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

by Gavin Pretor-Pinney

Overview

Now in paperback: the runaway British bestseller that has cloudspotters everywhere looking 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? Veteran 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 surfable Morning Glory cloud are just a few of the varieties explored in this smart, witty, and eclectic tour through the skies.

Illustrated with striking photographs (including a new section in full-color) and line drawings featuring everything from classical paintings to lava lamps, The Cloudspotter's Guide will have enthusiasts, weather watchers, and the just plain curious floating on cloud nine.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781101203316
Publisher:	Penguin Publishing Group
Publication date:	06/05/2007
Sold by:	Penguin Group
Format:	eBook
Pages:	320
Sales rank:	600,630
File size:	15 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Gavin Pretor-Pinney is a renowned journalist and cofounder of The Idler magazine in England. A former science nerd and a graduate of Oxford University, he has been obsessed with clouds since childhood. His writing has appeared in The Telegraph, Evening Standard, and elsewhere. Based in London and Somerset, Gavin is the founder and chair of The Cloud Appreciation Society. Visit their website at www.cloudappreciationsociety.org.

Editorial Reviews

Starting from the ground up, Gavin Pretor-Pinney takes readers on an entertaining, ascending tour of clouds, from low-hanging cumulus to high-flying, puffy cirrostratus. Along the way, the lifelong sky watcher fills our minds with diverting information about clouds in history, mythology, pop culture, and the arts.

"Charming...spills over with strange and interesting asides."
—The Boston Globe

"This book will entice readers of every stripe."
—The Seattle Times

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

From the Publisher