Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Oct 2015).

1. The multi-ring basin problem. 1.1. Multi-ring basins and their significance. 1.2. Overview of the lunar multi-ring basin controversy. 1.3. The approach of this book -- 2. From crater to basin. 2.1. The cratering process. 2.2. The morphology of fresh lunar craters. 2.3. Size-dependent morphologic thresholds: crater to basin. 2.4. Inventory of lunar multi-ring basins -- 3. The 'archetype' basin: Orientale. 3.1. Regional geology of the Orientale impact site. 3.2. Orientale morphology and geological units. 3.3. Rings and basin structures. 3.4. Remote sensing of Orientale basin deposits. 3.5. Orientale ejecta at Apollo landing sites? 3.6. The formation and evolution of the Orientale basin -- 4. An ancient basin: Nectaris. 4.1. Regional geology and setting. 4.2. Nectaris morphology and geological units. 4.3. Remote sensing observations of Nectaris basin deposits. 4.4. Apollo 16 site petrology -- the Nectaris component. 4.5. The formation and evolution of the Nectaris Basin -- 5. A modified basin: Crisium.

5.1. Regional geological setting. 5.2. Crisium morphology and geological units. 5.3. Structural geology and rings of the Crisium basin. 5.4. Composition of Crisium basin deposits. 5.5. Crisium ejecta: petrology of the Luna 20 site. 5.6. The formation and evolution of the Crisium basin -- 6. A transitional basin: Serenitatis. 6.1. Regional geological setting and basin definition. 6.2. Serenitatis morphology and geological units. 6.3. Serenitatis basin rings and structure. 6.4. Orbital geochemical data for Serenitatis basin deposits. 6.5. Apollo 17 site geology -- the Serenitatis basin "melt sheet" 6.6. The formation and evolution of the Serenitatis basin -- 7. The largest basin: Imbrium. 7.1. Regional geology and settings. 7.2. Imbrium morphology and geological units. 7.3. Imbrium rings and basin structures. 7.4. Remote-sensing data: the composition of Imbrium ejecta. 7.5. The Fra Mauro Formation: petrology of the Apollo 14 site. 7.6. The Apennine Mountains: petrology of the Apollo 15 site.

7.7. Petrology of the Apollo 16 site -- Imbrium basin ejecta? 7.8. The formation and evolution of the Imbrium basin -- 8. Geological processes in the formation of lunar basins. 8.1. Composition and structure of the lunar crust. 8.2. Excavation. 8.3. Impact melt and ejecta. 8.4. Ring formation. 8.5. Long-term modification of basin topography -- 9. Multi-ring basins on the terrestrial planets. 9.1. Earth. 9.2. Mercury. 9.3. Mars. 9.4. Icy satellites of Jupiter and Saturn. 9.5. Venus -- 10. Multi-ring basins and planetary evolution. 10.1. The building blocks of planetary surfaces. 10.2. Effects of basins on planetary evolution. 10.3. Conclusion.

Multi-ring basins are large impact craters formed in the early history of planets. They critically affect the evolution of the planets and their satellites. The Moon offers an exceptional chance to study these phenomena and this book provides a comprehensive geological study using data from lunar landings and remote sensing of the Moon. The author covers the formation and development of basins and considers their chemistry and mineralogy. He studies their effects on the volcanic, tectonic and geological evolution of the planet, including the catastrophic consequence on the planetary climate and evolution of life. This study is lavishly illustrated with many spectacular, highly-detailed photographs and diagrams.