Clouds - by Edward Graham (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

A one-of-a-kind illustrated guide to clouds, cloud formations, and the artists who painted them

The mystery of clouds has captivated scientists and artists alike. This unique book shows you how to use the meteorological techniques of nephology to identify these elusive and transmutable shapes. It curates, classifies, and measures every species--including those recently discovered--considering the height, size, texture, arrangement, modifications, and movement of their many shifting forms. Clouds blends a lively and engaging narrative by one of today's leading meteorologists with an essay on historic cloud art, and includes a wealth of breathtaking cloud studies by some of the greatest artists ever to look skyward.

• Presents a "taxonomic" approach to identification, applying the basic laws of geometry to quantify and measure clouds and cloud formations
• Showcases artists who painted clouds from a scientific viewpoint, such as John Constable, Frederic Edwin Church, J.M.W. Turner, and Caspar David Friedrich
• Tells the stories of the physicists and painters who have attempted to record the many different incarnations of clouds
• Explains the physics of clouds, from the basic constituents of Earth's atmosphere to cloud formation and dissipation, the colors and shades of clouds, the development of precipitation, and the timescale evolution of clouds
• Discusses the classification and naming of clouds
• Serves as a user-friendly reference guide to low, midlevel, and high cloud species
• Includes charts, infographics, and a glossary of terms

Review Quotes

"A fascinating view of the history of clouds . . . . The illustrations chosen by the author are superb. They match the text so that the reader can recognise the painter's understanding of the science. This book should appeal to students and experienced Meteorologists, art historians and lay people alike."-- "Blue Wolf Reviews"

"Graham's discussion of clouds is precise but refreshingly conversational -- somewhere between a college professor (which he is) and a TV weatherman. . . . Meanwhile, insights about art history are conveyed in captions alongside the many gorgeous 19th-century images."---Ron Charles, Washington Post

"Wow, just wow! This is an absolutely stonkingly good book . . . . A fabulous fusion of art and science."---George McGavin, zoologist, entomologist and broadcaster

"It's a must-have for anyone with a serious interest in clouds!"---Ian Paulsen, Birdbooker Report

"What a field guide!"---Mark Avery

"This fascinating book not only identifies types of clouds and explains how they form and disperse, but also reminds us of the close historical connection between art and science in capturing natural phenomena."---Simon Caterson, The Sydney Morning Herald

"This truly excellent book will teach you the science of clouds in a manner accessible to anyone. You will be amazed at how easily you absorb the details and how you will almost immediately find yourself checking the sky and assigning labels to what you see."---David Gascoigne, Travels with Birds

"[A] marriage of art and science. . . . Readers passionate about the skies and the artists who have studied them will find this book captivating."-- "Kirkus Reviews"

About the Author

Edward Graham is an award-winning lecturer and atmospheric scientist and was Editor-in-Chief of Weather, the flagship journal of the Royal Meteorological Society, from 2019 to 2024. His research interests include clouds, historical meteorology, and the influence of weather on astronomy. He is presently based at the University of the Highlands and Islands in Scotland.