This is a big book with 1224 pages; 85 chapters in seven sections; two appendices, a 20-page index; 140 contributing authors (predominantly Canadian, reflecting publication by the Canadian Society of Soil Science); two or more editors for each section; and two external reviewers for each chapter. It is authoritative, covering soil analysis in the broadest sense, as indicated by the section titles: Soil sampling and handling; Diagnostic methods for soil and environmental management; Soil chemical analyses; Soil biological analyses; Soil organic matter analyses; Soil physical analyses; and Soil water analyses. All the chapters retained from the first edition have been updated and others added.

Each method is described in detail for any suitably equipped laboratory; materials and reagents, experimental procedure and calculations are presented in full. Introductory notes and references set the methods in context. Details of sophisticated analytical instruments (ICP-MS, ICP-AES, isotope ratio MS, etc.) are not given – it is implicit that these are operated in dedicated laboratories, but full details of relevant sample preparation are given, along with a critical commentary on the merits or otherwise of the different methods. The two appendices cover topics applicable to the whole book – site description and laboratory safety.

Although described as ‘methods of analysis’, this book describes much more than how to quantify element X or molecular species Y in soil. Many of the described procedures are approaches to characterizing the overall biological or physical nature of soils. Examples are potential or actual denitrification where the capacity for or net rate of a complex biologically mediated process is determined under controlled conditions. Here the critical commentaries are particularly useful, detailing the strengths and weaknesses of each approach and how the results may relate to field conditions.

In summary, despite its size, this book is a valuable vade mecum for any soil science laboratory.