Reviews (1)

The ultimate starting point for learning evaporation physics
Wilfried Brutsaert has the very impressive ability and understanding to visualize the complexities and physics of the evaporation processes and to describe them quantitatively. The book, even though it is dated, is still current in its theory. It is a must have reference for the serious student of evaporation processes from water and vegetation. It is useful for the physicist, the engineer, and the biometeorologist.

The text is well written and friendly and with lots of figures and graphs showing real world data. Even though the text is friendly, it is so full and concise, that it takes the first timer several readings to garner all of the information stored there.

The first portion of the book presents an interesting history of some of the quantitative developments in predicting evaporation. ... Read more

Book Description

Meteorology 2e, is an introduction to atmospheric science for science and non-science majors. The text covers all topics expected of an introductory text, organized and presented in a way that offers the instructor considerable flexibility of sequence.

The authors feel this text is distinctive in three major ways. First is its clear, accurate and friendly style of presentation. Second is the considerable attention given to the process of meteorological inquiry, the thoughts and actions of practicing meteorologists in finding out how the atmosphere behaves. Third is the careful attention to pedagogy. By grouping chapters into units, developing concepts from specific examples to general principles (and not the other way around), engaging the reader in questions, repeating explanations from earlier chapters when a reminder would be helpful, pausing for review several times within each chapter, and in many other ways, the Authors have strived to make the text a powerful learning tool, thereby helping the reader to become an active and successful learner. ... Read more

Book Description

The adventurous life and many accomplishments of the sea captain who invited Charles Darwin aboard

The name of Robert FitzRoy, captain of the Beagle, is forever linked with that of his most famous passenger, Charles Darwin. This exceptionally interesting biography brings FitzRoy out of Darwin’s shadow for the first time, revealing a man who experienced high adventure, suffered tragic disappointments, and—as the inventor of weather forecasting—saved the lives of countless fellow mariners.

John Gribbin and Mary Gribbin draw a detailed portrait of FitzRoy, recounting the wide range of his accomplishments and exploring the motivations that drove him. As a very young and successfulcommander in the British navy, FitzRoy’s life was in the mold of a Patrick O’Brian novel. Later disappointments, including an unpopular tenure as governor of New Zealand and a sense of dismay over his own contributions to Darwin’s ideas of evolution, troubled FitzRoy. Even his groundbreaking accomplishments in meteorological science failed to satisfy his high personal expectations, and in 1865 FitzRoy committed suicide at the age of sixty. This biography focuses well-deserved attention on FitzRoy’s status as a scientist and seaman, affirming that his was a life which, despite its sorrowful end, encompassed many more successes than failures.



John Gribbin and Mary Gribbin are visiting fellows at the University of Sussex. John Gribbin has long been interested in the weather and is a fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society. Mary Gribbin has a special interest in exploration and is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. Together they have written many books on science topics.







... Read more

Book Description

In 1997 and early 1998, one of the most powerful El Ni"os ever recorded disruptedweather patterns the world over. Europe suffered a record freeze, as the American West was hit by massivefloods and snowstorms, while droughts resulted in enormous forest fires in Southeast Asia, and famine inEast Africa.

In Floods, Famines, and Emperors, Brian Fagan shows that these events were neither isolated nor new. ElNio has been disrupting weather patterns on and off for some five millennia--perhaps much longer-- sometimes with catastrophic effects on civilizations. Integrating climate science, archaeology, history, andthe superb writing of a natural storyteller, Fagan shows how the systemic interaction of climate, land, andpeople have shaped culture since the dawn of time: El Ni"o droughts have brought on the collapse ofdynasties in ancient Egypt; El Ni"o monsoon failures have caused historic famines in India, while El Ni"ofloods have destroyed entire civilizations in Peru, and changed the course of European exploration.

The material that comprises Floods, Famines, and Emperor is only now beginning to be discussed inscientific symposia. But Fagan has not written a dry, academic text. This book is a lucid, fascinating, andthoroughly readable account of climate and culture for history buffs, archaeology enthusiasts, the growinglegions of weather watchers, and science readers of all kinds. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Water, water, everywhere and nowhere
According to Brian Fagan, the phenomenon known as El Nino has abruptly entered our collective awareness. That's a good thing, since its effects have a long, and often disastrous reach. It is not, he contends, the only issue to consider in climate impact. It has been "over-hyped" by media. The issues go beyond freak storms and harsh droughts. Humans have confronted weather throughout their evolutionary history. How society copes with global weather impact is Fagan's real concern. He's collected a wealth of information in this well written account. There is much to learn from this book, which includes some intriguing
surprises.

Comfortably divided into three major themes, Fagan opens with an explanation of El Nino's "discovery". What had seemed to be freak weather events proved to have an underlying pattern. The El Nino Southern Oscillation [ENSO] is an eastward moving body of warm Pacific Ocean water. The warmth blocks the flow of the Humboldt Current moving from Antarctica along the South American coast. Fish die or depart, with birds duplicating the pattern. Fagan stresses that the effect of that warm cell has global reach and has roots deep in time. Pharonic Egypt felt its impact, perhaps contributing, if not causing, social upheaval and even a new philosophy of rule by those absolute rulers.

How society and its rulers deal with abrupt weather change is the focus of the second part. As an anthropologist, Fagan is conversant with ancient societies. He examines the Andean Moche people who engineered extensive irrigation systems to catch feeble rainfall. With El Nino, rainfall changes from feeble to fabulous and the Moche watched their canals being flushed away. The following famines broke the power of the Moche aristocracy and the culture collapsed. A similar fate occurred to the Maya, whose rigid social pattern prevented them from coping with crop loss. However, the Anasazi people of the American Southwest, long skilled in desert agriculture, had a different method for dealing with drought. A loose, flexible society encouraged sharing of resources, then departure when the soil failed. Fagan overturns the long-held view that the Anasazi "mysteriously" disappeared. He contends they simply dispersed.

In the final section, Fagan relates some historical climate events such as The Little Ice Age and the Sahel drought. He examines the short-sighted policies that have exacerbated the human impact of such events. Over expansion in good years leaves no flexibility for addressing the needs of bad times. Governments must avoid superficial solutions in the face of knowing climate will generate surprises. Better planning scenarios are required for land occupation and use. Although it's been said before, Fagan urges better understanding of what is sustainable. That, of course, means more research and the application of political will derived from its results. While that may curtail some short-term profit gains and force revision of some cultural noms, it's the survival of the species that's at stake.

Fagan's easy writing style mustn't undercut the value of this book. Enhanced with good maps tied nicely to the text and an outstanding bibliography make this book required reading. Weather, after all, is part of the human condition everywhere. We all need to understand better its impact, and cheap jokes about El Nino aren't part of that comprehension. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]

Good to read; a nice beginning
To be honest, I enjoyed this book far more than I anticipated. Fagan is a smart archaelogist, and does not reduce human history to weather; rather he shows how weather can influence politics, religion, agriculture, and economics. Fagan could have made this point more clearly: weather can sometimes be influential; it's not determinative.

Fagan offers a good direction for archaelogists and historians to head; more serious works would do well to take up Fagan's challenge to analyze historical weather patterns. It'll be a tough go, but well-worth the trouble.

One of the book's strongest chapters is Chapter 11, showing how French colonial rule in the Sahel helped to impoverish and starve peoples living there, while increasing desertification. Here, he echoes the theme of the vastly superior _Late Victorian Holocausts: El Nino and the Making of the Third World_. This latter book, by Mike Davis, is one of the most important books of recent decades. Where Fagan fails to consider structural inequalities and human suffering as a result of El Ninos, Davis fully succeeds. The books make for some nice contrasts (I assigned both to my college students). Turn to Davis, after you've had fun with Fagan.

Weather Side of History--One Really Big Core Idea

This book is an excellent complement to David Key's book on "Catastrophe", and I found it a worthwhile fast read.

It has one really big core idea that ties environmental, political, economic, and cultural readings together--it explores the inter-relationship between sustainability of any given society within the constraints of the time and the legitimacy of the government or other form of political organization.

Two things appear to help: long-term vision on the part of the leader, and whatever it takes to maintain the people's faith in their leadership.

The author concludes with an overview of where we stand today, and draws attention to the especially dangerous combination of overpopulation, global warming, and rapid climate changes occurring all at once.

For me, this book combined an overview of how seriously we must take ocean currents and related climate changes; and how important it is that our leaders understand these issues and take long-term views that add stability and sustainability in the face of varying challenges to our well-being.

A piece of fluff--engaging but little substance
In terms of readability, Fagan's book is a decent piece of popular science. It makes an engaging argument that human civilizations have been affected mightily by climatic shifts. But it is fraught with problems: I am an expert on the history of El Ni~no, and I can attest that the chapters about El Ni~nos past and the history of scientists' understanding of El Ni~no hit some of the bright spots. But the details are at best inaccuate and at worst highly deceptive. Fagan simply knows little about this subject, otherwise he would have distilled a more accurate account! It simply does not stand up to careful examination. Mickey Glantz's book _Currents of Change_ (1996) is better, although it suffers from similar problems and is less readable. Those who want to read a carefully researched narrative about the El Ni~no-Southern Oscillation and its impact on human history unfortunately have no where to go, yet.

Floods, Famines, and Emperors
This was a wonderful treatment of the effects of weather/climate on ancient civilizations. I found the thesis rather intriguing, as I had not considered how compelling might be the effects of major changes in the weather regime on a culture. One is quite aware of local effects of the weather, especially when it is severe. The news media make the statistics of every flood, hurricaine and draught the subject of international interest. Certainly the effects of major climatic disasters like the 7 lean years of the Bible and the Dust Bowl years of US history are familiar. Professor Fagan makes clearer the political and social impact of El Ninos world wide in antiquity as well. ... Read more

Book Description

The rapid warming of the Earth's climate has been a concern for decades. In the past, there have been skeptics, but today almost all scientists agree that a global warming trend is evident. The history of our climate and the science of global warming, as well as the resulting social, economic, and political implications of such a change are far-reaching and complex. The Complete Idiot's Guide® to Global Warming synthesizes all this information into an easy-to-read reference that will help anyone separate the facts from fiction, providing a fair assessment of climate change, its costs, and even short-term benefits.The book also includes coverage on the political challenges and possibilities such as the Kyoto and Bonn treaties and the U.S. role with the rest of the world in reducing pollution emissions. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

From La Canada, CA
This is the book for anyone interested in Meteorites, Meteoritics, History of Meteoritics, and hunting for and identifying Meteorites. Richard Norton has written a very readable book which does not require a scientific background to fully understand the subjects. The Parts of the book are: "Falls, Finds and Craters", "What is a Meteorite?", "Meteorite Hunters", and "Origins". Each part can be read separately and stands alone. I started reading with the section about the pioneer meteorite hunter H.H. Nininger to whom Meteoritics owes so much. When in doubt as to the meaning of a scientific term, Mr. Norton has helpfully attached a Glossary. If you want to verify, test, or etch a meteorite, turn to the Appendices for instructions. For more written sources on Meteoritics, see the book's "References" section. Dorothy Norton has illustrated beautifully in a manner which is most helpful for understanding the text. The book, in addition to being a delight to read, (once I started reading I could not put it down), does a real service to the advancement of Meteoritics.

Why Not Find The Time To Look For Meteorites?
Here's the book you'll need to take along, as meteorites are much easier to find when you know their characteristics and the places where they stand out from other rocks. I've held onto my own copy of Rocks From Space for some time, although I have not gone out hunting for meteorites yet, because this is the book that entices me to make time for it. There are a lot of good quality photographs printed here on slick magazine paper, and some are in color. The book is what it's supposed to be, but if I was going to improve it for someone planning to pack it for a hike across the Utah salt flats, I would suggest that the next edition be on a lighter weight paper. This guide fills you in on the famous meteors (In the sky) and meteorites (Striking the earth) which fell in earth's recorded history. These are great fun to learn about, as there's nothing like a surprise from outer space to brighten up everyone's day. And while meteorites can even impress us as being pretty weird in the modern era, wait until you read about the one that fell in Alsace, France in 1492. It drew so much curiosity and awe that even King Maximilian of Germany came to see it. Many people took souvenir pieces from it over the centuries, but its last 122 pounds are protected by being in a local museum. Another fall Norton records came in 1992, when a car belonging to a young lady was struck. Excited collectors soon made generous offers for both the car and the meteorite. Not too long ago an old meteorite from Mars was sliced open to reveal what many scientists suspect is evidence of past life on that planet. The possibility was considered strong enough that it prompted President Clinton to go on national television to announce it; so if you use this book, you may even help confirm one of the greatest mysteries of all time.

A fine basic review of a little known field
My primary interest in the area of meteoritics is impact strucures. This book offers a fair discussion of that field, but is primarily concerned with meteorites and those who hunt, collect, and sell them. In these respects, Norton's presentation is unparalleled. The book is an easy, enjoyable read and may be perused by persons with no background in meteoritics. The biographical sketches of Ninenger and Haag alone give unique worth to the book.
The only real reservation keeping this book from a five star rating is its Apprndix C, listing suspected impact craters. Several of the listed items appear nowhere else in the impact literature I have reviewed and the listed size of many features varies from other calculations. But, then, I should do so good.

Second Edition Worth Buying
Those readers who bought the original First Edition might wish to know whether they should invest in the Second Edition. The answer is Yes. The Second Edition is sufficiently updated to warrant purchase, and includes discussion on new topics that have become important since the 1993/1994 writing of the First Edition. Additions include expanded discussion of the Shoemaker-Levy impact on Jupiter, discussion on the disputed finding of bacteria fossils in Mars meteorites, and discussion on the Mars Pathfinder mission. Here and there, clarifications and expansions on the First Edition's text bring the reader up to date.

Great Book
I thought the book was very good for someone like myself with a beginners interest in meteorites. There is a great deal of information, where meteorites come from, what they are made of, how they have gotten here. It did a geat job of peaking my interest in meteorites, I am planning a field tiip shortly and have ordered other books on the subject. So I would say the book did it's job of creating an interest on the subject of meteorites. I only gave it a four because I expected more from the section on meteorite hunters. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A Definitive Book on Weather

After reading over a dozen titles dedicated to explain weather to the sailor, I finally found the book that really explains the causes, development and forecasting in a way that can be understood and used by those going to sea.My prior efforts included attending several multi-day seminars, but I was not satisfied with the results of my reading and studying until I got this book.The concept of stable or unstable air is fundamental to understanding weather, and this is the first book (among the ones I read) that explains "adiabatic lapse rate" as it relates to the heating of the atmosphere and the effect on weather formation.It also includes easy reference tables to recognize and forecast change, the evolution of fronts and the visible signs of it: including cloud formation, etc. that makes our life aboard more predictable.These concepts are more complex and sophisticated that most authors dear to explain, but without understanding them the picture is incomplete.This book is not easy read: just going through the pages once, is not enough to grasp the concepts (at least not for me), as I had to re-read again several chapters, but it is worth it if you truly want to understand weather and be able to make predictions.This is not `reading' material, but `study' material.The one concept the book does not cover enough is the Jet Stream and its influence on the creation of pressure systems, as in a curve down would create a low, and a curve up will produce a high pressure system, but this is repeated in all other books.He does mention the 500 mb chart, but does not go over it as much as I would have liked it.This book was first published before the Internet so it does not include any reference to it as a way to obtain weather information.An updated edition would be great, but all things considered, this is still the most complete and the best book on weather I found.

Excellent Handbook for the Mariner.
This is truely a gem!For those who are going to sea or those who are weather enthusiasts, this book should be in your library.My wife and I sailed across the Pacific and were helped immensely by Crawford's book. Itis well written for both the unfamiliar reader as well as those wanting anin depth understanding of what makes weather happen and what to expectwhile it's happening.With almost every page having diagrams orphotographs, Crawford takes the reader through an explanation of theatmosphere, introducing the reader to the whys and wheres of winds, therole that heat plays in meteorology, discussions of clouds, fogs, ice, andfronts. He discusses weather instruments and weather charts.The book isdirected toward the mariner, both professional and cruiser.Though hisbook is not layed out specifically with generalities first, followed byincreased specifics and details,it is not difficult for the reader to getthe general gist of what the author is trying to convey, without having tosort through pages of confusing details.At the same time, those who arehungry for the intricacies of meteorlogical phenomina will have a hard timeputting the book down: for them it will be like a compelling novel, andtheir sleep schedule will likely suffer as a result.

I am surprised tofind that I am the first to review this fine book, because I regularly giveit as a gift, and well received it has been! ... Read more

Book Description

A third edition of a classic work on cold climate ecosystems, updated with a new chapter on mammals and birds. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

very neat book
I started wondering one day what do animals do in the winter? How does thgis whole cycle continue. Then I got on Amazon, did a search and came up with this book. Its neat! It tells you about different hibernation methods (for example some insects turn their body fluids into a sort of antifreeze!) It also tells about plants and how they cope. Pretty interesting.

A Thorough Explanation of Winter Adaptations
Thorough and scientific, this a good companion volume to Jim Halfpenny's excellent book on the same subject. Whereas Halfpenny's book is an excellent introduction for students and teachers of ecology, Marchand's book goes into more detail on physiological, behavioral, and biochemical adaptations to winter. It is therefore best suited to biology majors, graduate students, and naturalists with a desire for a complete explanation of how animals and plants adapt and survive in cold weather.

Have you ever wondered why insects don't freeze in winter?
A facinating overview of the biology of adaptation to winter. Of interest to students, teachers, and outdoors people who wish to understand interaction between life and the winter environment. ... Read more

Book Description

Tornadoes occur in every state in the Union, and each region of the nation has its unique "tornado season." The most intense tornadoes can carry automobiles a half-mile and level a well built home. Some tornadoes have crossed mountains, seemingly unimpeded. Some have lasted more than an hour, scouring the earth with wind speeds of 250 miles per hour. Nor are tornadoes unique to the United States. In Bangladesh, for example, they have killed a thousand people in a single swath.

Reviews (10)

Ideal quick reference on tornadoes
From the intorduction, you read that the author's intent with this book was to write a modernized edition of Snowden D. Flora's 1953 book "Tornadoes of the United States" -- which was billed at the time as the first general reference book on tornadoes. In that respect, Tom Grazulis has fully succeeded.

"The Tornado" covers all the basics about tornadoes, like the highly complicated (and still enigmatic) process of tornado formation, forecasting, historical aspects of tornadoes -- as well as major tornadic events of the past, safety, climatology/frequncy, international frequency and major events, the Fujita scale, myths (more than you might think), and a pleasingly non-sensational chapter on storm chasing.

The text is never too complicated, and even the more technical points are easy to understand. The fact that the book is up-to-date is also a plus, as is the scope of the book's coverage. It's also somewhat more relevant to an American audience than Arjen and Jerrine Verkaik's "Under the Whirlwind," which -- though good, and including some of what this book covers -- was written with a Canadian audience in mind. (In which case Canadian readers are advised to read that book before this.)

About the only real minus is that there are limited illustrations, and those in the book are black and white. This text accompanied with more -- and color -- illustrations might have been more useful, although in moderation so as not to draw attention away from the text; at any rate a section of color plates would have been a nice addition.

That aside, this is a terrific guide to all things relevant (or even just the stuff you might have thought of once!) to tornadoes.

Great Book on Tornadoes
I strongly recommend this book for anyone interested in tornadoes and wishing to learn more about the subject. Topics covered include nearly every aspect of tornado development and subsequent evolution, forecasting and warnings, the Fujita scale for rating damage, and tornado risks by geographical region. As a meteorologist, I think he does a great job communicating core scientific concepts to the reader in an easy-to-understand manner, and the chapters "Tornado Myths" and "Tornado Safety" contain valuable information and are must-reads, esp. for those less familiar with severe storms/tornadoes.

In short, a good read for anyone interested in tornadoes, and definitely a book you will want to have on your shelf.

Gone with the wind.
Lets start with the few negatives about this book. Grazulis does use the term, "I" fairly often in this book. This doesn't bother me as much as it does some people. He has to use the first person as he explains what brought about his interest in tornadoes and he has been involved in much of the research he talks about. The only real drawback I can find is that he gets a little too technical for the average reader on occasion. Still, considering the complicated nature of his subject I think he does a fine job of getting his point across and helping someone like me began to understand these killer storms.

Grazulis leads us down the path of tornado history making stops along the way to point out interesting facts. The reader is given stories of survival as well as tragedy. We even get a story about the one of the 18th century's most famous scientists chasing on horseback after what may or may not have been a tornado. I can just see Ben Franklin charging down the road in hot pursuit. Grazulis also spends some time trashing some tornado myths and giving some safety tips. There is also a very interesting chapter on tornadoes in other countries. I have even begun to understand what straight line winds and downbursts are because of this book.

Best of all the reader will be treated to an inside look at the progress science has made in understanding and predicting tornadoes. The new equipment, the new ideas, and the ever present danger of trying to get too close to a tornado to study it. Science has come a long way since early April, 1974 when forecasters all over the eastern U.S. watched the "Super Outbreak" on surplus World War II radar.

No matter if you are a weather junkie or are just in awe of the power of nature I feel sure you will find this to be an interesting read.

An accessible introduction to the subject
Persons interested in tornadoes will recognize Tom Grazulis as the Director of the Tornado Project and author of the massive tornado tome "Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991." In this new book, appropriately published by the University of Oklahoma Press, Grazulis discusses the long history of tornadoes in the United States (and, rare for books on the subject, includes a listing of major tornadoes outside the US), covers the process of observation and research that led to today's understanding of these chaotic storms, discusses tornado oddities, tornado safety, and tornado myths (no, that trailer park on the edge of town is not a dangerous tornado attractant). Grazulis is not a particularly stylish writer, but the book is clear and interesting and will serve as a good introduction to both the trail of terror left by these storms and the current state of severe storm research.

.... While Grazulis does on occasion refer to himself, it is not excessive and provides his own view of events and personalities in the field.

My only disagreement with Grazulis is his soft-pedaling of the state of government funding into severe storm research and warning systems. While he comments mildly that the government just can't fund everything (which of course is true), I would observe that there always seems to be money for congressional porkbarrel, like the mysterious ordering every year of C-130 aircraft that the Air Force didn't want but which were built in a certain well-known former House Speaker's district at the same time that Weather Service offices were being closed and research money drying up. As one who lives in a NEXRAD "hole" (a city that is well below the horizon of the nearest WSR-88D radars and hence in danger of being struck unexpectedly by tornadoes), I tend to object more than mildly to this kind of thing, and Grazulis should as well.

If you find this book interesting, check at your local library for a copy of Grazulis' "Significant Tornadoes." It is huge and fascinating.

Compact but thorough reference on tornadoes

In 1953, the University of Oklahoma Press launched its biggest seller to date with "Tornadoes of the United States" by Snowden D. Flora. For its era, it was unique -- a thorough, multifaceted but concise (194 pages) treatment of tornadoes, liberally sprinkled with photographs. Tom Grazulis, a friend, colleague in science and fellow tornado enthusiast, has created the same with a modern flavor: the first worthy successor to Flora's tome in 48 years.

Strongly reminiscent of Flora's framework, Grazulis effectively blends powerful personal anecdotes from tornado survivors with sharp graphics, summaries of the most recent scientific thinking on tornado development, and short synopses of tornado events through history. Grazulis explains and debunks tornado myths, including safety misconceptions like the suicidal tendency for people to hide beneath bridges in advance of a tornado. This work pays due attention and respect to the immense contributions of Ted Fujita without the undertone of hero worship in the author's previous book, "Significant Tornadoes." The text is quite straightforward -- rightfully so -- about the inconsistencies, varying methods, and flat-out-wrongs in the "official" tornado database -- such as a deadly November 1989 New York downburst (as surveyed by Fujita) which remains on the records as a tornado. Without confusion, Grazulis covers tornado risk in several ways, thanks to his enormous database of significant (deadly and/or F2 or greater) tornadoes. Also, commendably, there is an entire chapter devoted to tornadoes outside the United States, which (from personal communication with author) played a big role in scuttling his original plans to adopt Flora's title for this book as well.

The major problem with this work is in its blatantly first-person writing style. While not a fatal flaw, the appearance of the word "I" in hundreds of places lends a striking, if unintended, aura of self-importance detracting from the abundance of solid science behind the information. Why must an author talk about himself so much, unless this is supposed to be an autobiography? Also, many of the photos in "Tornadoes of the United States" were reprinted here, in lieu of many more recent, higher-quality tornado pictures from the 1980s and 90s which better illustrate the concepts written by Grazulis. Without these encumbrances, Grazulis' book gets 5 stars, easily. Still, all severe weather enthusiasts should have a copy at the core of their libraries. It will be stunning if this volume doesn't become OU Press' biggest seller, as did its forebear. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Excellent Book!
In addition to reading this great book, I have had the good fortune of meeting Dr. Reynolds in person. He is as engaging a speaker as he is an author, and has a way of bringing you into a subject like no one else. Falling Stars is an excellent introduction to meteor observing and meteorite collecting. This really is a branch of astronomy that anyone can get involved with. I highly recommend this book!

Good Short Introduction to Meteors, Meteorites, and Tektites
Falling Stars: A Guide to Meteors and Meteorites is just that, a short introduction to the wonderful world of meteors and meteorite collecting. There are a number of good books out there on this subject, but this one is a handy quick reference guide for novice collectors and those interested in learning a little about the origins of these fascinating pieces of rock and metal from space. It gives a brief overview of meteors and comets, descriptions of the major meteor showers, major impact craters, and famous meterorite falls, as well as a breakdown of the various types of meteorites and tektites. It doesn't go into great detail on, say, the difference between an octahedrite, hexahedrite, and ataxite nickel-iron meteorite for example, but it does provide some sound info for the beginner. ... Read more

Book Description

This timely volume provides an illustration of the variety of satellite-derived global data sets now available, their uses, advantages and limitations, and the range of variation that has already been observed with these data. ... Read more

Book Description

Here is a handy, fact-filled way to record the weather story and compare daily entries from month to month and year to year, featuring hundreds of facts, figures, bits of lore, and rules of thumb (think El Nio). Full-color fold-over place marker shows the ten basic cloud types; 400 pages; 51/2 " x 81/2 ". ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Weather Wizard's 5-Year Weather Diary
Having just finished my first 5 year stint with this weather diary, I'm on to enjoying the next half decade. What fun it is to look back on how much VT snow fell last year or the year before. Just how HOT was it on this date over the years? The diary has sat next to my computer all this time and entries are made daily as I wait out my computer's warm up exercises. Friends have taken to checking with me when questions arise about weather history.

The "windows" of weather information provided are also great learning tools. Helps one to understand just what makes those clouds creep down the valley between the high mountains.

My only complaint is that after 5 years of daily use, the pages are dog eared and don't turn very easily on the spiral binding.

For all ages
We gave my father his first copy of this book ten years ago when he was 80. He is now 90 and has completed two books. He can look back to see what the weather was over the past ten years and make his own predictions. He keeps meticulous records. It takes dedication to fill in the temperatures, winds, weather conditions every day for five years. For anyone who is facinated by weather, this is a terrific present.

Weather Man
If you want to be a weather person or work for the NOAA or the NWS this is the thing for you. It helps you to know every thing about weather I have one and I'm recording every day the weather in this book and I got it for Christmas 2001 and I LOVE it. So pick one yp today and enjoy,love and respect weather all arround you. :-)

Great for us amateur weatherpersons!
I'm four and a half years into this five year weather diary. It's the only one I know of but it is efficient. It's kept me true to my hobby.

An amateur learns about weather
This simple diary was just what I needed five years ago, when I retired. There was a place for all the important things I'd see as well as a place for short comments. Each day, as I filled it up I could review the weather of years past and be reminded of how changeable it all is. I also recorded lunar events and special storms, family changes and significant political dates. It is a great record, easily kept and easily reviewed. Combined with the Old Farmer's Almanac, one truly keeps in touch with the world around in a way that must resemble that of the farmer.

Some information on estimating wind speed and perhaps some information on setting of a barometer would be a good addition. ... Read more

Book Description

More than 400 photographs and line drawings illustrate every kind of atmospheric phenomenon: clouds of every type; storms, from cloudbursts to hurricanes; and sky colors. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Worthwhile for the "Everyday" cloud-watcher
This is a useful weather field guide because it spends most time illustrating regular weather phenomena. By that, I mean it spends most time on the various types of clouds, "garden-variety" thunderstorms, and ordinary optical phenomena like rainbows, irridescence, halo(e)s, and the like - the kind of stuff you're most likely to see if you glance out your bedroom window of a morning, or . . . whatever. (It's hard not to sound corny there!)Also, the text goes into how such phenomena comes about, which is useful.

There are also useful appendices like the Beaufort scale, and tornado safety rules in the back.

The only drawbacks are, the fact that this isn't a full-color guide: the color plates have been segregated to an insert around the middle of the book, which makes up perhaps an eighth of the book - if that (all other photos - the majority of the book - are in much less detailed and descriptive black and white); also, the illustration of severe weather is rather limited. We don't see features of a severe thunderstorm, or satellite images of a hurricane at its various stages of intensity (or an illustrated discussion of satellite pictures in general - this guide may be from 1981, but satellites existed then!), or the forms a tornado can take, or where one can form - we only have photos of distant, non-severe looking cumulonimbus (thunderstorm) clouds, a view of clouds around a hurricane taken from a plane (which isn't the perspective either a satellite or someone on the groud is going to have), and one photo of a tornado chosen for its historical merit only (it being the "first photo taken of a tornado," near Howard, SD on 8/28/1884 - an older photo, taken near either Garnett or Westphalia, KS on 4/26/1884, has since been found). [Regarding the thunderstorm/tornado images, I realize this isn't supposed to be a NOAA spotter's guide, therefore gospel, but a variety of images helps.]

But if a lack of color doesn't bother you, and you know your severe storms (or they don't bother you, either), this is a good field guide to have. ... Read more

Book Description

With up to 80% of accidents attributed to pilot error, this new series is critically important. It identifies and examines the ten top areas of concern to pilot safety. Each book contains real-life pilot stories drawn from FAA/NASA databases, valuable "save-yourself" techniques and an action agenda of preventive techniques pilots can implement to avoid risks. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Very General Study of Weather Hazards
I had high hopes for this book when I bought it. The book promised large gains in my aviation weather knowledge. I actually felt a little underwhelmed to be honest. This is, in essence, an introductory level aviation weather textbook.

I am a current airline pilot flying MD-80's, and think that as a General Aviation weather resource, this book is OK. It would be particularly useful for someone studying for their Instrument rating or initial Commercial certificate. For jet transport operations, though, this book is only marginally useful.

This book does contain good information, but understand that it is not very detailed information (I read the entire book in two hours in a hotel room), and is marginally useful to experienced turbine pilots. The book is partly redeemed by numerous case studies, that show the relevance of the materiel. The case studies are very interesting, but lack depth. For better case studies I recommend the NASA ASRS monthly reports (blue sheets) that are mailed free to interested people. For better real world weather flying, stick with Richard Collins for GA or "Fly The Wing" by Jim Webb for turbine flying. ... Read more

Book Description

Meteorology brings the atmosphere into your classroom with 19 hands-on activities, ten supplemental readings, and a thorough resource guide.Learn to read weather maps and make forecasts; model the water cycle on a tabletop; and use real data to track Hurricane Andrew over ocean and land.Other activities explain why the equator heats more quickly than the poles and why dust is needed for cloud formation.Supplemental readings provide educators with the detail they need to feel comfortable with each topic.Now includes SCILinks. ... Read more

Book Description

Applies successive bifurcations approach to complex time-dependent processes in large scale atmospheric dynamics, geomagnetism, and theoretical climate dynamics. Presentation of results on planetary-scale phenomena in the earth's atmosphere, ocean, cryosphere, mantle and core provides an integrated account of mathematical theory and methods together with physical phenomena and processes. Brings together modern tools of nonlinear mathematics and the problems of global change in the environment. ... Read more

Book Description

The material in this Field Guide is a condensed version of similar material found in two textbooks: 'Laser Beam Propagation through Random Media' (SPIE Vol. PM53) and 'Laser Beam Scintillation with Applications' (SPIE Vol. PM99). Topics chosen for this concise presentation include a review of classical Kolmogorov turbulence theory, Gaussian-beam waves in free space, and atmospheric effects on a propagating optical wave. These atmospheric effects have great importance in a variety of applications like imaging, free space optical communications, laser radar, and remote sensing. This Guide presents tractable mathematical models from which the practitioner can readily determine beam spreading, beam wander, spatial coherence radius (Fried's parameter), angle of arrival fluctuations, scintillation, aperture averaging effects, fade probabilities, bit error-rates, and enhanced backscatter effects, among others. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Best book to learn about lightning and related subjects
Within my awareness, this is the best author on the physics of lightning (voltage, current, charge, speed, event sequence, frequency of occurrence, length/width of channel, temperature, etc). Related subjects such as injuries, death rate, damage, protection, thunderstorms, harnessing power, etc are also discussed. The book could use updating with data acquired in the last 16 years (1986-2002). An improvement to the book could be more info on lightning protection. Another book by Uman, 'Lightning', is less general and more technical about the physics of lightning.

Interesting book.
I recommend this book to all who have any interest in natural science. I was personally surprised at how interesting of a read this book was. Ulman did well brining to "light" topics that have plagued me about lightning since my childhood. He also satiated my engineering taste for technical aspects of the electrical phenomena. Photographs and diagrams add well to the text and support the facts presented without overburdening the reader with too much information.

Well Done.
Martin Umans book of, what I would call an intro to lightning (if there is such a thing). I dont claim to be a scientist or know much about the weather, however I found many of Umans boo fascinating as his writing was clear and easy to understand. Some of the technical aspects were a little above me, yet learning about the different kinds of lightning, what lightning does and what is typical to expect from lightning I found very...well....enlightening (sorry about the pun). I found it to be a fun book that was a delight to read.

Lightning Explained Simply
Dr. Uman's book is excellent! It gives clear, concise answers about what we know (and don't know) about Lightning in the form of question and answer essays. Includes special topics, such as Ball Lightning as well as ways to keep yourself safe during electrical storms. Extensive bibliography -- very useful for any laymen who is interested in the subject.

A brilliant book! It makes your world a little bit bigger!!
Clear, concise, entertaining. Uman takes on the 50 most common questions about lightning and gives explanations in plain English. It's rather like a whiteboard conversation with a skilled teacher. Backed up by his vastly more technical monograph (published separately, more a 1st year graduate student book) Uman can give you new eyes for an everyday experience. This is a quick read and an excellent choice for introducing young adults into science ... Read more

Book Description

The purpose of this book is to help the climatologist understand the basic precepts of the statistician's art and to provide some of the background needed to apply statistical methodology correctly and usefully. The book is self contained: introductory material, standard advanced techniques, and the specialized techniques used specifically by climatologists are all contained within this one source. There are a wealth of real-world examples drawn from the climate literature to demonstrate the need, power and pitfalls of statistical analysis in climate research. ... Read more

Book Description

Synoptic meteorology, the study of large-scale weather systems and forecasting using observation, and dynamic meteorology, the study of the laws of physics involved in air movement, are treated in this major new text in two volumes. The author, a meteorologist noted for his research on tornadoes and severe storms, based his work on material he has taught for the past 14 years at the University of Oklahoma. There are no modern texts on the topic. Volume II covers the formation, motion and climatology of extratropical weather systems in the context of the quasigeostrophic theory and "IPV" thinking, the formation and structure of fronts and jets, applications of semigeostrophic theory, and the observed structure and dynamics of precipitation systems in midlatitudes. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

thorough coverage of synoptic meteorology
Bluestein's second volume is much more qualitative than the first; instead of dozens of derivations, he gives the reader a solid discussion of cyclones, applications of QG theory, fronts, jets, and then severe weather.

If you are new to meteorology, you'll still need a strong mathmematical background to follow Bluestein's text. The book is written at the academic level...I believe that it is best suited as a reference for those with prior courses in meteorology.

There are not many review problems at the end of any of the three chapters; this is disappointing, as there could easily be dozens (or more!) per section. Still, Bluestein's two-volume series is a must-have for all serious meteorologists.

Well written college Text
This is the 2nd of 2 books written by Dr. Bluestein to teach synoptic and dynamic meteorology to undergraduate college students. Unlike other textbooks, this textbook takes the time to show alot more of the steps in the derivation of equations used in meteorology. Of course this has added to the size of the book but the fact that the author has taken the care to include this in his book is quite helpful for those learning meteorology. It is a useful reference book.

All the weather plus the mathematics behind it
This is the second of two volumes by Bluestein and it is filled with useful information and presented in an engaging manner. Many meteorology textbooks (unfortunately) choose between presenting synoptic meteorology and dynamic meteorology--you're left to synthesize them yourself. The great virtue of this volume is that they're both here in all their glory, so you not only learn the mathematics but also get a feel for modern synoptic analysis. Bluestein is perhaps most famous for his tornado chases, but this volume proves that he is also a master of theory.

Holton Takes A Vacation
Definitely a much more readable and applicable discussion of dynamic meteorology than the archetype book by Holton.

Part II is more geered toward operational forecasting and if you had dynamic meteo in college and still have Holton, only purchase Part II. Part I is a nice review of what you should have all ready known and only really used again since college if you are in grad school...otherwise, Part 2 is great, detailing synoptic wx systems and the interaction with QGOE forcing, etc...a nice comprehensive review, and some things new too, well worth the buy (only drawback is the price, ouch!!!)

Lovley Lovley book
I loved how Howard used his adventures to write this book and it helps other people relize how hard his job is and how dangerous it is...also at the same time exciting....I think this book was a wonderful enjoyment to read. ... Read more