' ... is really valuable and useful. It is not only a reference book but moreover a complete and rigorous study treatise, indispenssable for all prsons who need to learn about iron and its compounds, including the organic complexes and microbiological reactions. It plainly satisfies these aims and should be compulsory reading for university and research institute libraries. It is valuable for any scientist related with soil science, geology, sedimentology, geochemistry, mineralogy, or, more in general, anybody connected with the geosciences. It also provides a very good, up to date revision of iron literature up to 1987 and is, therefore, a rich source of information.' Geoderma, 47:1