Dear Conchlers,

I would like to announce the publication of a new book on the geologic
history of Alabama (southeastern USA): "Lost Worlds in Alabama Rocks." It's
not a book on fossils per se, rather a book on the changing environments
that one area has experienced through millions of years. Of course, there
are a good number of shells and other fossils in it, and it will be of
interest to those who plan to collect fossils here. But what I'd like to
focus on is the way that the book was envisioned and published, since that
may give people ideas on how to produce their own books.

Jim Lacefield is a high-school science teacher whose interest in geology and
paleontology led him to write a doctoral dissertation in Education on the
teaching of earth science in Alabama. Writing a preliminary version of "Lost
Worlds" was part of his dissertation. By sheer persistence, Jim overcame the
administrative headaches resulting from the Education Department's
unfamiliarity with writing a textbook as a dissertation. (Strange, isn't
it?)

The book is designed for easy reading by high-schoolers (or bright
middle-schoolers) to adults, and can be used as an adjunct text in earth
science classes. I don't have to tell you how badly that is needed in this
state, where the battle over teaching evolution has never been resolved to
anyone's satisfaction. Jim's book is written tautly and includes more than
300 new, colored figures in a text about 125 pages long. The content is
up-to-date and covers such topics as the Wetumpka Astrobleme, the K-T
boundary section at Moscow Landing, the fight over the endangered Alabama
sturgeon, the Union Chapel Mine trackway site, the lost platelet discovered
in the Argentine Precordillera, and recent environmental change.

By publishing "Lost Worlds" in a small first printing (2000 copies) through
the local geological society, the price could be set at a minimum. For the
Alabama Geological Society, which had never undertaken such an ambitious
project before, it's a great step forward. (For purchasing information, see
the Society's website and scroll down to the book announcement:
http://www.westga.edu/~geology/algs_web/ala_gs.html )

Jim does not expect to profit from this project financially, but it did form
a major part of his dissertation and it will undoubtedly gain him some local
notoriety. It was essentially a labor of love.

The book, which took about seven years from start to finish, gradually
involved many of the geologists and most of the paleontologists working in
the state. We answered his questions, suggested additional material and
localities, helped to locate copyright-free graphics, and reviewed the text.
We are gratified to have a book that can satisfy citizens' and visitors'
curiosity, and are well aware that this will save us time in answering
information requests. For us, the time spent was cost-effective.

For the local amateur society, "Lost Worlds" is also intensely gratifying.
Jim's photos include many taken on field trips of the Birmingham
Paleontological Society. Nearly all the people shown in the book's photos
are of amateur paleontologists. Now these people are excitedly talking about
the environments that their fossils were deposited in -- an aspect that some
of the members were hazy about before.

Thus, Jim ... DR. Lacefield eventually involved many of the amateur and
professional paleontologists in the state, one way or another, in the
production of his book. The amateurs are becoming more professional and the
professionals are paying more attention to the needs of ordinary people.
It's a good thing.

Andrew K. Rindsberg

Curator, Paleontological Collection
Geological Survey of Alabama
P.O. Box 869999
Tuscaloosa, AL 35486-6999
USA