The updated and larger Third Edition (458 pages compared to 341 of 2nd ed.) has 15 chapters grouped in four sections: I. the Periglacial Domain, II. Present-Day Periglacial Environments, III. Quaternary and Late-Pleistocene Periglacial Environments, and IV. Applied Periglacial Geomorphology; section II is by far the largest with seven chapters and 234 pages. With c. 1350 references to 2006 this an ‘up-to-date’ volume. It is reasonably easy to read, easy to find information, with many figures and photographs. Each chapter has “Advanced Reading” suggestions at the end together with “Discussion Topics” presumably aimed at helping focus thought and/or classroom discussion. It is an interesting reflection on advances (or the absence thereof) in periglacial research that several discussion topics remain the same as those in the 1996 (2nd) edition.
It is clear that there is more detail and confidence in the writing where the author is dealing with his own expertise (notably permafrost, permafrost-related topics and applied aspects), and less so in other areas (notably weathering and weathering-related landforms and sediments). Indeed, it is within weathering that I found some of the greatest weaknesses. The concept of “thermal fatigue” is not mentioned at all, only thermal shock, within the framework of thermal stress and “Insolation Weathering”, but it is very encouraging indeed to see the start of some questioning of the ubiquitous application and assumption of the freeze-thaw concept. However, one is still told that (p. 61) “…an exposure of shattered fissile sandstone is almost certainly the result of frost action..” but there yet to be a single field instance of proving (rather than assuming/speculating) weathering was actually the result of freeze-thaw and, equally, that no other processes played a role. That said, the overall presentation does offer new insights and opens the way for new thinking on these topics and thus the volume does, especially for the undergraduate audience, do a good job; the criticisms reflect my personal frustrations regarding the present state of weathering research. Perhaps that would be my biggest concern for undergraduate use - it provides a good, solid, well-referenced text for the undergraduate but does not really (for a number of topics) “step outside of the box” and suggest either how little we really know or encourage us to question some of our long-cherished concepts. This is clearly the case with respect to “nivation/cryoplanation” - with (interestingly) the Index citation for ‘Nivation benches’ indicating “see cryoplanation terraces”. Indeed, while there are a couple of pages on ‘Cryoplanation’ (p. 244–246) ‘Nivation’ per se does not even warrant a sub-section heading but rather is noted within the sections 9.2.2 Rectilinear Debris-Mantled Slopes, 9.2.5 Stepped Profiles, and 9.6 Slopewash. None of this reflects the recent questioning regarding these two concepts and the almost total absence of any data from ‘cryoplanation’ terraces or actual testing of the cryoplanation concept.
It is always easy to find fault but, at this time, there are no other up-to-date periglacial texts available and this one does do a good job. Graduate students would also find this a very valuable resource for a broad-based background on almost every periglacial topic (the biggest absence would be that of periglacial processes and landforms on other planets for which there is a growing body of literature) and offer sufficient literature resources to allow follow-up into more detailed studies. Thus I strongly recommend this volume, even for those who already have the 2nd ed., and suggest it will continue to be the recommended text.
