kazen's review
3.0
I come at this book from a different perspective than most, as I was lucky enough to take a meteorology class in high school and have had a long fascination with the weather. As a result the book felt uneven - boring in some parts, scarily filled with Latin in others (I kept thinking I would be tested on every sub-type of cloud, darn class), and delightful in yet others. My favorite parts were the cloud-adjacent stories like attempts to control the weather and how contrails contribute to global warming. While some books fall into the "wrong place/wrong time" category this one fell into "wrong person"... read other reviews before giving up on this book. A lot of other people truly enjoy it.
vittoria_ann's review
5.0
This is the ultimate cloud book. It is funny, informative, and perfect for constant reference. Besides the descriptions of the types of clouds, there is a lot of information on weather patterns and explanation of how you can use clouds to understand what is happening in the atmosphere. There are also lots of tidbits about clouds in history and different cultural explanations that make this so much more than just a book on cloud types. The author's passion is fervent. The art between the chapters is an added delight. I read a borrowed copy, and immediately bought a hardcover version for myself, that I plan to keep on me regularly for cloud reference and great reading.
sweekune's review
slow-paced
3.5
An informative and interesting book about the delight that is the cloud world. An easy to approach description of cloud types, how they form and some history or anecdotes about then.
The good:
- Excellent information and facts about clouds. The fact file at the beginning of each cloud type's chapter was an excellent touch.
- Stories about the history of meteorology and cloud study was great and extras bits about scientific research and real life experiences added to the book well.
- The little images and diagrams added to and aided explanations well.
What could have been better:
- This book is slow and relaxed. Unfortunately it was occasionally so slow and relaxed that I became bored and put the book down for weeks at a time.
- It would have been nice to have colour images beyond the small glossy section in the middle of the book.
The good:
- Excellent information and facts about clouds. The fact file at the beginning of each cloud type's chapter was an excellent touch.
- Stories about the history of meteorology and cloud study was great and extras bits about scientific research and real life experiences added to the book well.
- The little images and diagrams added to and aided explanations well.
What could have been better:
- This book is slow and relaxed. Unfortunately it was occasionally so slow and relaxed that I became bored and put the book down for weeks at a time.
- It would have been nice to have colour images beyond the small glossy section in the middle of the book.