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The Secret World of Weather: How to Read Signs in Every Cloud, Breeze, Hill, Street, Plant, Animal, and Dewdrop
In The Tristan Gooley Weather Book, bestselling author Tristan Gooley turns his gaze up to the sky, bringing his signature brand of close observation and eye-opening deduction to the fascinating world of weather. Every cloud, every change in temperature, every raindrop, every sunbeam, every breeze reveals something about our weather—if you know what to look for. Before you know it, you’ll be able to forecast impending storms, sunny days, and everything in between, all without needing to consult your smartphone.
But The Tristan Gooley Weather Book goes far beyond mere weather prediction, changing the very way we think about weather itself. Weather is not something that blankets an area; rather, it is something that changes constantly as you walk through woods or turn down a street. The weather is never identical on two sides of a tree—or even beneath it. Take, for example, Gooley’s remarkable discovery that breezes accelerate beneath a tree. To Gooley, this is “weather,” a tiny microclimate that explains why people sit beneath a tree to cool down—not only for the shade but, subconsciously, for cooler breeze. And so Gooley shows us not only what the weather will be like five days from now, but also what to expect about the weather around every corner.
By carefully observing the subtle interplay of wind, cloud, fog, temperature, rain and many other phenomena, we not only form a deeper understanding of weather patterns, but we also unlock secrets about our environment. Weather forms our landscape, and landscape forms our weather. Everything we see in the sky reflects where we are. When we learn to read weather’s signs, Gooley shows us, the weather becomes our map, revealing to us how it has made our towns, cities, woods, and hills what they are. You’ll never see your surroundings the same way again.
But The Tristan Gooley Weather Book goes far beyond mere weather prediction, changing the very way we think about weather itself. Weather is not something that blankets an area; rather, it is something that changes constantly as you walk through woods or turn down a street. The weather is never identical on two sides of a tree—or even beneath it. Take, for example, Gooley’s remarkable discovery that breezes accelerate beneath a tree. To Gooley, this is “weather,” a tiny microclimate that explains why people sit beneath a tree to cool down—not only for the shade but, subconsciously, for cooler breeze. And so Gooley shows us not only what the weather will be like five days from now, but also what to expect about the weather around every corner.
By carefully observing the subtle interplay of wind, cloud, fog, temperature, rain and many other phenomena, we not only form a deeper understanding of weather patterns, but we also unlock secrets about our environment. Weather forms our landscape, and landscape forms our weather. Everything we see in the sky reflects where we are. When we learn to read weather’s signs, Gooley shows us, the weather becomes our map, revealing to us how it has made our towns, cities, woods, and hills what they are. You’ll never see your surroundings the same way again.
374 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
May 13, 2021
I love the topic, love the idea, even love the cover of this book. I didn't really love reading it, though, which came as a surprise. It's very text heavy and science heavy (usually a good thing for me) and I found myself really wishing there were more illustrations. Even the section on clouds contains almost no images, which seemed like such a missed opportunity. There are a lot of anecdotes about the author's travels and what clues told him what about the weather. In the end, while it's still a topic I love, I didn't really enjoy this one. I seem to be in the minority in terms of finding it dull. It may have just been the wrong book for me at this particularly time, and it's still packed with information.
I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for review.
I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for review.
January 15, 2024
Today's weather forecast: confusion
In this book, Tristan Gooley showcases an impressive understanding of weather signs which he has no problems letting you know. This might be really interesting for wheather enthousiasts, but for me it fell short of my expectations. Yes, there are a few valuable snippets of information, but it is buried under a lot of awful and irrelevant meandering and nostalgic storytelling and lacking clear illustrations. If you, like me, are hoping to pick up an educational read on decoding the various wheather signs you might get dissapointed.
In this book, Tristan Gooley showcases an impressive understanding of weather signs which he has no problems letting you know. This might be really interesting for wheather enthousiasts, but for me it fell short of my expectations. Yes, there are a few valuable snippets of information, but it is buried under a lot of awful and irrelevant meandering and nostalgic storytelling and lacking clear illustrations. If you, like me, are hoping to pick up an educational read on decoding the various wheather signs you might get dissapointed.
May 23, 2021
I love Tristan Gooley’s books. I feel like I am garnering secrets of the natural world from a pal with tidbits to share. A few of my favorites are spiders that find their way to ships at sea by using thermals and web parachutes under ideal conditions. Another is the author’s fascination with the wind currents in New York City, near where I live. This book is a lovely and enticing walk with a friend who has captivating stories to share all the while teaching us how to stay close and read the signs of the weather around us.
March 30, 2021
A couple of weeks ago, I was reading an article discussing the numerous types of human intelligence. While I firmly believe that the traditional notion of intelligence is sorely inadequate, the social scientist in me is always skeptical when social scientists try to pack up human experience neatly into boxes [because, often times, human experience is anything but neat -- thus resulting in categories that aren’t mutually exclusive, are overly partitioned, or are insufficiently partitioned.] So, I don’t know whether I believe that the current scheme, which suggests there are eight types of intelligence, is a good one or not. [Getting to the point here, I promise.] For instance, I’m not sure whether “naturalist intelligence” [one of the eight categories] is really a different kind of intelligence, or just a different field of application. What I do know, is that – either way – it is worth trying to improve one’s understanding of nature, and – also -- this book will help you build these faculties.
Tristan Gooley is the Sherlock Holmes of the natural world, taking note of often subtle cues to better understand the overall picture of what’s going on in nature. This particular book examines what we can determine about weather using the variety of clues offered by the natural world – ranging from obvious weather signs like clouds to more obscure indicators such as animal behavior.
The book consists of twenty-two chapters. Many of the chapters are focused on weather phenomena like clouds, winds, fog, precipitation, dew, etc. Some chapters are about natural elements that provide indicators about what might be expected, e.g. the shape of mountains as they influence wind patters, the differential heating effects of different surfaces of the planet. And some chapters discuss specific ecosystems and their recurrent weather, e.g. forests or cities.
The book contains many graphics, mostly drawings and diagrams used to visually depict ideas that are not readily grasped through text descriptions. The book also contains notes, a bibliography, and suggested further readings.
I’d highly recommend this book for anyone who spends time outdoors or who wants to learn more about doing so. Gooley uses stories, analogies, and interesting facts skillfully throughout the book, building a work that will teach one a great deal in a fun and interesting way.
Tristan Gooley is the Sherlock Holmes of the natural world, taking note of often subtle cues to better understand the overall picture of what’s going on in nature. This particular book examines what we can determine about weather using the variety of clues offered by the natural world – ranging from obvious weather signs like clouds to more obscure indicators such as animal behavior.
The book consists of twenty-two chapters. Many of the chapters are focused on weather phenomena like clouds, winds, fog, precipitation, dew, etc. Some chapters are about natural elements that provide indicators about what might be expected, e.g. the shape of mountains as they influence wind patters, the differential heating effects of different surfaces of the planet. And some chapters discuss specific ecosystems and their recurrent weather, e.g. forests or cities.
The book contains many graphics, mostly drawings and diagrams used to visually depict ideas that are not readily grasped through text descriptions. The book also contains notes, a bibliography, and suggested further readings.
I’d highly recommend this book for anyone who spends time outdoors or who wants to learn more about doing so. Gooley uses stories, analogies, and interesting facts skillfully throughout the book, building a work that will teach one a great deal in a fun and interesting way.
March 19, 2021
What a fabulous, fabulous book! Written by a sailor and pilot in a conversational tone, the information and knowledge is mind blowing, written with wit and helpful illustrations. No exaggerating...this book is life changing to people like me with a deep interest in weather. My dad was a weather man who phoned in precipitation and temperatures to the local weather radio station and enjoyed weather watching. As a master gardener who gardens and weather watches in the warm Mediterranean and frigid Saskatchewan, this book is eye opening.
From the origin of the fascinating word "forecast" and clouds to microclimates and sun pockets to dew and forensic meteorology, I learned a LOT. So many things stand out in my mind but it would take many pages to describe them so will list a few...birds flying get bigger as the day grows older, humid blankets, virga, contrails, gap winds, wind bulge and rare eyebrow clouds. In my home in Croatia on cold clear days we can see the Alps and now I know why! Our Bora is mentioned, too. So are gardening zones which are important (in Saskatchewan it is a measly 2a but thankfully in Croatia a lovely 9). I'm also a nature nut and forager so was thrilled to read about the role of animals, fungi and trees (huge impact). Can't wait to mindfully stand beneath various tree species during rain. The Seven Golden Patterns are so useful. I found myself making copious notes and looking at clouds for practice. So many aha! moments. So many cloud/storm photographs to scrutinize, this time with knowledge!
Anyone interested in weather (who isn't?) ought to read this brilliant book. I could not possibly recommend it enough.
My sincere thank you to The Experiment and NetGalley for the privilege of reading the early eARC of this revolutionary, thoughtfully-written book. I will be buying the hard copy when it comes out!
From the origin of the fascinating word "forecast" and clouds to microclimates and sun pockets to dew and forensic meteorology, I learned a LOT. So many things stand out in my mind but it would take many pages to describe them so will list a few...birds flying get bigger as the day grows older, humid blankets, virga, contrails, gap winds, wind bulge and rare eyebrow clouds. In my home in Croatia on cold clear days we can see the Alps and now I know why! Our Bora is mentioned, too. So are gardening zones which are important (in Saskatchewan it is a measly 2a but thankfully in Croatia a lovely 9). I'm also a nature nut and forager so was thrilled to read about the role of animals, fungi and trees (huge impact). Can't wait to mindfully stand beneath various tree species during rain. The Seven Golden Patterns are so useful. I found myself making copious notes and looking at clouds for practice. So many aha! moments. So many cloud/storm photographs to scrutinize, this time with knowledge!
Anyone interested in weather (who isn't?) ought to read this brilliant book. I could not possibly recommend it enough.
My sincere thank you to The Experiment and NetGalley for the privilege of reading the early eARC of this revolutionary, thoughtfully-written book. I will be buying the hard copy when it comes out!
March 23, 2021
The Secret World of Weather is a wonderful explanation of not only the weather as a larger concept, but of what really makes up the specific world we live in. From microclimates to sun pockets to clouds and more, this book was eye-opening in terms of what I see every day and never took notice of before. I felt like I was stepping into a whole new world without going anywhere, and gained a much deeper appreciation of how small changes and indications impact how I and the spaces I occupy interact moment to moment. Many of the concepts that Tristan Gooley explores in this book are ones that know without really knowing. For example, I find a warmer sun pocket to sit in when it is chilly outdoors, or sit under a tree where there is not only shade, but also more breeze. These are things I do unconsciously, but now I know that there was indeed a more solid reason for it. Tristan Gooley writes in a way that is extremely accessible and clear. I never found myself overwhelmed with scientific terminology or concepts. This is a great book for a casual nature and weather fan who wants something just a little more interesting to explore. I am looking forward to taking this book with me as I walk around and explore my own little corner of the world each day.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 9, 2021
This book is incredibly fun. Tristan does a good job making statements outside the jargon filled world of academia and instead talks about weather in a way that is familiar to all of us.
June 2, 2021
IT is interesting how we take so many things for granted. One of those things is the weather where we wake up in the morning and look outside, for signs of what the day is shaping up to be like. But there are many other methods of figuring what the day may be like, and it all centers around significant signs that are a result of many aspects of the world around us.
In this fascinating book THE SECRET WORLD OF WEATHER, we are treated to weather as we have never seen it before. Author Tristan Gooley truly knows his subject inside and out. He is a navigator who has been part of expeditions on five continents. He certainly is a weather detective in every sense of the word, using even the most miniscule of clues to get answers about weather.
Of course forecasting the weather is nothing new. He tells us in the book of Robert Fitzroy who was a nineteenth century vice-admiral in the Royal Navy. He was a weather pioneer who coined the term “forecast.” But he was hated every time he made an incorrect forecast, raising the ire of many. He was so upset and depressed about this that he took his life in 1865.
But the art of forecasting has been a major part of our lives. Throughout the book, Gooley tell us of so many different signs from the heavens literally, especially with clouds where we can tell weather from the height, thickness and position of the clouds. The shape of the cloud gives an indication of the weather not far off. He mentions in detail how to accurately figure out the weather through more than clouds.
Trees, breezes, plants, animals, fog, and the like, are indicators of weather. But there are misconceptions as well including the commonly held belief that if cows are lying down, it will rain. This is more a an old wives’ tale according to the author. Birds are better indicators of weather such as if a bird is facing one way, that is a sign which direction the wind is coming from. Even the twinkling of stars will foretell certain types of weather.
This is a science lesson and more in a book for people of all ages. Pick up this book and learn a lot, and then you can forecast the weather better than some professionals.
In this fascinating book THE SECRET WORLD OF WEATHER, we are treated to weather as we have never seen it before. Author Tristan Gooley truly knows his subject inside and out. He is a navigator who has been part of expeditions on five continents. He certainly is a weather detective in every sense of the word, using even the most miniscule of clues to get answers about weather.
Of course forecasting the weather is nothing new. He tells us in the book of Robert Fitzroy who was a nineteenth century vice-admiral in the Royal Navy. He was a weather pioneer who coined the term “forecast.” But he was hated every time he made an incorrect forecast, raising the ire of many. He was so upset and depressed about this that he took his life in 1865.
But the art of forecasting has been a major part of our lives. Throughout the book, Gooley tell us of so many different signs from the heavens literally, especially with clouds where we can tell weather from the height, thickness and position of the clouds. The shape of the cloud gives an indication of the weather not far off. He mentions in detail how to accurately figure out the weather through more than clouds.
Trees, breezes, plants, animals, fog, and the like, are indicators of weather. But there are misconceptions as well including the commonly held belief that if cows are lying down, it will rain. This is more a an old wives’ tale according to the author. Birds are better indicators of weather such as if a bird is facing one way, that is a sign which direction the wind is coming from. Even the twinkling of stars will foretell certain types of weather.
This is a science lesson and more in a book for people of all ages. Pick up this book and learn a lot, and then you can forecast the weather better than some professionals.
May 18, 2021
There is a much used quote many of us only know the first part of:
"There is nothing new under the sun and few who take the time to see any of it."
I have always been interested in weather; the science, the unpredictability, and why the weather is often different on one side than the other--of a long north-south running street near my home. In school, I only learned tantalizing tidbits. I wanted more, but found nothing.
I'm delighted to announce that this book explains EVERYTHING you want to know, and amazing things you never thought to wonder about weather.
Local weather--microclimate--is what we live with every day. It's what we actually care about in terms of daily life, travel, and comfort.
The big maps on tv news with sweeping arrows can provide general ideas, but if you want to understand why, or if you want to recognize the clues and know how to predict weather for your backyard barbecue (and every other event), this book will teach you!
The conversational style, and frequent personal experiences of the author, make reading Secret World like a chat with a fascinating guest, or the kind of lecture you attend where everything fades to the background and you don't notice time passing. It is an absolute delight to read.
Tips and lessons learned come from visits all around the globe, and the writing is clear and concise.
I will be among the first to own a copy of this book. I will read and re-read it until I can do as the author does.
I highly recommend it to every person who is curious about a thing we truly share equally: wet or dry, bright or dark, hot or cold, "What will the weather be tomorrow?"
Thank you, Netgalley and the publishers for the pleasure of previewing this book!
5/5 Stars!
"There is nothing new under the sun and few who take the time to see any of it."
I have always been interested in weather; the science, the unpredictability, and why the weather is often different on one side than the other--of a long north-south running street near my home. In school, I only learned tantalizing tidbits. I wanted more, but found nothing.
I'm delighted to announce that this book explains EVERYTHING you want to know, and amazing things you never thought to wonder about weather.
Local weather--microclimate--is what we live with every day. It's what we actually care about in terms of daily life, travel, and comfort.
The big maps on tv news with sweeping arrows can provide general ideas, but if you want to understand why, or if you want to recognize the clues and know how to predict weather for your backyard barbecue (and every other event), this book will teach you!
The conversational style, and frequent personal experiences of the author, make reading Secret World like a chat with a fascinating guest, or the kind of lecture you attend where everything fades to the background and you don't notice time passing. It is an absolute delight to read.
Tips and lessons learned come from visits all around the globe, and the writing is clear and concise.
I will be among the first to own a copy of this book. I will read and re-read it until I can do as the author does.
I highly recommend it to every person who is curious about a thing we truly share equally: wet or dry, bright or dark, hot or cold, "What will the weather be tomorrow?"
Thank you, Netgalley and the publishers for the pleasure of previewing this book!
5/5 Stars!
April 21, 2021
I was pleased to be given the opportunity to read this ARC. My husband and I are amateur weather watchers and enjoy learning more whenever given the chance. We both read this book so the review is a combination of our thoughts.
The book was written in an easy to understand method. The science of the facts could have easily gone over our heads but it was written at a level that anyone could understand. Scientific words were used in a way so that you could learn what they meant in plain english. Lots of illustrations were provided so the explanations were easier to visualize. World weather examples were referred to making the book relatable to a wider audience. The author gives anecdotes that are easy to interpret and put into perspective.
The chapters were divided well so you could read a little here and there and digest what you read before moving on to another chapter. This makes it easy to use as a field guide. It is perfect for putting on your shelf (or carry with you in e-form) and open it up when you see weather that you would like to further investigate. We are able to see our current weather and understand it based on what we read.
We reviewed the book as an ebook but we plan to get a hard copy for our home as well.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for giving us the opportunity to read and review this terrific book!
The book was written in an easy to understand method. The science of the facts could have easily gone over our heads but it was written at a level that anyone could understand. Scientific words were used in a way so that you could learn what they meant in plain english. Lots of illustrations were provided so the explanations were easier to visualize. World weather examples were referred to making the book relatable to a wider audience. The author gives anecdotes that are easy to interpret and put into perspective.
The chapters were divided well so you could read a little here and there and digest what you read before moving on to another chapter. This makes it easy to use as a field guide. It is perfect for putting on your shelf (or carry with you in e-form) and open it up when you see weather that you would like to further investigate. We are able to see our current weather and understand it based on what we read.
We reviewed the book as an ebook but we plan to get a hard copy for our home as well.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for giving us the opportunity to read and review this terrific book!
May 20, 2021
You might THINK you know a lot about the weather (and you might) but I suspect Gooley knows more than the vast majority of us. He's written an informative and accessible book about all sorts of phenomena, some of which I was familiar with and other of which were new to me. He's made the science accessible, which I really appreciated. If it gets a bit much, put the book down and come back to it later- treat this like a collection and you will be rewarded. Thanks to Edelweiss for the great reference read. My advice is to buy it in hard copy to make it easier to flip back and forth to the illustrations.
June 23, 2021
OMG! Weather fans (like me) will love this new book all about weather – from clouds to dew, wind to waves, itty bitty micro-climate patches to huge macro-climate disasters – it’s all here, in detail. (I especially enjoyed the bit about “rain ghosts.”) Anyway, fans should definitely get this. And by the way, if you’re looking for a new, interesting hobby that you can do from home or while out-and-about, becoming a weather fan should be at the top of your list. You’ll thank me later, especially as weather patterns grow to become one of the biggest topics at the dinner table.
I met this book at Auntie's Bookstore in Spokane, WA
I met this book at Auntie's Bookstore in Spokane, WA
August 21, 2021
Gooley tries to make it easy. I will never look at clouds the same, or feel the breeze without thinking about the science he explained. This book makes me respect earth scientists and weather scientists very much. A good read, although it did get a bit text-bookish here and there(i don't know how anyone could have not done that), Gooley gives many everyday and interesting examples. Some great info. in this book. Gooley is a very intelligent person to understand all of the science as expertly as he understands it. This is going to be a good reference book as well.
January 20, 2022
This book was excellent. I’ve always had a deep love of weather and nature in general. This isn’t one to rush through. Savor each section, put something into practice, come back to it as necessary.
June 13, 2024
Massively laden down under the weight of excess personal anecdotes. At least a third of the sentences in this book could be removed and you'd be left with a cheaper-to-buy, cheaper-to-produce, quicker, and easier reading book. There is no doubt, however, that the author is immensely knowledgeable about the subject.
November 19, 2022
I love having a greater understanding of the world. But, more importantly, I love learning skills that further convince my children that I have magical abilities. I'm hoping that by continuing this narrative I will be so respectively feared as the witch they think I am that they will dare not cross me when they become teenagers. I feel I am well on my way as I accurately predicted a minor snowfall that was not forecasted. I heard them say, "How did she do that??" It was a truly great moment.
April 13, 2021
This is a fascinating book. I check the weather forecasts frequently but the nearest weather service is over sixty miles away. I live in the rain shadow of mountains and at the east end of a strait bounded by mountains on the north and south. My weather is frequently very different than that forecasted for the general area.
This book helped me understand microclimates and the weather produced in small areas. I learned how weather condition differ because of land characteristics. I now know why it is often raining at my cousin's house but not mine when we are only a few miles apart. I have learned how to listen to the wind, noticing the changes in sound as it changes direction and intensity. I understand now why there is frost on the shed roof when my outside thermometer registers an above freezing temperature. I know what the red and green on apples mean. I know why fir trees are better to be under during a rainstorm than broad leaf trees.
My favorite section was on rain. I do live in the Pacific Northwest and we get our fair share of rain. I had no idea rain had different tastes and smells. I learned about the variety in the size of raindrops and the speed at which they fall. Now I listen to the rain, noting its various sounds.
This book contains a wealth of information for readers who want to know more about their weather and what causes it. Gooley has a fun writing style, frequently adding personal stories to illustrate his weather revelations. I never realized how much I missed and will now be looking closer, paying better attention to weather indicators on the ground and in the air.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
This book helped me understand microclimates and the weather produced in small areas. I learned how weather condition differ because of land characteristics. I now know why it is often raining at my cousin's house but not mine when we are only a few miles apart. I have learned how to listen to the wind, noticing the changes in sound as it changes direction and intensity. I understand now why there is frost on the shed roof when my outside thermometer registers an above freezing temperature. I know what the red and green on apples mean. I know why fir trees are better to be under during a rainstorm than broad leaf trees.
My favorite section was on rain. I do live in the Pacific Northwest and we get our fair share of rain. I had no idea rain had different tastes and smells. I learned about the variety in the size of raindrops and the speed at which they fall. Now I listen to the rain, noting its various sounds.
This book contains a wealth of information for readers who want to know more about their weather and what causes it. Gooley has a fun writing style, frequently adding personal stories to illustrate his weather revelations. I never realized how much I missed and will now be looking closer, paying better attention to weather indicators on the ground and in the air.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
August 19, 2022
I'm finally admitting to myself that I'm not going to finish this book, after getting through six chapters. Gooley's writing style and tone just really put me off. Half of what I've read are his stories about how cleverly he recognized upcoming weather before his companions ("Two people mentioned the weather forecast, but nobody commented on the weather. I silently marveled that the sky was not a topic of conversation for our first hour together.") Listening to his constant bragging about things he notices should theoretically feel like examples of what he is explaining, but just feel like him patting himself on the back constantly for how observant and smart he is.
There is a lot of information to sort through here, with minimal pictures. This is a book that should just be loaded up with illustrations and photographs to show what he is talking about, and there are a few, but the photographs are bundled together with no references to show where he talked about what they show, and no indication in the text that if you look at Plate X you can see this type of cloud, or whatever. In six chapters, there were eight drawings... just not enough for a visual person like myself.
I especially had to roll my eyes when he used the story of Gideon's fleece, from the Bible, to illustrate his point about dew. In the story, Gideon asks God for a sign and says that he will place a fleece on the threshing floor, and if there is only dew on the fleece and the ground is dry, he will know that God has confirmed to him what he is supposed to do. Gooley says, "Was he asking for a sign, or did he know his dew and therefore that it was predictable?" And then goes on to explain why it makes scientific sense that the fleece would be wet but not the ground, all in a very self-congratulatory tone for having scientifically explained a miracle from the Bible... and all while ignoring that Gideon asked for a SECOND sign from God wherein the fleece would be dry and the ground would be wet, and this also happened... but apparently that part of the story isn't as interesting to Gooley.
The whole book just as that attitude, that Gooley has unlocked mysteries that make him so special. I really am interested in this topic and would love to learn more about reading the signs for immediate upcoming weather, understand more about what the clouds and wind are telling me, etc., but I'm just not going to listen to Gooley humble-brag any more.
There is a lot of information to sort through here, with minimal pictures. This is a book that should just be loaded up with illustrations and photographs to show what he is talking about, and there are a few, but the photographs are bundled together with no references to show where he talked about what they show, and no indication in the text that if you look at Plate X you can see this type of cloud, or whatever. In six chapters, there were eight drawings... just not enough for a visual person like myself.
I especially had to roll my eyes when he used the story of Gideon's fleece, from the Bible, to illustrate his point about dew. In the story, Gideon asks God for a sign and says that he will place a fleece on the threshing floor, and if there is only dew on the fleece and the ground is dry, he will know that God has confirmed to him what he is supposed to do. Gooley says, "Was he asking for a sign, or did he know his dew and therefore that it was predictable?" And then goes on to explain why it makes scientific sense that the fleece would be wet but not the ground, all in a very self-congratulatory tone for having scientifically explained a miracle from the Bible... and all while ignoring that Gideon asked for a SECOND sign from God wherein the fleece would be dry and the ground would be wet, and this also happened... but apparently that part of the story isn't as interesting to Gooley.
The whole book just as that attitude, that Gooley has unlocked mysteries that make him so special. I really am interested in this topic and would love to learn more about reading the signs for immediate upcoming weather, understand more about what the clouds and wind are telling me, etc., but I'm just not going to listen to Gooley humble-brag any more.
August 5, 2021
It was a good book, but:
The author did his best to make the elements of meteorology simple enough to be understood my lay-people, like me, but it still fell short. This is not the author's fault, as having read the book, I have come to appreciate two things:
1. There's a reason why people spend decades trying to understand the patterns in weather systems
2. It's not as easy as gazing out of the window and figuring out what the forecast would be like.
It's a fun read and even informative even if most of it just glazed over my head.
At least there's one thing I can say for now for those who want to read the book: after reading this, you won't be so quick to chastise the meteorologists when they get their predictions off-mark by a few factors.
3 stars for the book; -1 for my feeling that it could still have been a bit more reader-friendly.
The author did his best to make the elements of meteorology simple enough to be understood my lay-people, like me, but it still fell short. This is not the author's fault, as having read the book, I have come to appreciate two things:
1. There's a reason why people spend decades trying to understand the patterns in weather systems
2. It's not as easy as gazing out of the window and figuring out what the forecast would be like.
It's a fun read and even informative even if most of it just glazed over my head.
At least there's one thing I can say for now for those who want to read the book: after reading this, you won't be so quick to chastise the meteorologists when they get their predictions off-mark by a few factors.
3 stars for the book; -1 for my feeling that it could still have been a bit more reader-friendly.
September 18, 2021
There's a really good book on reading the weather somewhere between these covers. Trouble is it's buried under an awful lot of irrelevant meandering and nostalgic story telling.
Some of the earlier chapters were useful, but the whole thing lost coherence with every chapter.
One day I'll find the no-nonsense , practical, illustrated book on weather changes that I'm looking for. But this wasn't it.
Some of the earlier chapters were useful, but the whole thing lost coherence with every chapter.
One day I'll find the no-nonsense , practical, illustrated book on weather changes that I'm looking for. But this wasn't it.
June 22, 2021
So disappointing...no pictures.
June 24, 2021
I continue to think about this book almost daily, though I read it weeks ago.
May 2, 2023
This book is definitely written for a certain type of person, and I am very much that type. I already have a reputation among those who know me for being able to talk endlessly about the weather, and this book has equipped me with so much more information than I know what to do with. I have been trying out the things I've learned since the moment I picked the book up, and I'm ecstatic to report that it has already saved me from postponing a walk to the shop, and from getting a complete soaking. (In the first instance I was able to tell that despite how overcast the sky was, the rain was almost certainly going to hold off, and in the second instance I advised that a shower we were caught in would be short-lived and we should wait it out under a shop canopy rather than make a run for it. I now suspect my friends may believe me capable of psychic premonition, though whether or not they agree with my opinion that the truth is much, much cooler remains to be seen.)
I have always loved paying attention to the small details, and certainly you don't need an intricate knowledge to appreciate such things. I will say that understanding makes it all the better, though. This book was absolutely full of the things I was hoping for, and only enhances my love of the natural world -- there is so much happening, all the time, and it's exciting and humbling to catch a glimpse of it, a moment of recognition in the language being spoken. There is so much information packed into this book that I cannot possibly remember it all, but I know that I'm going to be using it time and time again as a reference, until I have memorised absolutely everything in it. It really does change the way you look at the world -- I always enjoyed taking a moment to check out the sky each morning, but now I find myself aware of so many other things I had been completely ignorant of before. A book that allows you to see with new eyes is an incredible gift.
I think a lot of people would look at this book and think it couldn't possibly be for them, but I would recommend giving it a shot regardless. A lot of people, regrettably, view weather as a boring subject, or at least an everyday one, but I think it's an example of how things can become dull through familiarity. The weather is always there, doing its thing, and most people in the UK will joke that this thing is probably raining. It seems predictable, even if only for its unpredictability, and nobody thinks much deeper than that. This book could very well change that view. Once you're aware of what's going on, the intricate magic of it all, it's impossible to look at any kind of weather without awe. Gooley is very tongue-in-cheek about weather nerds, and it's amusing to see it acknowledged that we probably only have a limited welcome in casual dinner conversation (I know my friends have to be very cautious about timing if they ask me a weather question, or make a comment about something they have observed), but at the same time this book has done nothing but re-enforce how much I love the weather and how I'm quite happy to be potentially ejected from the dinner conversation. I'll go sit out in the garden -- I have lots more to look out for now.
I have always loved paying attention to the small details, and certainly you don't need an intricate knowledge to appreciate such things. I will say that understanding makes it all the better, though. This book was absolutely full of the things I was hoping for, and only enhances my love of the natural world -- there is so much happening, all the time, and it's exciting and humbling to catch a glimpse of it, a moment of recognition in the language being spoken. There is so much information packed into this book that I cannot possibly remember it all, but I know that I'm going to be using it time and time again as a reference, until I have memorised absolutely everything in it. It really does change the way you look at the world -- I always enjoyed taking a moment to check out the sky each morning, but now I find myself aware of so many other things I had been completely ignorant of before. A book that allows you to see with new eyes is an incredible gift.
I think a lot of people would look at this book and think it couldn't possibly be for them, but I would recommend giving it a shot regardless. A lot of people, regrettably, view weather as a boring subject, or at least an everyday one, but I think it's an example of how things can become dull through familiarity. The weather is always there, doing its thing, and most people in the UK will joke that this thing is probably raining. It seems predictable, even if only for its unpredictability, and nobody thinks much deeper than that. This book could very well change that view. Once you're aware of what's going on, the intricate magic of it all, it's impossible to look at any kind of weather without awe. Gooley is very tongue-in-cheek about weather nerds, and it's amusing to see it acknowledged that we probably only have a limited welcome in casual dinner conversation (I know my friends have to be very cautious about timing if they ask me a weather question, or make a comment about something they have observed), but at the same time this book has done nothing but re-enforce how much I love the weather and how I'm quite happy to be potentially ejected from the dinner conversation. I'll go sit out in the garden -- I have lots more to look out for now.
December 10, 2021
It's a bit dry, but honestly, how can a book about weather not be just a bit dry? I didn't dread it, which is saying a lot. I'm not a fan of science!
The boys (who read it as part of their meteorology unit) and I agree that while everything he taught us was something we had observed and therefore "knew", it also included a lot of the WHY and THEREFORE that we were missing. Which is honestly perfect for a book about reading weather- here's stuff you see everyday and what that actually means. We were able to put several of his tips into use right away.
The boys (who read it as part of their meteorology unit) and I agree that while everything he taught us was something we had observed and therefore "knew", it also included a lot of the WHY and THEREFORE that we were missing. Which is honestly perfect for a book about reading weather- here's stuff you see everyday and what that actually means. We were able to put several of his tips into use right away.
July 10, 2024
Wonderfully detailed, yet very accessible book that invites the reader to note, notice, and fit together the multitude of clues to be seen and sensed in the natural world all around them, and understand just why our weather plays out as it does.
There is too much to take in really, so a second, more contemplative reading of various chapters would be advantageous to fully embed the almost surfeit of fabulous information, and so fully appreciate the wonder of our ever-changing weather and its intimate relationships with the landscape and the flora and fauna within it.
There is too much to take in really, so a second, more contemplative reading of various chapters would be advantageous to fully embed the almost surfeit of fabulous information, and so fully appreciate the wonder of our ever-changing weather and its intimate relationships with the landscape and the flora and fauna within it.
August 3, 2023
This was like reading a book about how to knit. It's amazing that Gooley knows how to read all these weather signs but it's not possible to learn what he knows from reading. This book might inspire someone to go out and get the practical experience they would need to interpret the weather. But I found reading this fairly tedious.
December 16, 2023
Intriguing and highly informative. Who knew (I mean, other than our ancestors) you could know so much about our weather just by observing the world around us?
This is written in a mostly a very easy and accessible way, interwoven with some narrative to keep it lively. It is meandering at time, bouncing from topic to topic, but Tristan has such a wealth of knowledge to share that it’s understandable.
This is written in a mostly a very easy and accessible way, interwoven with some narrative to keep it lively. It is meandering at time, bouncing from topic to topic, but Tristan has such a wealth of knowledge to share that it’s understandable.
March 3, 2022
I feel like I need to reread this book when I can retain the information better. It's extremely science-y, so if you're looking for that, then this book is perfect for you. I also felt like quite a bit couldn't apply to me because of where I live compared to where the author lives.
May 7, 2024
Entertaining: 5/10
Transformational: 6/10
Used as home base for our homeschool unit study. I love Gooley's attention to and awe of creation! The interconnectedness of creation in ecosystems and symbiosis is striking!
Transformational: 6/10
Used as home base for our homeschool unit study. I love Gooley's attention to and awe of creation! The interconnectedness of creation in ecosystems and symbiosis is striking!
July 30, 2024
Interesting book. Some things I knew. Others I didn't. Even Others I didn't know I knew. Lol
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