The Bookshelf: May 20, 2015

Trib+Water is joining with respected books authority Kirkus Reviews to bring you select reviews of books of note in the field of water studies. For more book reviews and recommendations, visit Kirkus.com.

THE WEATHER EXPERIMENT: The Pioneers Who Sought to See the Future

by Peter Moore

In 1800, no one had a clue about what controlled “the heavens,” which made the unlikely science of meteorology one of the most remarkable accomplishments of the 19th century.

At the turn of the century, the unpredictability of weather was often devastating … This sets the scene for the arrival of an eclectic group of intrepid observers committed to decoding the weather … This diverse group shared a naturalist bent, and they included adventurers, sailors, engineers, chemists, inventors, and artists. The author argues that perhaps the most notable figure was Robert FitzRoy, who famously captained Darwin’s Beagle. An enigmatic and complex man, he went on to forge the analytical and social foundations of meteorology. By the 1860s, a vocabulary that categorized weather patterns had begun to codify, and the first storm warnings and weather forecasts were introduced … Detailed and insightful, this book is as relevant as ever in this era of rapid climate change.

For full review, visit kirkus.com.