Overview

Storms affect our lives in many remarkable and powerful ways. Gales, hurricanes, cyclones, blizzards, tornados, hail and sand and dust storms regularly demonstrate the awesome power of nature that all of us experience in some form. But what causes them? What role have they played in our history, religion and the arts? And will climate change make them even more destructive? This strikingly illustrated book takes an in-depth and unique look at the nature of storms and their impact on our lives. It shows how storms have changed the course of history, playing a decisive role in major battles and momentous revolutions from Roman times to the modern day. It describes the deadliest storms in history, such as the Bangladesh cyclone of 1970 that killed perhaps a million people, and explains how humans have tried to control storms through religion, superstition and science. Despite their potent ability to cause destruction, storms also benefit humanity.  Storm also describes the major role they have played in the arts, from Shakespeare's plays to novels such as Robinson Crusoe and famous works of art by Rembrandt, Constable, Monet, Munch and Turner. 

Full Product Details

9781780236612

Table of Contents

Reviews

"""A strikingly illustrated book that takes an in-depth look at the nature of storms and their impact on our lives. We tend to think of storms as being inherently destructive, but they can also benefit humanity in many ways--by evening out global temperatures, for example, providing rain and clearing out old trees to make way for new. This is a fascinating book from one of Britain's leading 'disaster historians.'""-- ""Methodist Recorder"" ""Beautifully illustrated, this is a lively and informative study of the power of nature, and a reminder--for all of humanity's industrial and military might--that in a straight fight between elemental weather forces and ourselves, the weather will win every time.""-- ""Eastern Daily Press"" ""Storm is not a scientific treatise but a scientific, social, and cultural overview of the natural phenomena of influential storms throughout the course of history. Withington (an award-winning journalist and a historian) divides his book into aspects of different human interactions with storms. . . . Beautifully illustrated with many color photographs and art reproductions, Storm could serve as a basic introduction to the phenomena, history, and effects of notable storms ranging from sandstorms to blizzards to hurricanes, dating as far back as 524 BC. . . . It will be of great interest to a wide variety of readers. Recommended.""-- ""Choice"""

Beautifully illustrated, this is a lively and informative study of the power of nature, and a reminder--for all of humanity's industrial and military might--that in a straight fight between elemental weather forces and ourselves, the weather will win every time. --Eastern Daily Press Storm is not a scientific treatise but a scientific, social, and cultural overview of the natural phenomena of influential storms throughout the course of history. Withington (an award-winning journalist and a historian) divides his book into aspects of different human interactions with storms. . . . Beautifully illustrated with many color photographs and art reproductions, Storm could serve as a basic introduction to the phenomena, history, and effects of notable storms ranging from sandstorms to blizzards to hurricanes, dating as far back as 524 BC. . . . It will be of great interest to a wide variety of readers. Recommended. --Choice

Author Information

John Withington is an award-winning television journalist, based in London. His books include Assassins’ Deeds (2020) and Secrets of the Centenarians (2017), both published by Reaktion Books.

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