Weather Books

Fron the 1600's to the Present, this is the "go to" book for Hurricane history affecting the eastern coastline. But more than just weather and geographical facts, Rick "The Hurricane Man" Schwartz has conducted many personal interviews to put a human interest face in this well-read timeline of the Hurricanes' impact, and stories of miraculous survival and devastatingly tragic loss. As Mr. Schwartz reminds, "Hurricane history repeats" and "The Year of the Hurricane is coming"! Are we prepared?

Over the years any number of books have been written about the devastating hurricanes that have struck coastal New England. Likewise, there are a whole host of books available about the history of hurricanes in the great state of Florida. Yet, when he sought to do some research on the history of hurricanes in the Middle Atlantic states Rick Schwartz discovered to his great consternation that very little had been written about the subject and that no really comprehensive book on this topic had ever been written. So Rick Schwartz decided to correct this glaring oversight himself. After more than six years of painstaking research "Hurricanes And The Middle Atlantic States" was released in 2007. This is a book that proves to be well worth your time and attention.
As the complete title would indicate "Hurricanes And The Middle Atlantic States: A Surprising History...From Jamestown To The Present" traces the history of hurricanes in this region from colonial times until the present day. It is a fascinating study. Rick Schwartz conducted more than 100 interviews in putting together this superb book. He also unearthed old newspaper articles, personal letters and state and local government documents in attempting to cobble together the real story. Consequently, there is an interesting narrative on almost all of the storms Rick decided to cover in his book. Schwartz also made a very wise decision by choosing to include track maps on a good many of these hurricanes. This feature greatly enhances the readers understanding of the storms and underscores just how unpredictable they can be. In addition, the inclusion of more than 200 black and white photographs helps readers to gage the full impact of these powerful cyclones and serves to emphasize the need for coastal communities to carefully reconsider public policies that have allowed for reckless overdevelopment on the waterfront. The question is not "if" these areas will be struck by a major hurricane in the future but only "when". Then there is the enormous toll these storms exact on everyday people. For all too many, life will never be the same again. Schwartz devotes considerable time to those who are victimized by hurricanes as well as those public officials who must find new and creative ways to deal with the devastation. High winds, heavy rain, tornadoes and flooding can all combine to wreak havoc for residents in the affected areas. Finally, I would be remiss if I failed to make mention of some of the fascinating local folklore that Rick Schwartz managed to sprinkle in throughout this book. Outstanding stuff!
Every now and then I come across a book like "Hurricanes And The Middle Atlantic States" that really seems to be much more appropriate as a reference volume. This is no knock on Rick Schwartz. This book is extremely well written, meticulously researched and thoughtfully laid out. Yet the stories inevitably do tend to become a bit repetitive and I found myself losing just a bit of interest from time to time. This is hardly surprising when one realizes that this book covers more than 300 years of hurricane history! Having said that, "Hurricanes And The Middle Atlantic States" remains an extremely important addition to the literature on hurricanes in this nation and deserves a spot not only on the shelves of libraries in the Middle Atlantic region but in other parts of the country as well. It is a book that students, researchers and general interest readers will turn to time and again in the decades to come. Highly recommended!

Researched, compiled and written by hurricane historian Rick Schwartz, "Hurricanes And The Middle Atlantic States: A Surprising History, Jamestown To The Present" chronicles four hundred years of the Middle Atlantic region's significant tropical cyclones beginning with the experiences of the Jamestown settlers and continuing down to the present day. A unique and exhaustively researched study, "Hurricanes And The Middle Atlantic States" features a substantial chronology profiling all of the Mid-Atlantic hurricanes and major storms, examines the patterns and characteristics of the region's tropical cyclones, and provides a sound basis for comparison, planning and preparation with respect to Mid-Atlantic hurricanes. Of special note is a forecasting history chapter offering insights into past progress and current knowledge about predicting hurricanes. Ideal for weather and meteorology students, "Hurricanes And The Middle Atlantic States" is especially recommended for non-specialist general readers with an interest in hurricanes and climate-changed influences on storm behavior, frequency, and intensity. Enhanced with an extensive glossary, a bibliography, and a geographically oriented index, as well as track maps and some 200 black-and-white photographs, "Hurricanes And The Middle Atlantic States" is confidently recommended for personal, professional, academic, and community library Weather & Meteorology reference collections.

Fascinating Book!!! Very informative, interesting facts and interviews. A must read for anyone with any interest at all on this topic.

BOOK REVIEW - "HURRICANES AND THE MIDDLE ATLANTIC STATES"
Author: Richard Schwartz (Hardcover - 400 pages)

This incredible book is a first of its kind - dedicated to the storms that have affected the Mid-Atlantic States through the past 300+ years, from the "Year of the Hurricane in 1667" up through Hurricane Jeanne in September 2004. A great reference for all hurricane enthusiasts the book includes explanations of all commonly used technical terms, references, and internet sources for everyone to use. But mostly it covers all the storms that through this extensive historical period had an affect on the mid-Atlantic States region. And Rick has done this with a definite personal touch, going to great lengths to get a "people- perspective" on what actually happened, what people went through during these storms. And he does his best to educate all of us that we are never "out of the woods" as to the future. We may be in a lull for action right now, but that is definitely temporary, and more storms that form in the future will definitely have more profound affects on the Mid-Atlantic region. Anyone and everyone in the mid-Atlantic area should reach out and get this book to have as a reference and to learn about the great effects these powerful storms have on their local areas. As Rick put it, "An understanding of storms past is vital to preparing for those ahead..."

And nice blending of superb photos of snowflakes, with some of the science of them, in non-overwhelming doses. I even like the feel of the book -- nice quality.

I first saw Libbrecht's work in a recent issue of The American Scientist, and was delighted when my wife gifted me with this charming little book. In language that engages without condescending, Libbrecht explains the formation, symmetry, and growth of these miniature crystalline gems. I had just finished reading the book when we had an early-March snowfall. Armed with my modest digital camera and its macro settings, I was able to not only photograph individual snowflakes, but actually see for myself the changes in snowflake morphology as the termperature and humidity varied during the snowstorm. Later, after proudly sharing my photos with friends, they asked to see the book and were as captivated as I. Even if you don't care to understand the physics of snow, it's likely you'll never look at snow the same way. And it was stimulating to see that "snowflakes" are often capped columns or needles. I can't wait until the next snowfall!

This book has the most incredible, beautiful photos of a very transitory subject. What fun!

Caltech physics professor Kenneth Libbrecht burst into the public's awareness when he wrote the text to the stunning 2003 book "The Snowflake: Winter's Secret Beauty", with photographs by Patricia Rasmussen. Even laypeople now associate his name with pioneering research in the science of snow as well as great snowflake photography. In this "Field Guide to Snowflakes", Libbrecht offers a practical guide to snowflake-watching whose intent is to entice the reader outdoors, magnifier in hand, to observe the exquisite and endlessly fascinating "Lilliputian world of snowflakes". He tells us just how to do that, how to decipher a snow crystal's history, and provides a method of classification that will help snowflake-watchers understand what they see.

In the first part of the guide, "Understanding Snowflakes", we learn how snowflakes are created by selectively augmenting ice crystals as they tumble through the clouds. Libbrecht explains the conditions that produce some of snowflakes' characteristics, such as symmetry, crystal faceting, branching, ridges, rims, ribs, and sublimation. And he introduces us to 35 snowflake classifications that he will explain in detail in Part 2. These are fewer than the traditional snow crystal classification system. Libbrecht has chosen to organize snow crystals according to their growth mechanisms for the purpose of this book. This seems to be a practical approach that allows the lay person insight into both the forms of snowflakes and their causes without burdening us with too many abstruse classifications.

Part 2 is the heart of the "Field Guide". Libbrecht's classifications are addressed in detail, with examples and explanations of what conditions produce them and why. Libbrecht's prose is always clear and fluid. His enthusiasm for the beauty and mysteries of snow crystals is evident on every page, so the text is never dry. Forty-four full-page "Case Studies" are placed throughout the book, each with a large photograph and a lively analysis of that snow crystal, so we can see exactly what we should be looking for. The explanations of classifications are also found in Chapter 7 of "The Snowflake: Winter's Secret Beauty", though here they are presented in a form that more easily lends itself to field use. The case studies are new to this book and are worth the price.

The final section of "Ken Libbrecht's Field Guide to Snowflakes" offers advice on how to observe the miniature marvels that looked so fascinating on the preceding pages. Libbrecht presents a choice of magnifiers that will do the job and describes the components of his set-up for photographing snowflakes, including advice on lighting and how to find good specimens. You may want more info if you plan to try your hand at microphotography, but this will give you an idea of what you need and how much it is likely to cost. For more details, see Libbrecht's web site www.snowcrystals(dot)com. The "Field Guide" is a hardcover book 5 ½ x 8 1/4 x ½ inches. It doesn't have a dust jacket; the cover art is printed onto the cover, which is attractive and seems pretty durable. I don't know if you would want to take this book out in a snowstorm, but it is a convenient size for reference.

I got this book for my husband for Christmas and he loves it. Not only does it have the most amazing photographs of actual snowflakes, but it gives more information than you ever thought to ask about snowflakes. My husband enjoys reading all kinds of field guides, whether it's about birds, trees, etc and this was one of his favorites.

If you are looking for something a little less informational, check out Ken Libbrecht's Little Book of Snowflakes. I gave that one out to teachers and friends and was enjoyed by all. It is more of a small coffeetable book with lots of amazing photographs.

My 6.5 year old son loved this book, along with Simon's other books on tornadoes, earthquakes and volcanoes. In fact, I am going to buy him all of Simon's other books. The photographs are amazing and we both learned a lot from the information in the book. They are well written and very high quality. Plus, they are thin, so they're very easy to take on a trip or put in the backpocket of the passenger seat. You can't go wrong with these.

Go on a learning experience so you can find out what lightning is in this amazing book. Kids will have a blast reading this picture book all about the electric bolts from the sky. This book contains breath-taking photographs of different types of lightning over cities, in the solar system, and even near a twister! There is also a lot of history as well including the experiment by Benjamin Franklin. This book is jam-packed with science experiments that kids will enjoy. I recommend this book to kids of all ages who are eager to learn. This is also a very good book to read with your family. In conclusion, don't let the fact that this is a picture book throw you off. It is very informative and interesting. "Lightning" will give you a jolt! Good book! JPW - BP

Seymour Simon has captivated my four year-old son with so many of his books. This one had to be checked out of the library twice! Not only is my son absorbing what mother nature does, but I have learned a lot as well.

By far the best illustrations of any book I've seen about lightning. It also contains two photos from Boston's Museum of Science's electricity show, which are interesting, and a special treat for those of us who have seen that wonderful show.

The content of the book is great and gives more detail about lightning than I've found in other children's books on this subject. An example is giving a list of all the different types of lightning and even revealing three new kinds of lightning discovered in 1995. Who knew? Three other books I read about lightning and storms failed to give the level of detail that Simon chose to include.

Simon tells us what to do if we are caught in a lightning storm but it is done in a careful way with statistics given such as the number of people hit by lightning who lived through is almost double the number who are hit and die as a result of it.

As usual Simon writes in a non-patronizing tone, which I appreciate. We really enjoyed this book. A must-read for learning about the weather!

The full-color photos in this book are absolutely stunning. Lightning towering over a cityscape, hitting a tree, bursting from clouds, even right beside a twisting tornado! The text is large and easy to read. This book provides a wonderful overview of the phenomenon that is lightning, and is appropriate for readers of all ages.

Lucius and the Storm is a rhyming children's picturebook about a young boy who dares to stand up to the threatening black cloud with the potential to ruin his summer vacation. Though Lucius is beaten into a puddle, he rises again, and with help from the flame in the Smoking Stack, he attains victory over the cloud's oppression. The exuberantly fantastic color illustrations add the perfect touch to this whimsical adventure, told in the spirit of larger-than-life legends.

This inspiring story of courage and determination focuses on one boy's efforts to battle the weather. Lucius refuses to have his summer vacation ruined by an impending downpour so--brave soul that he is--he decides to take on the storm and fight to restore sunshine. The oil paintings are simply outstanding--moody, textural, and wonderfully evocative.

This children's book is wonderfully amazing. The artwork is fun and captivating... truly fun for all ages!

I recently read this story to my son's first grade class and they loved it! The vocabulary is wonderfully varied and sophisticated, but the kids enjoyed learning new words. They listened quietly (very unusual!) with wide eyes and actually cheered at the end of the story. A visiting student teacher told me after the class how much she loved the art work and the theme of bravery in the face of adversity. Even my three-year-old likes it and often asks me to read "Yooshus" to him at bedtime. I look forward to more amazing work from this author.

I bought this for my nephew, who very much enjoyed the artwork -- colorful, full-page paintings done by the author. The vocabulary and plot may be a bit sophisticated for younger children, so I think elementary-aged kids would appreciate this more. Nonetheless, an engaging story with terrific illustrations!

This really is a great book if you want some detail on how the atmosphere works - the physics of the atmosphere. The descritive content is so well written and the diagrams so clear that you dont need to go into the algebra and trigonometry to get a deeper understanding of the near earth environment - what goes on there. There are a whole lot of options to go deeper into the maths if you want. Highly recommended for those interested in boundary layer meteorology, weather systems and air pollution dispersion.

This book is book is basic, and derivations are not complicated, it would be a great a book for someone with an interest in Meteorology and engineering.

Want to know a little more about hurricanes? Air pollution? Thunderstorms? Stull presents terrific synopses of many meteorological topics. He doesn't try to be the expert in every sub-specialty in the field; instead, he provides the basic material and encourages the reader to seek additional information from expert books and web sites. I'm currently taking a class in atmospheric transport and diffusion. Stull summarizes the course material and leads me to references I didn't know existed. I'm ordering this book as a reference now and as a starting point for future study.

This is the most complete introductory-advanced book I have seen to date. It covers many pertinient subjects. Important meteorological concepts are explained in enough detail to satisfy even the more advanced users, but simple enough to give the beginner excellent insight. These concepts do not have to be presented in a difficult fashion to make the author appear intelligent - he makes a bold, simple statement by taking tough concepts and making them understandable to the masses!

As the title of this book implies, it was written for those readers who are not specialists in meteorology but who are interested in a more technical introduction to the subject, and not just one written for the "general audience." The book serves this need very well, and it is a joy to read, even if it is not read cover to cover, as was the case for this reviewer. Each topic, weather it is hurricanes, tornadoes, or turbulence, is presented with many examples, with unit and "reasonableness" checks accompanying these examples. The mathematics is straightforward, with the physics being emphasized with numerous back-of-the-envelope calculations dispersed throughout the text. As in any high-quality book that seeks to explain, and not merely expound, diagrams are used throughout. And most importantly, the author encourages student readers to break out on their own and investigate the various meteorological phenomena without the guidance of the book. This has the effect of encouraging independence of thought and intellectual honesty. This is strongly emphasized in the discussion on climate change, definitely the best chapter in the book in the opinion of this reviewer, wherein the author discusses the ethics of scientific investigation. There have been a few investigators that have violated the canon of ethics that the author outlines, but the state of scientific and technological knowledge at the present time is ample proof that many do not.

The chapter on climate change could in fact be used as an introduction to a more serious investigation of this topic, one that is independent of the political overtones that seem to have poisoned the atmosphere of debate on it. The author discusses climate change in terms of `heuristic models' that he admits are oversimplified, but do serve as a didactic tool to illustrate the main processes and physics. He does allude to `global climate models' but cautions that the large number of approximations involved in these models make them very tentative at best. The Greenhouse effect is discussed via the Stefan-Boltzmann law, and the resulting overestimation of the average temperature leads the author to complicating this scenario via the infrared "atmospheric window", and water-vapor, cloud, and ice-albedo feedbacks. Again, these discussions are simplified and preliminary to more in-depth discussions on climate change that interested readers can pursue. And as in any scientific investigation, they must be accompanied by strong skepticism and a willingness to confront the facts as they are.

I love this book so much! I wish they would reprint it I would buy a copy for every baby shower I went to. Precious book!

A wonderful, seasonable drama that involves all the colorful activities that small children are fascinated by, i.e. dogs, wind and leaves, outdoor messes, etc...

Shirley Hughes wrote this with a musical ear for language. It is presently my hands-down favorite for reading to my two-year old. It is writing that adults can appreciate for almost haiku-like grace, and that appreciation can be passed on to the youngest readers. The illustrations match the poems superbly, and there are four mural-like double-page spreads, one for each season, that are each pictures the child can wander about visually, and I have had long talks with my son about what he sees in these pictures. An almost ideal children's book in my opinion.

This book makes a fabulous addition to any children's library ages 3-8. My daugthers, 4 and 7, love the detailed beautiful illustations and the poems that walk through the seasons. A great combination of 'picture book' for the youngest and a great first reader for the older set.

In total agreement with other readers, I admire this book very much. I wanted recently to buy two copies, one for each granddaughter and lo, it is out of print. Furthermore, I have listed it in the books for children section of the yet-to-be published 7th edition of -Science Experiences for the Early Childhood Year. And I read it to my classes. I hope it comes out in paperback!

In a day and age of "bigger is better", Getchell makes the case (and I
must say quite well) for smaller is sweeter.

Oftentimes I will pass on a book because of it's copyright date, assuming
the info in it is now dated and there must be "newer" and better tomes
out there. Yet this one is timeless and shall remain so.

When I bought my first boat roughly 8 years ago, I came across this book in
a bookshop and figured that I could use a little edification on boating. I
couldn't put it down. What I found was a simple large-trade paperback
that gave you enough info on almost any facet of boating as relates to
small (18' or less) outboard boats. Think of it as the Swiss-Army knife
of running/fixing/touring/revamping/etc a small boat. Why aluminum v.
fiberglass? What hull designs work best where? How should I set up my
boat to do boat camping? What are the ins/outs of trailering and boat
launches? How can I tell if that used model is beat to heck? How do I
navigate? What do i do when the weather turns on me? Etc.

I recently purchased an outboard boat again. I also bought this
book, again. There aren't many books I would buy twice.

Buy it, you'll like it!

Plain, outspoken, wonderfully opinionated and varied accounts of the what, how and where of small craft. For this blue water sailor and sea kayaker, Getchell's book is a bible. Even a non motor head could understand, and enjoy the 'how ' of operating, buying, cruising, and sleeping on and with a small outboard under twenty feet. This book has now been through too many hands and is worn.....

We don't have a boat yet, but have a lake nearby so are contemplating it. This book is quite interesting as it describes different types of boats (runabout, bass boat, etc.) and what to consider before purchasing one.
Then it has lots of info on handling a boat, like how to run an inlet or docking and anchoring. It's a little scary seeing how much there is to learn about boats and motors. The info is quite practical on the proper load distribution in the boat and motor angle adjustment and how it affects performance. It covers maintaining, repairing and even towing the boat (selecting a trailer and tow vehicle).

Covers a wide variety of topics (e.g. selecting, powering, equiping, trailering, maintaining, and sailing) a small (12 to 20 foot)power boat. Excellent for boat owners or those considering buying a boat. I could not find anything as sensible and comprehensive in any of the local libraries

Out of all the boating books that I've read over the last few months, nothing comes close to matching Getchell's book.

It is replete with useful information that covers the entire gamut of outboard boating. For example, it was from this book that I learned about the advantages of a portable trailer lightbar. Furthermore, I used the guidelines he presented to make my own.

Experienced boaters may find some of the material a little too basic, but I'd wager that just about everyone will come away with a few pearls of wisdom.

Happy boating.

This is a very good reference and refresher for the novice flyer.

This was a great referance tool for most of the abbreviations used in aviation... only dissapointment was that there were no airport codes in the book!

This book has helped me win many beers on several overnights by stumping the "Most Experienced" pilots online. Keep 'em coming!! I'm looking forward to future editions.

Finally a small reference guide with thousands of aviation abbreviations.

Now I can learn and impress my "expert" friends with my new knowledge. The terms PAPI and CAVU for example, were easily deciphered by me recently when someone asked what the exact meanings were. Also, the weather section is full of abreviations that I now can understand pronto. I would recommend this book for any person in aviation.

This book is comprehensive, yet small enough to fit perfectly in your flight kit or case. The first chapter explains the meanings of thousands of initials and abbreviations. The second chapter makes weather briefings easy to read. Chapter 4-7 includes additional codes and symbol (transponder codes, military designations, slang, and memory joggers). This is a one of a kind book which every pilot should carry in their flight case!

Michael liked the part when the rainbow came out. It was colorful. Casey liked the same part. I like rainbows.

This little book is beautifully illustrated and colorful. The "rain" falls as words and each color, object and word is graphically illustrated as part of the landscape on which the rain falls. It's a lovely introduction to reading for a small child. I'd recommend it for toddlers who are beginning to recognize visuals and wanting to start to read. Very imaginative piece of work.

Michael liked the part when the rainbow came out. It was colorful. Casey liked the same part. I like rainbows.

My daughter is using this book now to learn how to read. She enjoys it very much... especially because the coloration of the text to match the images in the picture gives her clues about what the words are.

I think the book is neat from its style (using the word "rain" written on an angle to be the rain) and its vibrant use of colour.

This easy to read book has predictable and repetitive language. It teaches colors as well as everyday objects. It is a great book for young readers!

This is a fantastic book with a lot of awesome and fun information. It's the kind of book you can open and rattle a fun fact off to a friend standing next to you. It's easy to understand and Paul does a good job explaining the basics about complex world of weather. If you're into weather or even if you're a full blown meteorologist (like myself), this is a great book to own! I know Paul personally and I can tell you that he is very intelligent and very sincere. His likable personality and knowledge comes through in this book.

I purchased Restless Skies last Christmas and kept it on my coffee table to read through, refer to and admire the photos. It was not just a coffee table book but also became a great resource for the wild and unpredictable weather we all seem to experience.

Over the course of the year family and friends who were visiting me would often pick up the book and begin reading through it more and more. I then decided that I would start giving Restless Skies as gifts to my friends and family for birthdays and other gift giving occasions

The genuine and sincere number of thank you's that I have received for giving this gift could fill a book in its own right. They not only love the information contained in it but the writing style of Paul Douglas the author and the photography ties the whole package together.

It is rare to find a great book that can double not only as a resource but have so many awesome photos in it that qualifies for the coffee table in the den or living room. Restless Skies does it for me and all the folks that we bought it for.

A great book and a great read - definitely a keeper!

This is a great book for people mildly interested in weather phenomena all the way to hard core 'weather junkies'. Paul Douglas, who is very popular in the Twin Cities, covers a wide range of weather topics, focusing on extreme weather conditions that grip our attention, like tornadoes and hurricanes, and even addresses politically sensitive issues like global warming. His style is sufficiently scientific to satisfy serious weather buffs, yet the book is an easy read. I learned a lot of details about weather phenomena that actually should help me understand the next extreme weather situation in my area. The photos are spectacular. My kids, who study weather in elementary school, really enjoy the book too. Cool photos.

It was the name, Paul Douglas, that caught my attention. I remembered seeing him many years ago on Ted Kopple's Nightline. Then, not very long ago, I watched him doing a guest stint on CBS' morning show. Friends, who I visited in Minneapolis this summer, pointed out that he is considered to be the best television meteorologist in the Twin Cities. So, based on what I knew about him I bought the book - and I was not disappointed.

On over 250 pages the author packs a wealth of information, enhanced by hundreds of excellent illustrations. There is no technical jargon in this book. This is not a textbook. Doulas has the gift of explaining complex phenomena in simple layman's language. It covers case histories from hurricanes in Florida, ice storms in the Northeast to the 1995 heat storm in Chicago.

In light of last year's four hurricanes in Florida and this year's devastation by Katrina and Rita in the South, the two chapters on hurricanes and tornadoes alone are worth the price of admission.

The attractive book is in a large format, the kind you may not want to stick on your bookhelf, but place on a coffee table.
Because many will want to look through it, and probably wind up ordering it

Restless Skies lives up to its subtitle: The Ultimate Weather Book. I got this book on impulse at the library, and now have to order copies for myself and my brother. Paul Douglas explains everything a layman would want to know about weather, including what to do in every possible situation. From rainbows and black ice to hurricanes and blizzards, all explained in delightfully easy prose. Photographs and illustrations generously pack these pages. Numerous sidebars provide interesting trivia and information to supplement the major sections. I especially appreciate the explanations of what weathermen mean by various terms...like the difference between "storm watch" and "storm warning", and the difference between "partly cloudy" and "partly sunny".This book is worth getting for the photographs alone, but if you take the time to read it (it's developed in nice coffee break-size segments), you'll discover the answers to all sorts of things you've wondered about over the years. It's really fun!My one gripe is the inclusion of the Johnstown Flood in the Top 15 U.S. Weather and Climate Disasters -- I just don't think a poorly maintained dam breaking qualifies.