Rain
A Natural and Cultural History
Book - 2015 | First edition
Cynthia Barnett's "Rain "begins four billion years ago with the torrents that filled the oceans, and builds to the storms of climate change. It weaves together science--the true shape of a raindrop, the mysteries of frog and fish rains--with the human story of our ambition to control rain, from ancient rain dances to the 2,203 miles of levees that attempt to straitjacket the Mississippi River. As climate change upends rainfall patterns and unleashes increasingly severe storms and drought, Barnett shows rain to be a unifying force in a fractured world.
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Publisher:
New York : Crown Publishers, [2015]
Edition:
First edition
ISBN:
9780804137096
0804137099
9780804137119
0804137110
0804137099
9780804137119
0804137110
Branch Call Number:
551.577 B2643R 2015
Characteristics:
355 pages ; 24 cm
Opinion
From Library Staff
From Library Staff
Cynthia Barnett's "Rain "begins four billion years ago with the torrents that filled the oceans, and builds to the storms of climate change. It weaves together science--the true shape of a raindrop, the mysteries of frog and fish rains--with the human story of our ambition to control ra... Read More »
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Add a CommentI'm celebrating an appreciation for rain!
A fascinating account of the many manifestations and cultural meanings of water from the sky. There are discussions of the water cycle (of course), global warming (and how to combat it), rain deities (including the unknowing one in “So Long and Thanks for All the Fish”), the history of weather forecasting, rain in literature and music (though Barnett leaves out art and classical music – I would have at least mentioned Takemitsu’s “Garden Rain” and the thunderstorms in Beethoven’s “Pastoral” and R. Strauss’ “Alpine” symphonies), and a long chapter on the making of a particular perfume in India that supposedly captures the aroma of rain. Included in the latter discussion are definitions and discussions of “petrachor” and “geosmin”, two types of rain-smell. This is a book full of trivia and information, and it’s worth having around simply to refer to from time to time.
One of the most absolutely beautiful books that I have ever read. It was intellectually a lot for me to take in but so lyrical, vivid, and fluid. I LOVED everything about it and the hunts it took me on. Truly appreciative of such a comprehensive and beautiful gem!! So glad to have happened upon this!!
Ultimate weather "junkie's" chronicle. Also, delves into historical movements that were probably influenced by weather.