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Martin Snodgrass, the only "normal" member in a family of overachievers, has the worst Valentine's Day imaginable and make his theatrical debut -- pretending to be a girl!But with a playful puppy, a great best friend, and the prettiest teacher in fourth grade, Martin is doing okay -- until Great-aunt Henrietta takes over his room and starts planning the Snodgrass family reunion.

Readers will laugh along with Martin Snodgrass as he endures the comic trials of life in the fourth grade, as well as the tribulations of being the middle child. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

WHAT A GOOG BOOK!!!!!
This was a good book that my daugther loved and could not put it down. This fuuny story has other books about this same family. Also this book Acelerated reader for school.

I enjoyed this story
In this book Martin Snodgrass and his family are off on another adventure. This time his sister Caroline has to have her tonsils taken out and so does Martin, a tornado wrecks their family reunion and more. ... Read more

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Tornadoes are among the strongest storms in the world. These rapidly rotating columns of air are incredible destructive and can be lethal when they touch the ground. Since the first tornado forecast in 1948, weather forecasters, research meteorologists, and storm chasers have been fascinated by these storms and have studied them intensively in order to gain a better understanding of how they form and to learn how to predict them. Discussing storms from as far afield as Canada, Vietnam, Russia, Australia, and even the U.K., "Tornadoes" describes with vivid illustrations the mechanics and consequences of their destruction and how humans have responded.

Also Recommended: "Volcanoes."

Discover the world's animals and the physical world in the WorldLife Library from Voyageur Press. This highly acclaimed series brings you the latest research from leading naturalists, along with stunning color photographs of your favorite animals and our fascinating natural world. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Fine First Introduction to Tornadoes
When I was six, our family visited our relatives in Illinois who lived on a farm.While there, my cousin and I wandered off to play.When the sky got black and lightning began striking, he headed off as fast as he could run.I dawdled along.By the time I got home the wind was howling, and we could see a tornado in the distance.In minutes, we were all in the storm cellar.Down there, it sounded like an express train was roaring by. When we came out, a 100-year-old oak tree lay across the top of the house, ripped out by the roots.To this day, I've never had as intense an experience as that one.I also didn't really understand what happened that day.Now, thanks to this book, I do understand the forces behind that experience.

Tornadoes is that rare book that combines dramatic, vivid photography with scientific material to explain what you are seeing.In most cases, I was able to follow what was said.Some descriptions were a little puzzling, such as what an "anvil" is which is not defined in the glossary at the end.Despite that, I can now look at thunderstorms with greater understanding, and appreciate their potential for harm through tornadoes.I was fascinated by the statistics on the harm that tornadoes routinely do in various parts of the world.

My only reservation about the book is that it seemed a little high priced for a 72-page paperback, but the quality of the images softened that reaction for me.Such excellent photographs and exhibits are expensive to acquire and reproduce.

If you would like to know a little more about tornadoes that what you hear on television, get this book!

Where else do dangerous phenomena fascinate in the same way?Only large fires probably are as appealing to the eye.What is it about these dangers that draws us to them?I know few people who love looking at earthquakes while they happen.Perhaps it is the ability to see them from what seems like a safe distance that turns them into fascinations, while an earthquake captures us in its danger while it is happening.

For Tornado-philes of all ages
The widespread fascination with tornadoes, particularly in North America, results in a high proportion of weather-topic books written on the subject for both children and adults. Few of those
really grab my attention as many are simply vehicles to publish dramatic tornado photographs and say little new about tornadoes.

"Tornadoes" by Michael Mogil is one book that grabs me from the first page. It very well illustrated with a large number of full-page-sized tornado photographs, but even more appealing are the top quality explanatory drawings. These are very attractive and yet convey much to-the-point information. The book's striking illustrations balance Mogil's well crafted text. His writing is strongly scientific yet clear enough to convey the complexities of the formation and life cycle of tornadoes and the thunderstorms which spawn them.

Mogil begins the book with a strong introduction to thunderstorms as a background for tornadic storms. In fact, the book could easily have been titled: "Thunderstorms and Tornadoes." The author then segues into the title topic through a discussion of the US National Weather Service Program for severe storm watches and warnings.

H. Michael Mogil's "Tornadoes" will be the benchmark to which I will compare future "children's books" on tornadoes and similar phenomena. It should be a part of every school or home weather
library. I also take the "and up" part of the recommended audience seriously. I wouldn't hesitate torecommend it to older audiences looking for a quick introduction to thunderstorms and tornadoes. ... Read more

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What is the coldest place on Earth? How many kinds of clouds are there? Why do rainbows form? You've got questions about weather, and Kids' Questions has answers!
... Read more

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Provides an introduction to tornadoes, including what they are, how they form, and tornado safety. ... Read more

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Twyla started out small, racing the wind in the southpasture, then roping dust devils to keep in the corral. She went on to lasso tornadoes and ride Old Stormy in the Flint Hills Rodeo.  This Kansascowgirl joins the ranks of tall tale heroes as she rides her twisters in the rodeo career of the century. Come along for the ride! Twister Twyla also includes a list of websites about rodeos, tornadoes and dust devils, as well as a bibliography of children'spicture books about each of these subjects! ... Read more

Product Description
This is an OCR edition without illustrations or index. It may have numerous typos or missing text. However, purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original rare book from GeneralBooksClub.com. You can also preview excerpts from the book there. Purchasers are also entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Original Published by: J.H. Soulé in 1888 in 115 pages; Subjects: Tornadoes; Juvenile Nonfiction / Science & Nature / Earth Sciences / Weather; Juvenile Nonfiction / Science & Nature / Disasters; Nature / Weather; Science / Earth Sciences / Meteorology & Climatology; ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Kids love this book!
My boys are into the weather. This book teaches basic facts about tornadoes and the conditions that help create one. Easy reading... 1st and 2 grade level. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

For the tornado enthusiast or general historian
This extensive study of the "significant" tornadoes of the past 300 hundred years is a a fascinating read from a weatherbug perspective but also from the historian perspective.From the the book's beginning with tornado terms defined, write ups on historic tronadoes, debris path studies, how tornadoes have been recorded thru time, so many nuggets of knowledge for even the most amatuer of weather lovers or professional in meteorology.

The main body of the book is a statistical amazament, in that Mr. Grazulis and his staff delved so deeply in this one subject in American history is astounding.Truly a great book for weather bugs and meteorology professors to have on the book shelf.

The Ultimate Tornado Encyclopedia
OK, Amazon, I'm sorry & I apologize for my obnoxiousness on my previous review for this book. I guess I did go a little over the top! This time I'll just stick with the subject of the book.

My review title says it all, folks. This IS the ultimate tornado encyclopedia; whatever you're looking for on the subject, you'll definitely find it here--and then some.

I'm thrilled to hear that Mr. Grazulis is planning to update & re-publish this book in 2008 (I hope & pray it's not just a rumor!) When he does, I'll be sure to snatch up my copy quicker than a tornado can develop!

Best Tornado Book Ever!
Hi! This is the same person who wrote the review "The Best Condensed History of Tornadoes Available." I just got it today( the full 1300+ pages of tornado stats)and have had a hard time putting it down! I had the book Significant Tornadoes 1880-1989 but this is even better. It has almost every single twister, cyclone and whirlwind that has touched down in the US. Thank you Amazon.com and midnightcowboy for the excellent shipping quality and value of service. This is the greatest tornado book available. Fortunately, maybe this book will not be rare and out of print for too many more years (it could reprint by 2008).If you love tornadoes this is your book!

Best condensed version of tornado history available!
I know folks that this isn't the Big Green Book but it is a very close second. I just received it in the mail today and am loving it... every page! This is a great reference work on tornadoes and a good substitute while waiting for the Big Book to reprint. I just can't see how anyone could pay 800.00 for the Green book version of Significant Tornadoes! That's plain outrageous! The book is scheduled to reprint sometime in 2008, I think. I own Tom Grazulis' Tornado Video Classics series, Flora's Tornadoes of the United States, many storm chasing books and videos, his Tornado: Nature's Ultimate Windstorm and now this two volume set. Tom Grazulis is one of the best authors and really does much to grab the reader's attention. Kudos to Amazon for their quick and great service. The paperback binding is a little weak for a book series of this size but this is not their fault. Any paperback binding requires great care. But I would recommend a hardback version if you can find it or when or if the Big Book reprints or not.Anyway the information in this book I would highly recommend to anyone like myself interested in weather, tornadoes or a career in meteorology.

I am a Fan of Tornadoes
This is a great book of 1400 pages worth of information. But it is not worth 850.00 for that is just a rip off. This book is good for about 150.00 though. There is a ton of information it has by state and shows all Tornadoes that had estimated winds of 113mph and above and all tornadoes that killed anyone. It also has the events written down and a discription like for Instance it would say some thing like this

Lincoln, Missouri4/17/1880 6K15INJF-5 1500yds 75m
Started 10 miles of North of Troy at 1700 and desipated 10 miles south of Troy. Homes were ripped apart and one women was killed as she could not escape the winds the Tornado went directly through the town of Troy and farm after farm and even a inn almost completely vanished from earth. That tornado was just a hypothetical Tornado but that what it gives you ... Read more

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Cable TV's Weather Channel examines the nature and origins of tornadoes, where they occur, and how to prepare for one, along with looking at particularly bad ones from the past. photo insert. ... Read more

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Perfect for reluctant readers who are curious about the destructive power of planet Earth, or who are researching a science paper. The Natural Disasters series explains how and why natural disasters occur, and how to stay safe if the reader should experience one. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Good Book for Kids Learning to Read and at a Midlevel
Tornadoes is a great book for kids learning to read and desire to read about a sophisticated topic.It keeps them engaged and reading so they can read more complex books later on.

High-interest and low level
This is a great high-interest and low-level reading book and series. The books are small with large print and about 50 pages long with lots of pictures. They aren't exhaustive for the topics covered, but they give a great deal of information by being concise when you consider the book's size. Special features are Did you know... fact insets, a map, glossary, list of other resources, and an index. After an attention-getting introduction, the chapters start off with a atory about a particular incident and then go into the content of the chapter. Difficult words are also explained in parentheses besides being in the glossary. In this book, the three chapters cover how tornadoes form and what types there are, how tornadoes move and measuring them, and studying tornadoes to be able to predict them and give warnings. The map in this book shows the worst tornadoes in US history. Elementary and middle school students will benefit from these books. Even high school students might find them a nice change of pace from the thick books they normally use for research. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Makes you want to give your own children extra big kisses
I read Dale's book as soon as I could get it. Knowing him, his wife and children, I wanted to read what I was afraid to ask even a friend like Dale - "How do you survive losing a child?" Winds of Fury is Dale'sversion of the events around a tragic tornado in which many members of hiswife's church died, including their four-year-old daughter.His story ispainful, but filled with grace and hope. In places he is brutally honest,and in other places brutally funny. After I finished (which wasn't longbecause I couldn't put it down), I was thankful to God for giving me twobeautiful children. I recall going into their rooms while they were asleepand giving them an extra kiss, painfully aware that Dale and Kelly couldnever do that for Hannah again. I was also filled with hope from readingthe book. Dale reminded me that truly nothing can separate us from the loveof God.

A touching memoir of terrible loss and gradual healing.

No one in northeast Alabama will ever forget Palm Sunday 1994. When deadly tornadoes ripped through northern Calhoun County, killing nearly two dozen people, a spring Sunday dedicated tobeginning the holiest week of the Christian year became instead a stormy day of pain and loss. And yet, as the Rev. Dale Clem's memoir "Winds of Fury, Circles of Grace" demonstrates, the terrifying storms could not blow away the faith and devotion that would testify in no uncertain terms to a love and spirit that transcends disaster and death.

As the Rev. Kelly Clem led Palm Sunday services, including a children's pageant in which their 4-year-old daughter Hannah took part, Dale Clem was hundreds of miles away, leading a youth group on a spring break service trip to Oklahoma. The first report Clem received was sketchy, a message received from a cell phone call. "There's been a tornado," he was told. "It hit your wife's church... Kelly is in the hospital, the girls are okay; you need to call home." In the time it took for him to find his wife - interminable time - fear grew. No one had news about Hannah. Finally he was able to speak to Kelly, who told him: "Hannah is dead."

It was the beginning of a long day, a long week - a long year - of tears and mourning. "Winds of Fury, Circles of Grace" chronicles that year with touching honesty, neither shying away from sorrow nor forgetting joy. Clem captures the grief of a small congregation in a small town, where relationships are strengthened both by proximity and faith. He recounts unpleasant moments, such as hurtful and hateful notes received from zealots equating Kelly's ministry and the priesthood of women to Sodom and Gomorrah. And he shares many happy memories of Hannah - "Have I ever told you that I love you?" he would ask Hannah and her younger sister Sarah, and Hannah would giggle, "Oh, Daddy, you tell me that all the time."

The spirit of Hannah Clem is ever-present, dancing through these pages as she did through her life on earth, helping her father tell his tale of loss and redemption. Clem intersperses the chronological account of that Holy Week in 1994 - a week in which the message of death and resurrection resonated among the Piedmont hills - with good basic advice on confronting and accepting grief and healing. He begins this task with a quote from T.S. Eliot: "I said to my soul, be still, and wait.../So the darkness shall be the light,/and the stillness the dancing." He speaks to everyone who has known the darkness of death - encouraging by example, unafraid to recount his moments of weakness and weeping and glad to witness to a faith in life and in Christ which ultimately led both Clems through the valleys and shadows of the first year to a place of new hope and understanding. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (25)

Author of Big Weather Responds to Charles Doswell
I don't know why it's taken me so long to get around to doing this, but here goes. I wrote Big Weather and am bemused but not surprised by the intellectually dishonest review by Charles Doswell III, who, as a university professor, should know better than to start with an attack ad hominem, the lowest form of argument--he calls me a carpet-bagger. Things don't improve from there. It's not a review. It's a psuedo-review, a personal attack posing as a review, which is just one of the reasons why it's dishonest.

I wrote Big Weather because I was curious about why, as a culture, we seem so fascinated by catastrophic weather. I wanted to know why it was that a company like The Weather Channel could exist in the first place. I was following a line of thought first developed in 1962 by Daniel Boorstin, in his book The Image: A Guide to Psuedo-Events in America, in which Boorstin warns about a great menace that was emerging then in American culture. He used that word, "menace," and the menace wasn't poverty or war or class division, or anything like that. It was, as he called it, "unreality." The problem of "unreality" in our culture. He identified three areas in culture that are not prone to advertising or political manipulation--the first was crime reporting, the second was sports, and the third was the weather. The weather has become for us a base-line measure for what's real. You can create a company like The Weather Channel, which spins the weather to a fare-the-well, but if a storm decides to wipe the Weather Channel off the earth, there's nothing anyone can do about it. It's the unreal that gives us so much trouble, that seems to be something it isn't, that seems to be spontaneous but turns out to have been orchestrated for other reasons, much like Charles Doswell's "review," for instance.

My point is this: I wrote Big Weather because I was pursuing a line of intellectual and artistic thought that meant something important to me, personally, and seemed to touch many other people as well, not just those who were drawn, like me to the center of the United States to witness large storms. I found it strange that we seemed so fixated by catastrophic weather, on the one hand, but couldn't seem to get off the dime about climate change (this was in 2004). I know weather isn't the same thing as climate, but global warming seemed to be just about the biggest big weather story of them all. I had to address it at some point and to address the campaign of mis-information about global warming that was waged so successfully by the Bush Administration. Doing that really seemed to annoy some reviewers of this book. Wow. Struck a nerve, did I? The truth, of course, came out soon after the publication of my book, that Bush administration political appointees, many with no scientific credentials, doctored or edited scientific reports, slowed down research, and created a smoke screen in the debate about global warming.The book also was and is an inquiry into how the sublime, the terrifying disorienting force of nature, in this case, attracts us, still speaks to us, from across the centuries. I was, also, interested in reporting a debased kind of sublime as well--a commodified sublime which I called "catastrophilia."Anyway, I hope you can see that my motives were good. And if it sounds too bookish and brainy, well, I filled Big Weather with enough chasing and other forms of malarkey to keep me amused, at any rate, and I hope you as well. Four years later, I'm still very, very proud of this book and, aside from a few silly mistakes that inevitably escape one's best effort to be as accurate as possible, I stand by everything that I say in it.

The field of severe storm weather is filled with wonderful and fascinating people, but it's not big enough, it seems, to allow me and Charles Doswell's ego to coexist. Now we're getting closer to the truth, I suspect. Too bad his psuedo-review is the first thing you see when you inquire into Big Weather. Try reading the actual book. I'm not saying this because it's going to make me any money. It won't. The book's long out of print. But you can still get it and read it, either in the library or through a used book store on Amazon, or elsewhere. Give it a try. There's plenty to keep you engaged, but if you're looking only for entertainment without reflection, then I'll be the first to suggest that you try another book instead.

Mark Svenvold

Big Weather, Big Disappointment
I am fortunate in that I did not actually spend money on this book.I do not know about the poetic aspects of the book, but I do know that the author treated many of the people in this book insultingly.I skipped around a bit thinking that perhaps only the beginning would be colored by condescension but remained disappointed.If you want a good book that exposes the relationships between big weather and the people who live through it read F5 by Mark Levine.If you want a good book about big weather read any book other than the one this review is about.

Poetic prose, wide ranging topics
Big Weather is a lot about weather and a little about weather, all at the same time. How come? Because Mark Svenvold can describe physical phenomena in prose approaching poetry, and the topic allows him to introduce the reader to multiple other venues.
The title attracts those of us who need to deal with weather. I fly light airplanes and taught weather as a major chapter in aviation ground school class curricula. Even so, tornadoes are a fish pilots do not swim with. We race the other way, like herring trying to fly when the whales arrive to corral them with air bubbles. So on a daily basis, pilots need to know more about, for example, the Current Icing Potential on the ADDS Web, or the convective SIGMETS, which describe the wide range of turbulence generators.
But whatever makes you open Big Weather, you will find, in the first paragraph of page one, the rich ability of a poet to describe the factual in impressionistic ways.
A few pages later, you will meet Matt Biddle, his hero.
And it keeps getting better. Want to know about Chaos?Svenvold will tell you about Lorenz, and then you can read James Gleick.
His mention ofHeisenberg might remind you that Werner was once asked if he had any questions for God. He responded "Yes, I will ask him to explain relativity and turbulence, and I think he will be able to explain relativity".
Or, when Svenvold brings up Pliny the Elder, describing a vortex, you can pick up John Mc Phee's "Control of Nature" and read how Pliny dropped dead when Vesuvius erupted under his nose.
Think tornadoes are all violence? Svenvold will connect you with their sublime elements, and with Dionysius Longinus, sublime's first champion.
Science, art, science, literature, science, psychology, geography, history, philosophy. On and on it goes.
Elmer Mc Curdy is another good yarn. Get that too.

Fascinating topic, ho-hum execution
In "Big Weather," Mark Svenvold recalls the time he spent in 2004 tagging along with veteran storm chaser Matt Biddle.The book is meant to be about storm chaser culture and associated elements, but uneven storytelling mars what would otherwise be a very cool book.

Svenvold is a poet-in-residence at Fordham University, and it shows.In some cases (such as Chapter 4: Catastrophilia), it shows a little too much.When Svenvold is talking about being on a chase, or the people who are part of and/or affected by chase culture, he's great.When he tries to get flowery, it bogs down the book.I'm sure there was a point to Chapter 4; I just wish he had gotten to it sooner, with a clear path to it.

And that's the overall problem with "Big Weather."For a topic that is, at its essence, unpredictable, crazy, and hold-your-breath heart stopping, he doesn't always convey that.I know that there's a lot of waiting associated with chasing, but Svenvold made storm chasing seem downright dreamy.I think the book would have been better if he had stuck with the journalistic, straight-to-the-point style he used when describing different chase events.

I don't agree with other reviewers that say he is anti-Christian, anti-Bush, or anti-other chasers.I think he was just trying to be objective while observing the people who not only live in Tornado Alley, but are also residents of the Bible Belt.Perhaps the book would have been less offensive if he had been more objective, but I don't think that's his style.

One place where I did think he was offensive (or at least borderline) was his constant referral to the people in the chasing industry as "geeks" or "dorks."I wasn't sure if that was an in-joke he was repeating or if he was being purposely derogatory.

I think, in a way, this was meant to be Svenvold's "expose" type book, just like recent bestsellers "The Nanny Diaries" or "The Devil Wears Prada," except, of course, he didn't try to gloss his experiences by hiding them in fiction.It might have been a more interesting read if he did.

Overall, it's worth checking it out from the library.But there are better memoirs out there that are worth savoring and keeping.

Supposed to be About WEATHER
Big Weather?WRONG!!!!This guy covers philosophy, map making,religion, his philosophical ideas to the point of nausea, old world history, pages & pages about Mary MacLane, oh yeah, and almost as an afterthought there are some pages about weather & chasing.But still laced with his philosophy.
NOT a book for anyone except maybe self styled "intellectuals" ... Read more

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(ages 7 - 9) Find out exactly what happens when forces align and our planet flexes its muscles!

Readers will learn about environmental phenomena and natural disasters through kid-friendly language and bold, colorful images. In addition to giving the basics about "extreme weather," the author also discusses how changes in the Earth's environment are affecting these powerful phenomena.

Our Powerful Planet begins by examining how climates create and affect weather, and then gives a close-up look at the science behind some of the most common phenomena (like thunderstorms), some of the most destructive phenomena (like hurricanes and floods), and some of the most rare and mysterious phenomena (like rogue waves). The book is divided into into sections by phenomena, and each chapter includes a "Meteorologist" character, which explains different types of scientists and the tools they use; "Phenomenal Facts," which give readers interesting and little-known tidbits of information; and a "Global Warming" box, which shows how changes in the Earth's environment affect each phenomena. A glossary of terms is included.

Author Tim O'Shei explains the symbiotic relationship we have with our planet: the Earth's power affects us, and we also have the power to impact the Earth. He concludes by giving examples of ways to "be a powerful person on our planet," focusing on how to reduce C02 production on a daily basis.

Customer Reviews (1)

Not what I was hoping for
My three and five year-olds love natural disasters, weather patterns, etc.So, I bought this book without having any idea if it was age-appropriate or not.It's definitely for older kids, (it's mostly text), and the material is pretty good overall, except for the propagandist "climate change" angle. As far as I'm concerned, this isn't fact-based science and doesn't belong on nearly every page of a children's science book.Global warming ought to have been presented as a theory for discussion.I'm returning this one. ... Read more

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Why why why do you ask so many questions? Well if you didn't ask you would never find out about things! Take a look inside the pages of this book and discover the answers to loads of interesting questions about the weather. You will find fantastic pictures to help explain things more, cartoons to make you giggle, and fun things to do in the color panels. ... Read more

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"This is a must-read for students and meteorologists."--David Thurlow, Host and Executive Producer of The Weather Notebook radio show

A fascinating look at extreme weather and the men and women who are risking their lives to give us a better understanding of this meteorological phenomenon. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

An exhilarating history of meteorology
Did you ever wonder why the meteorologists who appeared before General Eisenhower in 1944, were able to tell him it would be possible invade Europe on June 6th?

"Eye of the Storm" is a good anecdotal and scientific history of the people who made the successful D-Day weather forecast possible. It ultimately takes its readers to the end of the 20th century, and the technology of satellites and computers.

This author explains how the Wright Brothers and other early 20th century aviators gave meteorology a new kick-start after it had begun to languish at the borders of 19th century technology, e.g. the telegraph and lighter-than-air balloons and zeppelins.But to me, the most amazing chapters in this book deal with the inventiveness and persistence of the 18th and 19th century meteorologists. Much of the theory behind weather forecasting came from their observations.

As a trivial but fascinating example, the largest snowflake on record, a whopping 15 inches in diameter, was reported in the nineteenth century--you can see a photograph of this snowflake at the Guinness World Records site.It fell on Montana in January, 1887 and its discoverer described it as being "larger than milk pans" in the "Monthly Weather Review" magazine.

(Imagine sticking out your tongue and having one of those babies landing on it.)

More importantly, the author also describes how 19th century observers began mapping the motion, pressure changes, and cloud formations associated with weather fronts and storms.They were both organized (via publications and ultimately, telegraph lines) and fascinated by the chaotic phenomena in the skies above them.

Or was weather completely chaotic?

Modern meteorology actually began back in the eighteenth century with Benjamin Franklin and his kite, key, and lightning rod.Like today's storm-chasers, Franklin had a passion for experiencing weather first-hand, and once he rode alongside a dust-devil on a Maryland trail, describing the bottom as "'not bigger than a common barrel,' but at its top, 50 feet high, it flared out to 20 or 30 feet wide."

Daring French and British 'aerologists' went up in silk and paper balloons, measuring altitude with their barometers and also by their own physical reactions:"He knew he was at about 17,000 feet when his lips turned blue, at 19,000 feet when his hands became dark blue, and at 22,000 feet when his heart was audible."

Those 19th century meteorologists felt it was essential to get up where the weather was, and Lord Kelvin, one of the founders of thermodynamics, helped them explain some of their more puzzling discoveries, such as temperature inversions and the energy of storms.

When the Age of Aviation arrived, meteorology already had a good theoretical and observational foundation."Eye of the Storm" takes us close to the end of the twentieth century and the meteorological discoveries that have led to a greater understanding of what Jeffrey Rosenfeld calls the 'ultimate storm,' i.e. hurricanes.The final chapter returns to the 'awesome chaos' of thunderstorms and some of the new discoveries of what goes on in the atmosphere above the dark, roiling clouds where Benjamin Franklin first flew his kite and key.

This book contains just enough dense patches of meteorological theory to require another read-through before I can begin to understand some of the author's more complex explanations of weather phenomena.I did acquire a great deal of admiration for the theoreticians, 'aerologists,' and storm-chasers, who made those theories possible.

Informative but Ho-Hum
"Eye of the Storn" is not nearly as exciting as its cover or title would suggests.It is essentially a history of storm forcasting going all the way back to Ben Franklin's time.And while it is informative, it lacks the type of thilling narrative in its weather stories that one would expect.Most of the stories are taken from other books or magazine/newspaper articles.And unfortunately, the author makes at least one serious error by repeating the long standing falsehood that meteorolgist Issac Cline rode up and down the beach on horseback to warn residents of Galveston of the approaching 1900 hurricane.This is a myth, dispelled by the far superior book "Issac's Storm," that just won't die.

Overall, "Eye of the Storm" has plenty of historical information, but the reading is unlikely to have the pulse quickening effect of even a mild spring thunderstorm.

Great reading on a stormy day
What great timing! As we watch in awe pictures of the damage and destruction caused by the Spring tornadoes in Oklahoma, the "EYE of the STORM" comes along to explain the painstakingly detaileddevelpoment of scientific research of these powerful storms. In a welldocumented and entertainly written study, one can gain a betterunderstanding of the weather about us and from whence it comes. ... Read more

Product Description
Discusses the nature, causes, and dangers of tornadoes, tornadoes of the past, and ways to survive them. ... Read more