debris. I agree entirely with prior reviews that this book is a must have for those with an interest in the motions of hard particles. While dated, the discussion of the motions and physics of sand particles is quite readable and provides intriguing insights, phenomena that many of us have observed and wondered about without taking the time to dig into the subject (pun intended).Bagnold's work is an excellent introduction and the price is excellent for such a unique monograph. ... Those were the days when people did real experiments in a laboratory or in the field instead of sitting front of a computer and only imagining what might happen. Buy it!

I intend to study this when I have the time, but even if I didn't it has to be in the library of any engineer who likes to offroad for a hobby in the Sahara (I am an Egyptian living in Egypt). The Brits came as invaders to my country which it still suffers from it till this day, BUT Brigadier Bagnold wasn't only a man of war, he was also a man of science and intrigued in nature in ways that commands respect.

Bagnold is both a scientist who understands the scientific method and a writer who clearly makes both the science and the math very easy to understand. the interact of wind with sand and dust explains more than we expect, e.g. why does wind pick up sand but not dust unless the dust is disturbed by something like you walking on it.Even though this book is old, it is important, it belongs with roger penrose's the road to reality and richard feynman's lectures on physics.

This is a classic. When I saw it had been re-published I immediately ordered it. If you are interested in wind blown sedimentary features and dune formation, get this book. It came brand new in paperback in just a few days.

This a well written scientific book. If you're only curious how sand behaves, this book will put you in a sand trap of information. Only the serious should consider it. The premis starts simple then gradually and unswervingly drags you into complexity. Force yourself and you can finish it.

This book, though dated, contains a lot of good information on the movement of sand. This provides a good beginning for someone interested in this subject. there is a newer book on the same subject that provides the results of more recent experiments and analyses of sand movement.

Admittedly a fairly old book, but surprisingly easy to understand. For someone who is just interested in the subject, without having to become an expert in the mechanics of dunes, it is a perfect starting title.

This is an eminently approachable book. The reader is taken carefully into the fascinating subject of blown sand by a military gentleman who was stationed in the Egyptian desert for a considerable time. I suggest that this is a book for a wide readership and not just those engineers and scientists interested in particle-bearing media. It is still relevant, although written some 75 years ago. It was followed by very influential publications in the 1950s

Sehr interessantes Fachbuch, insbesondere wenn man sich, wie ich, mit der Mikroskopie von Sanden beschäftigt, eine hoch interessante Welt voller prachtvoller Bilder.Buch im Neuzustand,sofortige Lieferung