Weather Books

The Early Universe provides an excellent introduction to the topics it covers, including the standard big bang cosmology, baryogenesis and inflation. I read Dodelson's Modern Cosmology before this text, and the two compliment each other. The Early Universe provides a more complete and physically intuitive description of the standard big bang cosmology, including the role of thermodynamics, nucleosynthesis and out-of-equilibrium dynamics. Because of the attention to the "background" dynamics, and also to baryogenesis, phase transitions, inflation, and other applications of high energy physics, one gets a better sense of the "bigger picture" with Kolb and Turner's text. On the other hand, The Early Universe lacks any technical discussion of metric perturbations and CMB analysis, which are important components of much current research. These are highly emphasized in Dodelson's text. For appropriate topics, I have found The Early Universe to be a very good reference.

To the publisher I would appreciate it if the publisher could produce an audio adaptation of this book. I would love to listen to this while I drive to work and to let my 16 month old son listen to it as a bedtime story. Arnold D Veness

In just about all the stories presented here we have some common elements - western US setting, characters down on their luck and sometimes a little rough, and usually a positive or reaffirming message despite the messy environment Hyde has created.

While no specific story stands out as grand art, all are good reads that show skill in creating characters and carrying a story forward in a short space of time. In too many short stories it seems like there's no point, that the whole thing was a college course exercise in creating a single scene. Or its the opposite extreme in which you've got all plot and no character to care about. Hyde somehow does the miraculous and pulls both off in just about every story here. And she does it all in a positive and life affirming way.

Far and away, I consider this her best work. This is perhaps not a popular view among Catherine Ryan Hyde fans, but her later work has gotten sloppy, especially in her last two books, "Electric God" and "Walter's Purple Heart" in which she presents us with unrealistic characters and situations. But that is simply not the case here.

If you've read any of Hyde's later books and you want more then I highly recommend "Earthquake Weather." You'll be pleasantly surprised that perhaps her best book ever is the one that's sadly out of print.

_Earthquake Weather_ is, at first read, a surprisingly calming collection of stories about people at violent points in their lives, choosing non-violent coping methods. I found myself pausing for a few minutes after each story to wonder if I would have been as graceful as Hyde's characters had I been in their situations. After more reflection, however, the book has a definite anger running through it, as if each protagonist is raising hands to the sky to ask "why?," quietly furious that the answer is not waiting there. Characters from all walks of life can be found in this collection, from an unlikely pair of secretive male lovers to a scared little boy and his best friend, the war veteran, to a guarded and needy recent divorcee and the unwilling subject in her revenge plot. This book is utterly involving and not unlike a long train trip, watching people out the window. Here, instead of just wondering, you actually find out what their lives are like.

Stanley Chagnon and his colleagues have written the best, and most comprehensive analysis of what really happened with the biggest climate event of the century, the 1997-1998 El Nino. What is unique about this book is that they carefully look at both the devastation that occured and the positive impacts from the mild winter -- fewer deaths from ice storms, more shopping when people went out in milder weather, less fuel oil. They also point out the places where the forecast worked, and where it had problems. As society gets more and more sensitive to weather events, we will need more thoughtful probing into how we have responded and how we will respond. This book sets the stage, and is written by experts who have analyzed other big weather events. I strongly recommend it.

Stanley Changnon and his colleagues have written the best, and most comprehensive analysis of what really happened with the biggest climate event of the century, the 1997-1998 El Nino. What is unique about this book is that they carefully look at both the devastation that occured and the positive impacts from the mild winter -- fewer deaths from ice storms, more shopping when people went out in milder weather, less fuel oil. They also point out the places where the forecast worked, and where it had problems. As society gets more and more sensitive to weather events, we will need more thoughtful probing into how we have responded and how we will respond. This book sets the stage, and is written by experts who have analyzed other big weather events. I strongly recommend it.

This survey of the El Nino phenomenon examines world systems of climate and change, bringing together the latest historical and scientific discoveries about El Nino and its effects on civilizations. Archaeological records and scientific surveys are used in the course of considering the past effects of El Nino and its possibilities for the future of Earth's climate.

The extreme weather condition known as El Nino is part of a much bigger world weather system linking the North Atlantic Oscillation, the Asian monsoon, and the Pacific El Nino. Several El Nino episodes took place during the Little Ice Age between 1200 and 1900, especially in the 1570-1740 time frame. Based upon archaeological findings as well as historical records, El Nino: History And Crisis is a superb history of the impact upon human civilizations of this phenomena down to the present day, and offers timely warnings of the likely effects of future weather-affecting climate changes on agriculture and public health. Highly recommended reading for anyone with an interest in the environment.

As a physicist with no experience in climatology, I'm finding this book a good source of information to help sort out the many conflicting views on climate change. Readers will find some background in mathematics helpful, but not essential, in understanding the material.

This is pure Climate Theory straight to the veins. I chose this book looking for something that clearly explain the theory behind atmosphere, ocean and the problem of global warming without going into the details and this is what I found in this book, plus a wonderful explanation for the non-specialist. There are formulae in this book, but in my case, I focused more in the concepts.
The book is masterfully arranged, with lots of tables, figures and references, covering topics such as Ozone layer, clouds and aerosols, energy transfer, astronomicals changes that affect climate, measuring systems, other planets climates and more. Excellent book Mr. Taylor.

My kids and I both love the whimsical nature of both Farmer Brown books by Teri Sloat. The wording and pictures go perfectly together and are good for a laugh and putting us all in a fun and silly mood. I hope there are more Farmer Brown adventures to come!

Teri Sloat is the author of several books including: The Thing That Bothered Farmer Brown, and she lives near a farm. Nadine Bernard Westcott is also no stranger to farms and animal sounds.

All the animals are just comical. The cat is also quite cute. At the beginning, all the animals are making their normal animally sounds. The pigs are oinking, the cows moo.

But then he heard a rumbling sound That made his smile turn upside down. ...."Look out!" he cried. "A twister's coming!"

The following pages will bring giggles as all the animals get caught up in the clothes line and the expressions on the sheep's faces.....you just have to see it!

When the twister drops them all, the sheep are clucking and the cows are oinking. More silliness continues as the sheep take over the roost and the muddy, oinking cows get slopped.

The rooster takes over the farmer's job and tells everyone what to do. Fortunately another twister hits and sets things right again.

"Except on days when strong winds blew...."

A purely silly delight!

~The Rebecca Review

Primary grade scientists will study all about the wind and how it's made when hot and cold air interact, and how the wind can be harnessed to help us and how it can wear down even the strongest rocks by erosion.

Simple directions for making a weather vane are also included. (Younger children will require assistance.)

Young readers will adore this book.

"Feel the Wind" is a great tool for teaching children about the wind and the weather. Arthur Dorros defines wind and its uses in a way that children can easily understand. The book includes the causes of wind, ways wind is used by man and nature, and easy directions for making a weather vane. This book is a must for any young meterorologist.

Excellent review - I was at the Cajundome as a volunteer, and it was truly amazing to see how this small city was run so smoothly. It was really interesting to read some of the behind-the-scenes information, the results of which were part of my experience. I remember the Red Cross people pretty much stayed in their air conditioned quarters, staying cool. They would come out occasionally, clean and fresh, with their clipboards, to the outside area where we volunteers were working tirelessly sorting contributions in the searing heat, and say "good job!" and go back into their isolated area. How patronizing! I worked on the meal service, too, sometimes - it was truly amazing how that amount of people could be fed GOOD FOOD, so quickly and courteously! Lafayette truly rose to the occasion without red tape or fuss. Volunteers came from all over the country, at their own expense and without being asked. Once there, it was up to everyone to make up his or her own job and get things done. It was an incredible experience and I thought this book gave a really nice picture of it, at least from one who was there.

While world-wide attention was given to the many Katrina horror stories that took place in the Superdome and Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, little notice was taken of a very different story that occurred in the Cajundome of Lafayette, also filled with a multitude the storm displaced.

The Cajundome, in fact, had to cope with a double whammy when days after Katrina struck, Hurricane Rita pummeled the western Louisiana coast sending yet more refugees to the facility.

The staff of the Cajundome and volunteers, many of them descendants of the refugees of the Acadian Diaspora of 1755, on the whole welcomed the 21st century refugees with empathy, kindness, efficiency, and ingenuity. This is the story that Ann B. Dobie tells in her lucid, well-written, and moving chronicle of the 58 days in 2005 during which the Cajundome was used as a shelter.

There are villains also in this story, but the overwhelming emphasis of the book is on the success of the effort to provide shelter and comfort to those made homeless by the two disasters, when the Cajundome staff and the many volunteers treated those fleeing the storms more like guests than intruders.

There is much to be learned from this book. It should be required reading for all those involved in disaster planning. The book also amply illustrates the qualities of the people of Acadian Louisiana who have long made it a good and human place to live. I recommend this book very highly.

This book points out some major flaws in the belief that man has caused the current climate change or that our attempts to reduce carbon will have much affect. As this country begins to pass laws to reduce carbon, which will cost our economy dearly, we should stop and consider the points Mr. Stweard makes in this book. A must read for any intelligent voting American.

THIS IS A MUST READ FOR ANYONE WHO IS SKEPTICAL ABOUT ALL OF THE GLOBAL WARMING HYSTERIA AND WANTS REAL FACTS FROM A REAL SCIENTIST WRITTEN IN ACCESSBILE LAYMEN'S TERMS.

I've always been a Richard Collins fan -- even when I was 11 and bought "Flying" magazine off the drug store rack and pored over every article -- understanding maybe 15%.

The percentage is higher now, but I still need to read and re-read to fully comprehend all the material presented.

The chapter on Lows is worth the price of this book. Every IFR and VFR pilot should buy and read this book. If you find you don't understand half of what Dick is talking about, it's time to go back to the basic Aviation Weather texts and get up to speed. Nothing is more critical to GA flying safety than the PIC's complete understanding of the Weather picture before launch and during flight.

This is one of the best books that I've come across. Richard L. Collins does a great job of covering the basics of weather and what is really going on in order to build on real useful knowledge. Once he completes that, Richard takes you on 40+ actual flights where he talks about the briefing that he got, what the weather is really like and what the NOOA maps showed after the flight (since they always look at the past).

You learn more than just about weather. You learn about how to work with FSS, what to ask, and why forecasts are sometimes so different than actual when they shouldn't be. After reading this, I felt a lot more confident about my IFR weather planning and flying and look at the weather with a whole new mind set.

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