An excellent introductory text on mineral resources and economic geology was produced by Kesler [1994]. Compared with many earlier textbooks, he included more emphasis on mineral economics, mining law, exploration, mining methods and the environmental consequences of exploitation. The text is particularly suitable for an introductory survey course on global mineral and energy resources for undergraduates in the sciences and humanities. If every university Earth Science department offered such a survey course, the ultimate result would be voters and decision-makers who have a far greater understanding of global economics and politics and the role that mineral and energy resources play in a nation's wealth.