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The Cloudspotter's Guide: The Science, History, and Culture of Clouds

by Gavin Pretor-Pinney

Average based on 1 comment. Synopses & Reviews Customer Comments (1) ISBN13: 9780399533457 ISBN10: 0399533451 Condition: Standard All Product Details Only 3 left in stock at $6.95!

 

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

A quirky, clever guide for everyone who loves to look up.

Where do clouds come from? Why do they look the way they do? And why have they captured the imagination of timeless artists, Romantic poets, and every kid who's ever held a crayon? Journalist and lifelong sky watcher Gavin Pretor-Pinney reveals everything there is to know about clouds, from history and science to art and pop culture. Cumulus, nimbostratus, and the dramatic and seemingly surfable Morning Glory cloud are just a few of the varieties explored in this smart, witty, and eclectic tour through the skies.

Generously illustrated with striking photographs and line drawings featuring everything from classical paintings to lava lamps, children's drawings, and Roman coins, The Cloudspotter's Guide will have science and history buffs, weather watchers, and the just plain curious floating on cloud nine.

Review:

"With tongue firmly in cheek and more than a little irony, Pretor-Pinney, founder of the Cloud Appreciation Society, clears up any confusion readers may have about what separates a stratus from a cirrus from a cumulonimbus. He starts at the bottom-that is, at sea level-and discusses the types of clouds that form at each level in the atmosphere. The result is an amusing and remarkably informative jaunt through the heavenly vapors that draws on classical poetry, physics, geekery and pop culture. Despite this improbable mélange, Pretor-Pinney succeeds in fleshing out subtleties and making difficult concepts like convection, advection, condensation and atmospheric optics comprehensible to almost any reader. The author has included dozens of illustrations, cloud photos (including one that looks like two cats dancing and another that resembles Thor hurling a lightning bolt) and diagrams showing the anatomy and lifecycles of clouds. Rounding out the volume are a chapter on the human effects on clouds and a narrative about the author's pursuit of the 'Morning Glory,' which he calls 'the most spectacular cloud in the world.' By mixing self-deprecating humor and hard science, Pretor-Pinney makes learning about clouds fun." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Review:

"[A]n amusing and remarkably informative jaunt through the heavenly vapors that draws on classical poetry, physics, geekery and pop culture....By mixing self-deprecating humor and hard science, Pretor-Pinney makes learning about clouds fun." Library Journal

Review:

"For the author, cloudspotting is a gentle and reflective pursuit, one well-served by knowledge. He mixes physics, chemistry, literature and myth (according to ancient Hindu and Buddhist beliefs, Cumulus clouds are the spiritual cousins of elephants), and includes many delightfully captioned illustrations." Marilyn Dahl, Shelf Awareness

Review:

"Lively, literate and great fun to read." Kirkus Reviews

Synopsis:

Generously illustrated with striking photographs and line drawings, this text reveals the facts, trivia, and history of clouds and society's fascination with them.

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About the Author

Gavin Pretor-Pinney is cofounder of The Idler magazine in England. He has been obsessed with clouds since childhood. Based in London, he is the founder of the Cloud Appreciation Society, which boasts more than 5,000 members worldwide.

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What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 1 comment:

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too little space, September 1, 2011 (view all comments by too little space)
this author really loves his clouds. He makes you really appreciate all the artistry the Earth's atmosphere creates all day every day. While you learn about the science of clouds, you will be hard-pressed to not chuckle at his sly wit just a little...and find yourself learning to love clouds like the author does.

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Product Details

ISBN:

9780399533457

Author:

Gavin Pretor-Pinney

Publisher:

Perigee Books

Author:

Pretor-Pinney, Gavin

Author:

Pretor-Pinney, Gavin

Subject:

Weather

Subject:

Earth Sciences - Meteorology & Climatology

Subject:

Nature Studies-General

Copyright:

2006

Edition Description:

Mass Market

Publication Date:

June 2007

Binding:

TRADE PAPER

Grade Level:

from 12

Language:

English

Illustrations:

Y

Pages:

320

Dimensions:

7.92x5.30x.70 in. .73 lbs.

Age Level:

from 18

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The Cloudspotter's Guide: The Science, History, and Culture of Clouds Used Trade Paper Gavin Pretor-Pinney

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$6.95 In Stock

Product details 320 pages Perigee Books - 2007-06-14 English 9780399533457 Reviews:

"Publishers Weekly Review" by Publishers Weekly, "With tongue firmly in cheek and more than a little irony, Pretor-Pinney, founder of the Cloud Appreciation Society, clears up any confusion readers may have about what separates a stratus from a cirrus from a cumulonimbus. He starts at the bottom-that is, at sea level-and discusses the types of clouds that form at each level in the atmosphere. The result is an amusing and remarkably informative jaunt through the heavenly vapors that draws on classical poetry, physics, geekery and pop culture. Despite this improbable mélange, Pretor-Pinney succeeds in fleshing out subtleties and making difficult concepts like convection, advection, condensation and atmospheric optics comprehensible to almost any reader. The author has included dozens of illustrations, cloud photos (including one that looks like two cats dancing and another that resembles Thor hurling a lightning bolt) and diagrams showing the anatomy and lifecycles of clouds. Rounding out the volume are a chapter on the human effects on clouds and a narrative about the author's pursuit of the 'Morning Glory,' which he calls 'the most spectacular cloud in the world.' By mixing self-deprecating humor and hard science, Pretor-Pinney makes learning about clouds fun." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

"Review" by Library Journal, "[A]n amusing and remarkably informative jaunt through the heavenly vapors that draws on classical poetry, physics, geekery and pop culture....By mixing self-deprecating humor and hard science, Pretor-Pinney makes learning about clouds fun."

"Review" by Marilyn Dahl, Shelf Awareness, "For the author, cloudspotting is a gentle and reflective pursuit, one well-served by knowledge. He mixes physics, chemistry, literature and myth (according to ancient Hindu and Buddhist beliefs, Cumulus clouds are the spiritual cousins of elephants), and includes many delightfully captioned illustrations."

"Review" by Kirkus Reviews, "Lively, literate and great fun to read."

"Synopsis" by Libri, Generously illustrated with striking photographs and line drawings, this text reveals the facts, trivia, and history of clouds and society's fascination with them.