From the reviews of the second edition: "This book occupies a largely unfilled niche within the structural geology/rock mechanics literature. The novel approach that the authors have taken, that of presenting our current knowledge of brittle deformation as determined from laboratory experiments, has led to an informative, readable reference volume that will benefit many scientists. ... The book admirably draws on a materials science approach ... . is a comprehensive and unique text that will appeal to a broad range of people with an interest in brittle rock deformation." (D. R. Faulkner, Geological Magazine, Vol. 143, 2006) "The book is a compact summary of the present state of the art in experimental rock mechanics at moderate stresses. ... Compared to the earlier edition, the book has benefited from reorganization of the chapters. ... Paterson and Wong's book is an extremely valuable guide for any rock experimentalist. Owing to their expertise and care, the new edition is a significant improvement with a huge reference list for those who want to cover even more ground." (Achim Kopf, Surveys in Geophysics, July, 2006) "This is the much-anticipated second edition of Mervyn Paterson's seminal volume of 1978, now with Teng-fong Wong as co-author. ... The material is presented in a way that should make it accessible to advanced students and non-specialists as well as to those currently active in the field. ... the reference list remains exceptionally comprehensive and therefore exceptionally useful... . It should provide the same essential reference for the future generation of rock physicists as the first edition did ... ." (P. G. Meredith, International Journal of Rock Mechanics & Mining Sciences, Vol. 45, 2008)

• Experimental Procedures.- Experimental Studies on the Brittle Fracture Stress.- Griffith Theory of Brittle Failure.- Evolution of Physical Properties during Brittle Failure.- Micromechanics of Brittle Fracture.- The Role of Pore Fluids.- Friction and Sliding Phenomena.- Brittle-Ductile Transition.

From the reviews of the second edition: "This book occupies a largely unfilled niche within the structural geology/rock mechanics literature. The novel approach that the authors have taken, that of presenting our current knowledge of brittle deformation as determined from laboratory experiments, has led to an informative, readable reference volume that will benefit many scientists. ... The book admirably draws on a materials science approach ... . is a comprehensive and unique text that will appeal to a broad range of people with an interest in brittle rock deformation." (D. R. Faulkner, Geological Magazine, Vol. 143, 2006) "The book is a compact summary of the present state of the art in experimental rock mechanics at moderate stresses. ... Compared to the earlier edition, the book has benefited from reorganization of the chapters. ... Paterson and Wong's book is an extremely valuable guide for any rock experimentalist. Owing to their expertise and care, the new edition is a significant improvement with a huge reference list for those who want to cover even more ground." (Achim Kopf, Surveys in Geophysics, July, 2006) "This is the much-anticipated second edition of Mervyn Paterson's seminal volume of 1978, now with Teng-fong Wong as co-author. ... The material is presented in a way that should make it accessible to advanced students and non-specialists as well as to those currently active in the field. ... the reference list remains exceptionally comprehensive and therefore exceptionally useful... . It should provide the same essential reference for the future generation of rock physicists as the first edition did ... ." (P. G. Meredith, International Journal of Rock Mechanics & Mining Sciences, Vol. 45, 2008)

• Experimental Procedures.- Experimental Studies on the Brittle Fracture Stress.- Griffith Theory of Brittle Failure.- Evolution of Physical Properties during Brittle Failure.- Micromechanics of Brittle Fracture.- The Role of Pore Fluids.- Friction and Sliding Phenomena.- Brittle-Ductile Transition.

From the reviews of the second edition: "This book occupies a largely unfilled niche within the structural geology/rock mechanics literature. The novel approach that the authors have taken, that of presenting our current knowledge of brittle deformation as determined from laboratory experiments, has led to an informative, readable reference volume that will benefit many scientists. ... The book admirably draws on a materials science approach ... . is a comprehensive and unique text that will appeal to a broad range of people with an interest in brittle rock deformation." (D. R. Faulkner, Geological Magazine, Vol. 143, 2006) "The book is a compact summary of the present state of the art in experimental rock mechanics at moderate stresses. ... Compared to the earlier edition, the book has benefited from reorganization of the chapters. ... Paterson and Wong's book is an extremely valuable guide for any rock experimentalist. Owing to their expertise and care, the new edition is a significant improvement with a huge reference list for those who want to cover even more ground." (Achim Kopf, Surveys in Geophysics, July, 2006) "This is the much-anticipated second edition of Mervyn Paterson's seminal volume of 1978, now with Teng-fong Wong as co-author. ... The material is presented in a way that should make it accessible to advanced students and non-specialists as well as to those currently active in the field. ... the reference list remains exceptionally comprehensive and therefore exceptionally useful... . It should provide the same essential reference for the future generation of rock physicists as the first edition did ... ." (P. G. Meredith, International Journal of Rock Mechanics & Mining Sciences, Vol. 45, 2008)

• Experimental Procedures.- Experimental Studies on the Brittle Fracture Stress.- Griffith Theory of Brittle Failure.- Evolution of Physical Properties during Brittle Failure.- Micromechanics of Brittle Fracture.- The Role of Pore Fluids.- Friction and Sliding Phenomena.- Brittle-Ductile Transition.