Drake, E. T., and W. M. Jordan, eds. 1985. Geologists and Ideas: A History of North American Geology. Boulder, CO: Geological Society of America.

McPhee, J. 1981. Basin and Range. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

This is one of several outstanding books about geology written for the layman by John McPhee.

Moores, E. M., ed. 1990. Shaping the Earth: Tectonics of Continents and Oceans. New York: W. H. Freeman and Company.

Nuhfer, E. B., R. J. Proctor, and P.H. Moser. 1993. The Citizens Guide to Geologic Hazards. Arvada, CO: American Institute of Professional Geologists.

Officer, C. B. and J. Page. 1993. Tales of the Earth: Paroxysms and Perturbations of the Blue Planet. New York: Oxford University Press.

Pirsig, R. M. 1974. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. New York: Bantam Books (paperback).

This book contains an exceptionally good exposition of the scientific method as well as considerable insight into philosophy of science.

Rhodes, F. H. T., and R.O. Stone, eds. 1981. Language of the Earth. New York: Pergamon Press.