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Anonymous
Posted October 10, 2005
The informational book titled ¿Global Warming A Beginner's Guide to our Changing Climate,¿ written by Fred Pearce, is a book that is original in it's style of writing while it teaches interesting facts that make the reader wonder why they never read it before. For the short amount of words this book involves, it sure does have and extraordinary amount of thought and information in them. It takes a turn where most author's do not dare to go, being creative and simple-minded, leaving the reader surprised and in need for more information. Being very resourceful and at the same time interesting, I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone who is interested in finding out about global warming and what the people around the world can do to help stop it from happening. For any book that is chosen to be read, the first thing that must be evaluated is the level of information that is given, and how accurate it really is. This book amazingly has an extended amount of interesting information, even without all of the color and graphs and pictures on the side. Some people may think that the pictures and color make up for what the text is lacking, which is simply not true in this case. Fred Pearce explains to the point of clarity on all of the ideas he presents. Pearce, even when talking about forces such as the Milankovitch ¿wobbles¿ continues on the next page with a side note that shows exactly what it is, leaving the reader with no questions (the way a real book should). This book does not miss any aspect of global warming, even to the smallest degree. Pearce makes sure to include information on the evidence of global warming, concepts on if it's natural or human made, the greenhouse effect, possibilities and effects of feedbacks (which influence the temperature on the earth), future predictions, what to expect as far as weather and climate changes when it does become more intense, and so many others. This book conquers every side of global warming, making it a wonderful book to read for informational purposed. Many books that provide information about scientific studies are less than entertaining, which is what makes Pearce's book stand out. In fact, several science-based books only appeal to certain type of audience which, in this case, include science professors, students who have to do research for a class or, occasionally, a person who is really interested in learning about that topic. This book holds a casual presence, which draws more than just those certain people. Throughout the pages you will find several pictures, side notes, and graphs that help explain what the text is trying to prove. Being creative in this way is a great idea, especially when talking for pages upon pages about statistics and scientific outlooks. This approach makes the information come alive and, keeping any reader satisfied. Basically, after you read through the first chapter, if you didn't care before about global warming, you do now. This book teaches several ideas about global warming while making the lessons fun and interesting, creating an extended audience that, otherwise, would not want anything to do with the topic. Instead of writing hundreds of pages, basically just drawing out the same information, Pearce narrows his thoughts to make his ideas short and simple, making it impossible for the reader to get side tracked, bored, or irritated. Every page talks about something new rather than continuing with the same subtopic for pages until the reader has fallen asleep. Creating this book so that it only reach the 64th page, while consisting of the same amount of information as the next book, is a way of giving the reader straight forward knowledge without all of the extra wording to make the information confusing and a waste time. This style of writing is very effective for making sure the point reaches
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Posted February 13, 2010
I've read several books on the subject and this is one of the best in my opinion. To a non-scientist the subject can be a bit overwhelming and this text is not without a comment or two that I just couldn't fully understand. But for the most part he presents a rational and complete overview of the subject and what needs to be done. Other authors I'm sure would say Houghton isn't going far enough in his recommendations for target CO2 emissions but he is trying to be realistic in what a world truly addicted to fossil fuels is likely to do and how soon.
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More About This Textbook
Overview
Editorial Reviews
From the Publisher
Sir John Houghton, in this Fourth Edition of his book: "Global Warming: The Complete Briefing”, has written what should be the last word in this magisterial presentation of the latest science based very much on the IPCC Assessments. ... The book, almost seductively, leads the reader through the essential science behind the issue of climate change. ...[it] treats the science in a balanced, understandable and rigorous manner." - John Stone, Bulletin of the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanography SocietyPraise for the 3rd Edition: "...this book definitely lives up to its title. Highly recommended." R.M. Ferguson, Eastern Connecticut State University, CHOICE
"...the best single-volume guide to the science of climate change." Times Literary Supplement
"...I highly recommend this textbook." EOS, Keith Alverson
"...a widely praised book on global warming and its consequences." The Economist
"This text combines all of the various IPCC products under one cover and adds a single well-edited delivery mechanism." Oceanography
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Meet the Author
Sir John Houghton CBE, FRS is a former Chairman of the Scientific Assessment Working Group of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Chairman of the UK's Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution, Vice President of the World Meteorological Organisation, President of the Royal Meteorological Society, and Professor of Atmospheric Physics at Oxford University. He was Chief Executive of the UK Meteorological Office from 1983 to his retirement in 1991. As well as the previous editions of this book, he is author of The Physics of Atmospheres (Cambridge University Press, in three editions), and has published numerous research papers and contributed to many influential research documents.
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