Wednesday, April 30, 2008

The Discovery of Global Warming, the book


The Discovery of Global Warming, the book, is a compact 200-page summary of what I learned from my research for this Website, woven into a single narrative. It begins as a sort of detective story, describing how a few scientists got obsessed with the mysteries of climate change. By the end it has become an epic tale where entire governments, national publics, and communities of scientists press upon one another. You can order The Discovery of Global Warming from Harvard University Press or Amazon.com (also available in translations.)

What do reviewers say about the book?
"...provides a balanced historical overview of the science of climate change, clearly earning a place as a key work for anyone interested in the topic... The story presented is easy and enjoyable to read; Weart puts a human face on the science without descending into journalistic cliché."
(1)
"...In some places the book does indeed read almost like an elaborate mystery story, with all the attendant false clues and twists of plot.... Weart's approach... gives just the kind of treatment that places the history of ideas in the context they demand."(2)
"Weart's style is fluid, his narrative is anecdotal yet informative, and his coverage is succint yet comprehensive... while The Discovery of Global Warming is written at a popular level, it is certain to become one of the few items of required reading for scholars and researchers in the field."(3)
Okay, but that's only the favorable reviews, right?
Actually, those quotes are extracted from the least favorable reviews. I'll say a few words about these reviewers' criticisms below. Other reviewers have been more favorable. USA Today says "This short, well-written book... adds a serious voice to the overheated debate about global warming and would serve as a great starting point for anyone who wants to better understand the issue."
(4) The reviewer for Nature calls The Discovery of Global Warming "a terrific book... balanced historically, beautifully written and, not least important, short and to the point."(5) Nearly all reviewers for Amazon.com give the book four or five stars out of five: "Great balanced survey of the history of climate science;" "Recommended to anyone with any interest in the issue;" "Beautifully written, clear discussion of science and history," etc. USA Today and Discovery magazine listed it as one of the top science books of the year, and Scientific American made it an "Editors Recommend" selection.(6) Other review excerpts here.
You can order The Discovery of Global Warming from
Harvard University Press or Amazon.com.

2 comments:

Teacher TJ said...

Wow, this sounds like an absolutely stellar book! What a tome! I really hope that you will get me a copy or that we could get one ordered in to have in the library. On another note, that's quite the nickname you have. You're not really lonely, are you? Actually, I find that solitude can be lovely. (;

Desert Fox89 said...

Abdul Salem;

Nicely done blog, what you finished, too bad you couldn't finish your work..

Good luck with your exams and hopefully you will learn something about turning work in on time..

THe FOx