.png) Title page forGeodesy Second edition (1962) | |
| Author | G. Bomford |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Textbook |
| Publisher | Oxford University Press |
Publication date |
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Geodesy, also calledBomford's Geodesy,[1] is a textbook ongeodesy written byGuy Bomford. Four editions were published,[2] in 1952, 1962, 1971, and 1980 respectively.[a] Bomford retired in 1966, though continued publishing editions of the book.[2]
![[icon]](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=http%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aWiki_letter_w_cropped.svg) | This sectionneeds expansion with: more info about foutth edition and its changes from the previous editions. You can help byadding to it.(February 2024) |
Geodesy is formatted as a textbook on the topic of geodesy, with particular emphasis on its applications totriangulation. For content on applied geodesy, it is assumed the reader can use atheodolite and amicrometer. The book also discusses the overlap between geodesy and the study ofgeophysics.[3]
Due to a limit on space, the first edition intentionally leaves out information on thehistory of geodesy, only including it when essential to understanding the current practices. In the same edition's acknowledgements,J. de Graaff-Hunter was noted for often discussing the book's content with Bomford.[3] Excluding appendices and following sections, the first edition is 391 pages long.[4]
The book's second edition included information on thetellurometer, which had been introduced after the first edition's publication, and its relevance to triangulation. This edition also covered more details on how the development ofelectronic computers impacted the field of geodesy. These updates brought the book more up to date in regards to technology and techniques developed since the first edition's publication.[5][6] The book's third edition was a major rewrite of the second edition, as technology including electromagnetic distance measurement, computers, andartificial satellites had advanced so far since the previous edition.[7]
The fourth and final edition was published in 1980.[8]
A review of the second edition published in theBulletin Géodésique stated that the book was worth purchasing for those that found use of the first edition.[9] J. C. Harrison, reviewing forScience, stated that a second edition was "most welcome" to make sure the books stayed current with the changing field. The review's main complaints were that the book focused too heavily on only British perspectives, and that it downplayed the utility of magnetic surveys.[10]
Reviewing the third edition forGeophysical Journal International, A. H. Cook described the editions as "the leading work on geodesy in the English language," and reviewed the edition as "surely maintain[ing] the reputation of its predecessors." The rest of the review remained positive, concluding by describing the book as "impeccable."[1] Peter J. Smith's review inNature focused on the differences between this edition and the prior ones, and highlighting how the third edition described the use of new technology.[11]
A positive review was published inGeological Magazine by A. H. C., who described the fourth edition as "as comprehensive and up to date as ever."[12] Some negative points were brought up in J. W. Esson's review, published inGeological Journal, which complained the book explained processes but not their importance—the review described the book as "all technique but no passion." However, Esson went on to evaluate the book as "an invaluable reference" and "an unrivalled monolith."[13]