View Large Image | Download PowerPoint SlideBiostratigraphy. Microfossils and Geological Time gives a terrific review of the principles and development of dating rocks using the fossils that they contain (i.e. biostratigraphy). Although Brian McGoran concentrates on foraminifers, the book is worth reading for an understanding of the role of biostratigraphy in a geological science context. McGoran provides a significant amount of information, which is well illustrated with many figures showing examples of zonations (bodies of rock defined by the presence of fossils), correlations, sequence stratigraphy (prehistoric sea-level changes in sedimentary deposits) and cyclostratigraphy (which is based on the moon–earth–sun interaction and orbit system).The review of the basic principles of zonation and the development of the zonal concept is essential to all those interested in the complexity of biostratigraphy. McGoran discusses the two different stratigraphic classification systems, chronostratigraphy, based on the age of the rock strata, and biostratigraphy, based on the fossil content of rock strata. He also presents fundamental disputes in the development of correlations and discusses the integration of biostratigraphy (bio-events, horizons and datum, and the first or last appearance of index species) into modern geochronology and construction of the classical geological timescale. The integration of magnetostratigraphy (the records of normal and reverse polarity of the Earth's magnetic field used to date the sediments), seafloor spreading, and radiometric (isotopic) dating are logically incorporated in this description. Furthermore, the incorporation of cyclostratigraphy into biostratigraphy and chronology is elucidated. McGoran also provides a fundamental basis of evolution, linking it to biostratigraphy, and further explains the development of the fossil species concept.Part of Biostratigraphy is devoted to biostratigraphic practices concerning index fossil suitability, natural biostratigraphic units and quantitative methods in micropalaeontology. Regional timescales are similarly put in a global context. McGoran also describes the dynamic collaboration with other scientific disciplines in recent years. One such advance is the insight into fossil patterns arising from the development of sequence stratigraphy as a framework that encompasses seismic stratigraphy, sedimentary cycles and unconformities, and biostratigraphy. McGoran provides a well illustrated view of this advance. The overall objective of Biostratigraphy is to examine micropalaeontology and, in doing so, McGoran emphasizes the importance of using many fossil groups in correlation. He also describes the relationship between changes in the global environment and climate, particularly regarding provincialism and the correlation of global events.McGoran describes the current status of the constantly developing field of biostratigraphy and concludes by describing three issues pertaining to future work: (i) the continued correlation of biostratigraphy with magnetostratigraphy, and with different microplanktonic groups; (ii) sequence biostratigraphy; and (iii) continued incorporation of ecology in understanding the evolution, systematics and taxonomy of fossil communities. Biostratigraphy will be a useful handbook for any researchers and students working with geology. In particular, it will help them to become acquainted with many branches of biostratigraphy, particularly in relation to microfossils.