J. Gregory McHone

This small, attractive and informative book offers an excellent introduction to the geology and paleontology of the northeastern US state of Connecticut. Written for the general public, Connecticut in the Mesozoic World was published under the auspices of the state's Dept of Environmental Protection.

This book takes the reader through the Mesozoic Era, during which much of the state's geological character was formed. Though maps and paintings, we visit the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods, witessing how tectonic movements, volcanic eruptions, and erosion have shaped the landscape. The book is replete with photographs of current geological formations, including roadside sites where rock strata are spectacularly displayed. Throughout, information is provided about the flora and fauna of particular areas and geological periods. A CD - ROM is included that contains additional maps and photographs of locations where the reader can explore Mesozoic geology for themselves; it also includes lesson plans and other materials for teachers. While necessarily concise (at 40 pages), this book and accompanying CD contain quite a lot of information of use to the general reader.… (mer)