By Gavin Pretor-Pinney
Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton
ISBN – 978-0-340-89590-0
OK, we have all had to study meteorology and get to practice the art of living with weather every day. The shape and color of clouds tells volumes to a pilot or air traffic controller and they will act accordingly. So, we might say, we do not need a book on clouds…
If you pick up the “Cloudspotter’s Guide” by Gavin Pretor-Pinney, you will quickly feel otherwise. Apart from being a nice reminder of all the scientific detail we thought we still remembered, the small paperback, an official publication of the Cloud Appreciation Society, is full of stories, little known or surprising facts (what about cloud pornography… from 1531??) and other bits and pieces that make it a superbly compelling read.
The mostly black and white illustrations give the little book a special charm, harking back to the appearance of old almanacs.
My recommendation: don’t leave home without it!