Planetology: Unlocking the Secrets of the Solar System (ISBN 1426201214)

This May be the Perfect Book!:
We've all seen the term "visually stunning" in various reviews for books and movies before, but rarely have I seen such a perfect example. For anyone who's looking for a last minute gift idea for a "science nut," I have the perfect answer. Whether you (or your intended recipient) are into volcanolgy, geology, space science, earth science, art, or natural history, "Planetology" by Tom Jones and Ellen Stofan is the perfect gift. The book is absolutely stunning - the images are breathtaking, and the text is fascinating. It's written in a clear, concise, easy to understand format, and gives you a whole new look at our solar system. The authors have taken a new approach toward discussing the solar system. Rather than a "solar system by numbers" approach (i.e., Chapter One - The Sun; Chapter 2 - Mercury; etc.), they have taken different geologic processes (volcanoes, water erosion, etc.) and explored how these are manifested throughout the solar system. The book also includes some anecdotes from Tom's shuttle missions, which are an added bonus. All in all, I can't say enough good about this book. Don't have anyone who's a science enthusiast on your list? Get it for yourself! Actually, trust me, and get it for yourself anyway!

Christmas gift:
This was bought as a Christmas gift for someone who loves astronomy. I'd never heard of this book but was impressed with the description and automatically assumed that it'd be good since it's a National Geographic publication. The only reason I gave it 4 stars is because I didn't physically look through the book since it was sent directly to the recipient's home. It's the day after Christmas and I've not yet asked him what he thinks of it.