11.02.2008John Macadam / Earthwords, geologist & writer
11.02.2008
Below are extracts from some reviews. I'll happily supply a photocopy of any review.
Brown End Quarry
" .... information boards. These are colourful, eye-catching, and graphic ...... " Eric Robinson, Geology Today, 20.5, September - October 2004.
"It has to be said, the Brown End Quarry
geological trail is clever! Possibly too clever but only time will tell.
John Macadam has done a superb job in the production of the leaflet and also in
the interpretation boards that are sited around the quarry.
............. the interpretation is clever, very clever." Chris Darmon, Down to Earth,
December 2004.
"This is an excellent example of the development of a geological nature reserve with numerous features. There are several information panels, exposed faces, trails and fossil collecting areas." Good Quarry website (University of Leeds)
Bodmin Moor - 400 million years in the making
"Now Bodmin Moor gets the Macadam Treatment
No, this is not the latest road scheme, nor massive bitumen covered carpark! The
'Macadam' here comes in the human form of John Macadam, prolific author of
Cornish geological booklets. ..... John has
produced a guide that is an excellent guide to the geology of the moor,
but it is also far more, you'll learn much about the human history of the moor
and even something of its legends. ......
Once again Cornwall leads the way in the provision of clear,
easy to read and understand geological publications. If only other places
would follow suit! ..." Chris Darmon, Down to Earth,
May 2003.
"'Bodmin Moor - 400 million years in the making" is the title of a beautifully produced leaflet ... Skilfully weaving the geological story of Bodmin Moor, with other aspects of nature, and the human activity ..... A Cornish abstract is available for those of you versed in this ancient language." Geology Today, 20.1, January - February 2004.
"A highly commended piece of work, very professionally designed and carefully aimed at the intended tourist and visitor market. The decision to make versions in a number of languages is most definitely to be encouraged." ENI Geological Challenge judges (Professor Richard Fortey, NHM, Dr John Bell, ENI, & Chris Darmon, DTE, quoted in Down to Earth, March 2004.
The Bodmin Moor material won a Highly Commended in the Cornish Distinctiveness category of the Cornwall Tourism Awards 2004 - i.e. in top 5 out of over 20 entries.
"Congratulations to John and his designer Aawen, for a well deserved honour." Chris Darmon, Down to Earth, December 2004.
And Earthwords won a Bronze Award in
2006 for Cornish Distinctiveness. Camel Valley Vineyard won gold - no
surprise there (they've won many international awards for their wine .... and we
drank their Brut for my daughter's 21st).
Saltern Cove Local Nature Reserve
" .. splendid .. Geological humour is notoriously difficult to carry off, but this leaflet from John Macadam seems to get it right. ... For the first time that I've seen there is even 'dialogue' to get across points. .. Yes, this is daring stuff .. but surely we are, at last, speaking to people in language they not only understand, they might also enjoy.. ground-breaking stuff which is needed in many more places. As a sign of the times, this leaflet has been financially supported by a host of people..". Chris Darmon, Down to Earth, August 2000.
"...... a highly readable combination of text, cartoons and pictures of the Cove's wildlife and geology...." Earth Heritage, winter 2001.
"... at one stage Shawn was thought to be slightly 'over the
top' as an approach to our serious science. In fact Shawn is in a better
position to catch the attention of a public setting out to explore those rock
pools, than the best of informative boards which we are inclined to devise to
pass on our message. .. This is the way to win on conservation through
public understanding." Geologists' Association Circular,
October 2001.
".... Sold for a few pence, this leaflet can do much to promote the all-important first steps in geology in a wider public and offers us all a model which we could follow to advantage." Geology Today, 18-4, July-August 2002.
Strangers
on the Shore? - pebbles on Charlestown beach
" ... a super story worthy of Sherlock Holmes himself. ... another opportunity for John to weave his magic in words. ... All good family fun! ...... Finally John returns to the problems of provenance of the various pebbles - though he doesn't quite put it like that! .... the leaflet is summarised in Spanish, French and German - now that's a first! ...." Chris Darmon, Down to Earth, August 2001.
"Multi-lingual leaflet ready for Europe. ... The leaflet is written at a level most people can understand, with lots of questions which are then answered. Why are pebbles round? Were the flint pebbles once ballast? ... Why is granite at the bottom of the sea wall and limestone on top? ........ This is a good, little leaflet" Cynthia Burek, Earth Heritage Winter 2002-2003.
Explore the Landscape & Rocks of the St Austell area
"Another brilliant guide from the hand of John Macadam. If you already have his North Cornwall and South East Cornwall guides you'll know the format. ...... Local design studio Aawen are to be congratulated on the way they have presented John's original manuscript. This is exactly what is required to interest the general public in geology and the landscape ... " Chris Darmon, Down to Earth, August 2001.
"John has written another great text, and the photographs new and old are excellent. Published by Cornwall County Council, the pack is waterproof, pocket-sized and has me once again keen to get to St Austell to explore. There's stuff about the spectacular coastline, climate change, Dr Who, even pigs eggs! It whets the appetite. At £2.75, it is the perfect visitor/explorer guide. …. Great stuff." Trevor Beer, Western Morning News, 9.4.02.
A Geological Guide to South East Cornwall
"The text is racy and ranging beyond the geology in a way which will disarm the non-geologist reader who has ventured into new territory. .... this is a bargain and a model for others to borrow." Eric Robinson, Geologists' Association Circular, February 1999.
"..The moorland and coastal geological trails are well described and lavishly illustrated.... make the routes simple to follow and fun to look at. Plenty of interesting background information written in a light but informative style ...This user-friendly guide promises to make a good walk fascinating. .. thoroughly recommended..." Tim Neale, Cornish Guardian, 19.11.98.
""Why not relax on wave-smoothed slate ... or lava ...?" So asks another delightful geological guide. Splendid is the word and, as ever, John's trails are exciting and informative ..." Trevor Beer, Western Morning News, 11.12.98.
"An appealing publication, combining engaging, interactive text, with an attractive, practical format.... a must for visitors!" Rob Threadgould, (Scottish Natural Heritage), Earth Heritage, January 1999.
"... pointing out the features of geological interest in a very clear fashion that cannot but interest the lay person. ... it will certainly stimulate any budding Earth-scientists to further activity. ... a valuable resource for hard-pressed teachers and leaders of educational parties.... " Roger Beck (Open University), Geoscientist, January 2000.
".... another excellent product. Highly recommended". Chris Darmon, Down to Earth, November 1998.
A geological trail between Pendower & Carne
There's a wonderful geological trail ... The trail takes us on a voyage of discovery too delightful to miss. .." Trevor Beer, Western Morning News, 18.11.97.
"This is an excellent leaflet, well designed, that uses a good mix of text, graphics and background to lead the user on a fascinating trail. ... it uses questions and prompts to maintain lots of interaction (doing, seeing, and thinking) that should help the user take home some, if not all, of the message...." Rob Threadgould, Earth Heritage, January 1998.
"... this is an educational leaflet, designed to make people think and John includes several mind jogging questions along the way.. Reading the leaflet it's easy to see how John was awarded this year's Halstead Medal - he certainly knows how to communicate to the public at large... " Down to Earth, August 1997.
"I volantini guida. I volantini guida sono un mezzo economico ed efficace di valorizzazione del patrimonio geologico. L'esempio mostra gli aspetti geologici e geomorfologici fra Pendower e Came in Cornovaglia, nel sud-ovest dell'Inghilterra. L’opuscolo è stato ben progettato e fa uso di testo, grafici e illusttazioni per guidare il lettore lungo un percorso affascinante. È arricchito di indicazioni sull'uso dei materiali locali e con la presentazione di "visioni globali" quali le variazioni climatiche e del livello del mare. Pone demande e suggerisce molte interazioni (fare, vedere e pensare), sempre sulla falsariga del provocare, rapportare e svelare. Il percorso espositivo tocca un sito di particolare interesse scientifico (SSSI) e un'importante località' della regione." in Geositi - Testimoni del Tempo, 1999, ed. Giancarlo Poli, Regione Emilia Romagna.
A Geology Guide to North Cornwall
"... Very informative, without being too technical, the guide provides an ideal introduction with guaranteed interest, particularly for a walking holiday tour. .." Douglas Williams, Western Morning News,16.11.95.
"An easy-to-follow guide pack." BBC Wildlife, August 1995.
"This top quality, full colour production is stunning ...." Cornwall Today, August 1995.
" ... a most delightful package ... it will certainly make a walker examine his surroundings more closely ...". South West Way Association Newsletter, Autumn 1995.
"Guide with rare quality.... As well as being functional and aesthetically pleasing the user friendly guide has the rare quality of having been written by an expert in a way that can be enjoyed by everyone. ... informative, lively and readable text - not to be missed!" Cornish Guardian, 25.5.95.
" ... We look forward to more of these beautifully produced
guides: other authors/authorities etc. please note." Max
Dobson, Denis Bates (Aberystwyth U), Teaching Earth Sciences vol 20,
3.1995.
".. This pack will suit anyone from interested adults attempting to right schoolday omissions, to Jurassic Park-inspired youngsters eager to learn about fossils and rocks formed before even Stephen Spielberg created the dinosaurs. A bright, well-designed bargain; it would be nice to see similar packs for other parts of the country." John Manning, The Great Outdoors, November 1995.
" ... physically attractive .. durable .. also authoritative: the text was written by John Macadam .. It's also short, which in this case is a compliment. Some modern geological guide books are so fat that they are likely to put off all but the most hardened amateur geologist. ... A splendid example of publicizing geology.." Geology Today, March-April, 1995.
"... These excellent laminated packs make exciting reading simply by using facts. ... In a few weeks, a South East Cornwall pack is to be available. Hopefully they will come to Devon and Somerset; we need such packs for the whole of the Westcountry, please." Trevor Beer, Western Morning News, 18.8.98.
The Two Moors Way
"... John Macadam .. clearly knows the footpath well. His
book is the first really professionally produced guide to this well-established
footpath and is packed with interesting historical and geographical information
as well as the essential information every long distance walker needs, like an
accurate route, stopping points and places to stay.
......
His new book makes great fireside reading for those planning a walk but it is
really designed as a back-pack book. .. this book is a real inspiration to
pull on those walking boots and head for the hills." Philip Bowern,
Western Morning News, 14.3.97.
" ... an excellent Recreational Path Guide ..." Jo Bishop, Western Morning News, 18.4.97
South West Coast Path - Padstow to Falmouth
Over 28,000 sold. Now in 6th (2007) edition:
" ... comprehensive ..." South West Way Association.
".. the style is austere ...." Arthur Smith, The Guardian, 4.7.02. see below - or The Guardian Archive for the complete article
1990
2007
The Guardian G2 Thursday July 4, 2002
Arthur Smith
It's the time of year when the literati give advice on what we should be reading on our summer holidays. These terrifying lists often leave me appalled at my own ignorance, but also suspicious about the pretension of their advocates. Is Eamonn Holmes really going to be reading The Sorrows of Young Werther in the original German? Sometimes I long for earthier recommendations: Julian Barnes saying he is going to the Auvergne with Jimmy Tarbuck's autobiography and the Viz Christmas annual, or AN Wilson proclaiming, "Leave it out. I'm on holiday. I'll be too busy boozing and racing my whippets."
One sneaky response that you do get is: "I'll be re-reading . . ." Which means "I haven't read anything since you asked me at Christmas."
I'm on holiday now. It feels odd writing that since in my line of work I'm always on holiday and always not on holiday. However, on holiday I am, and these are the five books I find on my sea-view bedside table:
1. The South-West Coast Path: Padstow to Falmouth by John Macadam. This is an interactive book in the form of a series of instructions which, if followed, take you on to blasted cliffs overlooking the sea. The style is austere and the photographs never show a human being. It is, however, the book I have read most assiduously since arriving in Cornwall.
......
3. Frank Skinner by Frank Skinner. It's not as if Frank needs the money as much as John Macadam, but I can't deny that I find this thoroughly entertaining, especially as it is designed so that you can skip bits here and there. You can skip some of the South-West Coastal Path, too, but you'll get tired quicker.
•