Reviews (58)

The Gathering Heat
It has been estimated that the earth was formed about 4.5 billion years ago and that human beings have inhabited the planet only about 10 to 12 thousand years - ever since the thawing of the last ice age. During our relatively brief time on this planet, we have been fortunate to enjoy moderate temperatures. However, according to Tim Flannery as well as many other students of climate science, the consumption of fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and wood is releasing so much carbon dioxide into the atmosphere that the earth is now warmer than anytime in the last 650,000 years. This is common knowledge to people who read and listen to the news. What is interesting about Flannery's well-written and well-researched book is that he describes in detail the consequences of a few degrees in temperature rise. If the earth's temperature rises a few degrees thousands of species and ecosystems will die, a few more still and it will kill off the human race.
Another book on global warming?You bet!
I was a bit skeptical picking this book up, as this looks like just another book on climate change, and written by an Australian to boot.I gave it a chance, and was impressed.
The future is in our hands
Here is a well-written, factual, easy-to-read book on how we are affecting our planet and the urgency for all of us to change our ways.Everyone should read this book and take note of the great impact we have on our planet and what we can do to abate the destruction we are leaving in our wake.This book will change how you live your life forever. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Climate Changes    2. Climatic changes    3. Earth Sciences - Meteorology & Climatology    4. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    5. Environmental Science    6. Global warming    7. Nature    8. Science    9. Science/Mathematics    10. Weather    11. Nature / Environmental Conservation & Protection   

Reviews (12)

A significant rallying cry for Geographers, who appear academically lost in 'space'
Those earth systems scientists involved in global change modelling, andgeographers willing to dab at policy, would benefit from examining Lovelock's pedictions for thefuture state of our planet as we fail to stop carbon emissions.The most significant part of the book (for a geographer): Lovelock predicts climate change will force mass migrations as portions of continents rapidly become inhospitable to our species.
Seperating Scientist from Environmentalist
Excellent book which really pushes the urgency of global warming based on science. It's too late for sustained development. The case is made for nuclear power and how that might be the only technology that can save the planet. A must read for a scientific view of man's damage to the planet -- not an environmentalist view.

winter
There are many wise people sounding warnings but no one of great consequence making an urgent stand and bravely attempting to lead the essential battle. Terrorism is the thorn of a rose compared to environmental catastrophe. We should fight to save the world with a religious zeal. But where is the call to arms? Al Gore needs to run for president because the prophet of doom role, really, doesn't do anyone any good. Knowledge doesn't keep you alive. I rather see humanity make a mistake trying to rescue the planet than take no action at all. Why is everyone asleep? What then shall we do? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Climate Changes    2. Climatic changes    3. Earth Sciences - Meteorology & Climatology    4. Environmental Science    5. Environmental Studies    6. Gaia hypothesis    7. Global warming    8. Science    9. Science/Mathematics    10. Chemical pollution   

Reviews (5)

Excellent, Mind and Eye-opening book
Just like the author, I've always been fascinated by clouds. I find myself constantly looking up at them. I don't know about other people, but they seem just as beautiful as they always have, even the ones that will pour down. When people come across new knowledge, it usually comes with new appreciation.
More Heads in the Clouds, Please
"Blue skies, smiling at me," goes the Irving Berlin song, "Nothing but blue skies do I see."Berlin thought that was a good thing, but Gavin Pretor-Pinney would not.For him, clouds are there to be enjoyed, and they make that blue more beautiful by its being in the background.He does not feel there is anything depressing about having "a cloud on the horizon" and he sees no reason that we should link clouds with catastrophe, as in "clouds of doom", or with ill-will as in "clouds of suspicion".He feels clouds are underappreciated, and so a couple of years ago, he founded the Cloud Appreciation Society, complete with badges.As he says, "Of course, an organization only exists when it has a website," and indeed the CAS has one, full of photographs and poems by members, a picture of the Cloud of the Month, and chat rooms, with this stated purpose: "If you've got something to tell us, we'd love to hear it. But only if it is about clouds. Otherwise we're not interested."Pretor-Pinney would like us all to be cloudspotters, and has produced _The Cloudspotter's Guide: The Science, History, and Culture of Clouds_ (Perigee), a witty and informative volume for those who want to take an educated view of his favorite subject.He emphatically agrees with John Constable, who could paint clouds like no one else: "We see nothing truly until we understand it."The book cannot fail in its mission of increasing both understanding and seeing.
Cloud-lovers delight
This is a terrific book for anyone who likes clouds, the sky -- the outdoors, really. It's a delightful, readable combination of basic information (on cloud types, for example) and interesting, cloud- and weather-related anectdotes and stories. The humor can be corny, but there is plenty of it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Clouds    2. Earth Sciences - Meteorology & Climatology    3. Meteorology (Specific Aspects)    4. Nature    5. Observer's manuals    6. Science    7. Science/Mathematics    8. Weather    9. Nature / General   

Reviews (22)

Lacks a Certain Whatsit
Kolbert's extended magazine article series on climate change (global warming) was slightly interesting.I appreciated that she was able to make her point in 187 pages, but I still felt like I was forcing myself to eat brussel sprouts.
good addition to the genre
Recent (March 2006) addition to the literature addressed to the mythical educated layman on the issue of anthrogenic climate change.
Are you guilty?
The "envirosceptic" remains a potent force.It's hard to know if that's merely depressing or downright dangerous.Envirosceptics are enthusiastic gardeners: they root about seeking an attractive seed.Once found, the seed is nurtured and pandered to ceaselessly in the hope that it will bear fruit.Such seeds are numbers.They reflect an "unknown" portion of what we understand about our changing world.While the sceptics would like that seed to become a glorious blossom, it always turns out to be a weed.The sceptics are working enclosed in mental greenhouses.Others are outside finding out how the changes are affecting people and places.
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Subjects:  1. Climate Changes    2. Earth Sciences - Meteorology & Climatology    3. Environmental Science    4. Environmental Studies    5. Global environmental change    6. Global temperature changes    7. Global warming    8. Science    9. Science/Mathematics    10. Weather    11. Science / Environmental Science   

Reviews (147)

"The End of the World" story has been a best seller for thousands of years...
Another left-wing, hippie idiot who dropped out of any sort of real career in 1975 has to sustain himself by writing this anti-technology dystopic rubbish.I'm sure that he has plenty of ideological fellow travelers in Hollywood with whom he should team up to make another version of "12 Monkeys" or "The Fight Club."This is just left-wing, nihilist, anti-human rubbish motivated by a hatred of humanity and mans' productive capacity.
end to the fossil fuel feast
About a month ago i finished this book, The Long Emergency, but James Howard Kunstler. I had read him before in Home from Nowhere: he is a very articulate voice about sprawl with great recognition of not just its environmental impacts but also its spiritual and community impacts.
hateful agenda posing as economic analysis
With so many serious perspectives available on "peak oil", there is no reason to waste time on this screed, which only uses peak oil as a platform to cast aspersions on everything the author hates.
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Subjects:  1. Earth Sciences - Meteorology & Climatology    2. Environmental Policy    3. Government - U.S. Government    4. Industries - Energy Industries    5. Petroleum    6. Petrology (General)    7. Political Science    8. Politics / Current Events    9. Politics/International Relations    10. Public Policy - Environmental Policy    11. Political Science / Public Policy / Environmental Policy   

Editorial Review

On September 8, 1900, a massive hurricane slammed into Galveston, Texas. A tidal surge of some four feet in as many seconds inundated the city, while the wind destroyed thousands of buildings. By the time the water and winds subsided, entire streets had disappeared and as many as 10,000 were dead--making this the worst natural disaster in America's history.Read more

Reviews (233)

Hurricanes, other killer storms & reporting on these to the public
Background
" ISAAC'S STORM"
NOT MUCH TO ADD TO THE GREAT REVIEWS I HAVE READ HERE SINCE READING THIS BOOK MYSELF . IF YOU ARE INTRIGUED OR JUST INTERESTED IN MAN AGAINS THE ELEMENTS ( and losing ) THIS IS ONE MORE TO ADD TO YOUR READING MUSTS .
Scary story of destructive weather
Isaac's Storm by Erik Larsen is a compelling read.It's the story of the events leading up to the 1900 hurricane that devastated Galveston, Texas.The time was so different.Today we're starting to see the results of our indiscriminate destruction of the environment in the melting of the polar caps and global warming.In 1900, meteorologists were of the belief that someday they would be able to control the weather, stop hail, start rain, there was nothing they couldn't do.And they hoarded their responsibility and priviledge from any who might disagree.Into this political climate blew a storm that would change not only an entire city, but National Weather Bureau, but especially the people who lived through it.Larsen does an excellent job of building the timeline by focusing on just a few people to tell the tragedy.Occasionally he uses the tired technique of ending a chapter on a cliffhanger to heighten and maintain interest.It's not necessary; the story is powerful enough with cheesy literary devices.My only other complaint about the book is the lack of photographs.While it sounds gruesome, pictures of the city before and after the hurricane would help heighten the story.The Isaac in the title is Isaac Cline, head of the National Weather Bureau at the time who ignored the signs of the city's impending doom and suffered for it personally in many ways.This is a horrible story that still holds lessons for us today. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Earth Sciences - Meteorology & Climatology    3. Floods    4. Galveston    5. Galveston (Tex.)    6. History    7. History - U.S.    8. History: World    9. Hurricanes    10. Natural Disasters    11. Texas    12. United States - 20th Century    13. United States - 20th Century (1900-1945)    14. United States - General    15. United States - State & Local - South    16. History / United States / 20th Century   

Reviews (8)

Great Intro text book
One of the best introduction to metrology I have read.Great for any anyone that is interested in the weather.Gives more information then average books that are found at local book stores.Also the on line tests help you know what you have learned.

Great Book
This is a great book. It was expensive (aren't all college textbooks?), but worth it.
Disappointing extras
For a meteorology reference tool, save money and buy the book used without the CD or infotrac.The blueskies CD is only good for one year from activiation according to the license agreement and infotrac is a 4 month subscription to online databases that are largely available for free at the public library. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Earth Sciences - Meteorology & Climatology    2. Meteorology    3. Physics    4. Science    5. Science/Mathematics    6. Weather    7. Science / Meteorology   

Reviews (7)

you can't find an alternative.
when i was a student, i used to think, like many other reviewers, that the book is extremely dry. but now as a researcher in atmospheric-oceanic dynamics, i realise that the book is useful in explaining the most essential and elementary theories behind the dynamics one can encounter in meteorology or climate dynamics.
An Underrated Text
This book, often simply referred to as "Holton", has been roundly cursed by undergraduates since it was first published. I know, because I was one of them.However, as the years went by, and as the number of classes requiring Holton as a text went by, I realized two things.First, that this book was not meant to hold your hand through all the derivations.It requires a competent instructor who can use Holton as a detailed companion to rigorous coursework.This book is NOT for the average person who wishes to study alone.The second thing is that this book was written to fill a gap.There were no similar atmospheric dynamics texts.As a consequence, it must cover a large amount of material in a rather small, college textbook-sized space.It does this well.Yes, the author's writing style is dry to the extreme, and yes, physical explanations are often lacking.However, if you have access to a competent professor, neither of these are problems.One final thought... as we call the book simply "Holton" remember that Frankenstein's monster is often called simply "Frankenstein", but we will leave comparisons to the reader - and to the author!

Paramount
Useful introduction to dynamic meteorology.Covers many fundamental concepts and concisely.It is not a good fluid dynamics book.It is developed for the atmospheric scientist.It contains an exceptional chapter on waves.Also, there are some elementary concepts related to stratospheric dynamics and general circulation that are very well-written. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Dynamic meteorology    2. Earth Sciences - General    3. Earth Sciences - Meteorology & Climatology    4. General    5. Physics    6. Science    7. Science/Mathematics    8. Meteorology    9. Science / Earth Sciences   

Subjects:  1. Ecology    2. Effect of human beings on    3. Environmental Engineering & Technology    4. Environmental sciences    5. Human Ecology    6. Life Sciences - Ecology    7. Nature    8. Science    9. Science/Mathematics    10. Ecological science, the Biosphere    11. Science / Meteorology   

Subjects:  1. Earth Sciences - Meteorology & Climatology    2. Meteorology    3. Science    4. Science/Mathematics    5. Textbooks    6. Weather    7. Science / Meteorology   

Editorial Review

"Climate change is the ignored player on the historical stage," writes archeologist Brian Fagan. But it shouldn't be, not if we know what's good for us. We can't judge what future climate change will mean unless we know something about its effects in the past: "those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it." And Fagan's story of the last thousand years, centered on the "Little Ice Age," reminds us of what we could end up repeating: flood, fire, and famine--acts of God exacerbated by acts of man.Read more

Reviews (43)

Much more than just talk about the weather
The effect of climate on history is undoubtedly profound, but beyond the last century most of what we know about climate comes from indirect estimates gleamed by measuring tree rings, ice cores and other rare artifacts that trace changes in temperature or moisture. In "The Little Ice Age" these clues are combined with historical records to build an insightful history of European peoples.
The havoc caused by climate change
This book describes how climate changes over the past millennium affected humans in Europe and nearby.This time period can be divided into the medieval warm period, the little ice age (roughly from 1300-1850), and the period of global warming.And, wow, will you hear of some really bad weather: summers when the rain almost never stops, sand dunes that move so fast people can barely escape, and glaciers you can see advancing daily.
Nothing Changes like the Weather.
Nothing changes like the weather.But sometimes the weather can change a lot -- like the summer of 1300, when the world's temperature suddenly dipped.Norse settlements were wiped out and plague destroyed half the population of Europe.The Thames river froze over in winter, and Hans Brinker could skate the length of Holland.When the "little ice age" ended five hundred years later, the result was another environmental catastrophe that caused the Irish Potato Famine, and millions of deaths.At a time when we are looking for predictions of what future environmental catastrophe might be like, maybe we should be paying more attention to historians. Is our "just in time" civilization robust enough to deal with the surprises of global warming?Fagan delivers modern science and historical details in a delightful package that will give you new respect for mother nature -- and more than a twinge of apprehension about what might lie just over next summer's horizon.-- Auralgo ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Archaeology    2. Europe - General    3. General    4. History    5. History - General History    6. History: World    7. Weather    8. Climatology    9. Europe    10. European archaeology    11. Geology & the lithosphere    12. Modern period, c 1500 onwards    13. World history    14. c 1000 CE to c 1500   

Reviews (4)

Highly disappointing
While the class I took that used this textbook was informative, this book was full of what seemed to be the authors' personal opinons.Like another person said here in the reviews about blame on the Bush administration, and lack of references aside from photo credits, this book seemed to be geared more towards giving you the biased outlook of the author than an unbiased view of environmental science.
Interestign articles with a thick political spin
This revision must have been specially produced just to include all the anti-Bush rhetoric.In nearly every chapter, responsibility for the current state of the environment is laid squarly on President Bush's administration.
One of the Best
This is one of the most readable environmental texts I've seen.
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Subjects:  1. Earth Sciences - Meteorology & Climatology    2. Ecology    3. Environmental Engineering & Technology    4. Environmental Engineering (General)    5. Environmental Science    6. Environmental Studies    7. Environmental sciences    8. Life Sciences - Ecology    9. Science    10. Science/Mathematics    11. Textbooks    12. Science / Meteorology   

Subjects:  1. Earth Sciences - Meteorology & Climatology    2. Earth Sciences - Oceanography    3. Remote Sensing    4. Science    5. Science/Mathematics    6. Mathematics and Science    7. Meteorology    8. Science / Meteorology    9. applied climatology    10. atmosphere science    11. climatology    12. physical geography   

Subjects:  1. Earth Sciences - Meteorology & Climatology    2. Environmental Science    3. Environmental Studies    4. Life Sciences - Ecology - Forest Ecology    5. Science    6. Science/Mathematics    7. Agriculture & Farming    8. Climatic changes    9. Climatology    10. Environmental chemistry    11. Forestry & related industries    12. Geochemistry    13. Science / Meteorology   

Reviews (7)

Snowflake
This book has lots of wonderful interesting pictures as well as inspirational quotes. A very tranquil book to look at if you need a little escape from the hectic world.

Great Gift with Beautiful Photography
The size and style of this little book is fantastic--the photos make you love winter! The inspirational quotations are an added bonus along with the details about snowflakes and how to photograph them. I got this for a friend whose wedding had a snowflake theme.It was perfect and provided a great memento of her day! I was not a snowflake lover before I saw this book, but now I am hooked.You can even buy the actual photos of the snowflake from Caltech and next winter they will be featured on US postal stamps.Amazing and beautiful.I am so happy with this purchase!

Great for teachers
I use this book as inspiration for my second grade students when we learn about snow and weather. They love it. Beautiful natural photgraphs. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Americana    2. Earth Sciences - Meteorology & Climatology    3. Nature    4. Physics    5. Pictorial works    6. Science    7. Science/Mathematics    8. Snow    9. Snowflakes    10. Weather    11. House & Home / General   

Reviews (10)

Needs editing, proofreading
Sorry, I have to give a different opinion from everyone else here.
Broad and Good Coverage
As the author points out, this does fill the gap between novice (not beginner) and advanced books. That said, it is probably not for someone who is not really interested in weather forecasting as a serious hobby or profession. There is a wealth of information and it is organized very well. It is something that you will certainly want to pick up many times as your knowledge grows about this subject.
Bridges the gap
Geez, if only something like this existed 20 years ago when I was a teenager getting started in the hobby.It's really amazing that after reading this book, I can pick up on some of the most complex weather charts on the Internet and understand quite clearly what is going on.Tim has a way of describing things quite visually and clearly, and highlighting the building blocks of forecasting.Although I'm not a meteorologist myself, my friend who is in the degree program at the University of North Carolina recognizes this title as part of her coursework.I think this really says a lot.Two thumbs up on this one, and if you are the least bit interested in forecasting, trust me, this book had better be on your bookshelf (or better yet, on your desk).It's well worth the investment. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Nature    2. Nature / Weather    3. Nature/Ecology    4. Weather    5. Weather forecasting    6. Climate   

Subjects:  1. Computers - Communications / Networking    2. Design and construction    3. Earth Sciences - Meteorology & Climatology    4. Meteorological instruments    5. Nature    6. Nature/Ecology    7. Networking - General    8. Weather    9. Computer graphics software    10. Nature / Weather   

Reviews (4)

Not what I expected, but not bad
When I saw the title of this book, I had images of butterfly diagrams, an adequate amount of astrophysics and space physics, etc. However, the book's subtitle, "Learning to Live with a Stormy Star" was a much better clue as to the book's contents. Although some stellar/space science is briefly discussed, the main theme of the book is centered on sociological hardships, financial losses, research budgets, business interests, etc., all pertaining to our periodically stormy sun. Especially highlighted are: the survival of expensive satellites in space during less than ideal space weather, the sociological effects of their loss and the effects of this weather on power grids on earth. But my unfulfilled expectations and resulting disappointment should not result in a poor rating for this book. It is well written, very informative and seems to thoroughly cover, I think, what it was apparently intended to cover - hence my rating of 4 stars.

Vital, but strangely incomplete
I am recommending this book to everyone. I am quite convinced by Odenwald's data and studies I have encountered prior to this epochal book that our goverments need to take seriously what the good doctor is warning us about. The threat of unprecedented super-solar flares and Coronal Mass Ejections from our unsteady star, ones that could blank out power-grids, destroy communications satellites and possibly fry increasingly vunerable microchips is something every thinking person should consider. Good introduction for general science readers
Interesting topic, though I judged the coverage to be uneven. Readers wanting an update about solar physics will be disappointed by a lack of details; but this can be supplemented by a visit to NASA’s solar physics Web pages.... Policy-makers should be impressed by the real and potential economic fallout from massive solar plasma discharges; but some of Odenwald’s detailed examples illustrate a coincidental rather than true cause-and-effect relation of solar events to Earth-based calamities. The Exon Valdez disaster is discussed at length before being dismissed, and is referenced later. Several pages detail inconveniences due to a power blackout in the D.C. area which had nothing to do with unusual solar activity. I found these references obtuse — I would have greatly preferred to see more information about the sun.