Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an audio ARC of this book!

I appreciated how much I learned from this excellent blend of memoir, history, and science. I now have a better understanding of weather, climate, the forces that are attacking climate scientists, and the bigger picture of what it all means. I loved the idea shared toward the end:

"Meteorology represents our species' longest and most concerted effort to take care of one another."

What a beautiful way of looking at it!

This was an interesting mix of memoir and history of meteorological/climate science. Dr. Shukla has been a witness and participant of many of the major developments in modern climate science. I appreciated how his personal background in India shaped his interest in the topic. He has been very focused on practical predictive applications to the science, which was very interesting to read about. The audiobook narrator, Shahjehan Khan, did a great job of telling this story and made the intricacies of the science easy to follow. I would recommend this to anyone interested in scientific history and multicultural memoirs.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for providing an eALC in return for my honest thoughts.

This is a timely read (listen) and quite intriguing. I loved the audio narrator and the author's way of making nature and non-fiction feel immersive and interesting. The memoir + science combination was very well done. It feels like a book along the same lines as Robin Wall Kimmerer's non-fiction, which the world absolutely needs more of.

I've been trying to read outside of the life sciences a bit more. With a title that includes butterflies, you might think this book is about entomology, but it is about climate science. In particular, it is about meteorology and predicting the weather.

I hadn't really given much thought to the history of weather prediction. I rather take for granted that we can predict what the weather will likely be next week though that wasn't always the case. There was a time when predicting tomorrow's weather was virtually impossible.

This book is just as much about the life of Jagadish Shukla as it is about climate science. He was born in India in the 1940s. He is from a very poor village and has led a remarkable life. He became a scientist when so many scientific breakthroughs occurred.

In addition to learning about science, I learned a lot about Indian and Indian culture. Some I was aware of through reading and some I've learned from my Indian colleagues but there was still so much I didn't know or hadn't fully comprehended. The cultural information was just as fascinating as the science.

I found the science very accessible. He didn't get into too much jargon or technical details. He had amusing stories about his school years and training.

You might be wondering why the title is A Billion Butterflies if it isn't about insects. Have you heard of the butterfly effect? It is the thought that the tiny flapping of a butterfly's wings can cause a major disturbance further down the line. Shukla sees many of the events in his life as a result of tiny flaps of butterfly wings.

I listened to the audiobook and Shahjehan Khan did an excellent job with the narration. It was easy to follow and a real joy to listen to.

There is so much about this book that will appeal to many people. Whether you are interested in history or science or other cultures, this book has it all.

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Wednesday - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2025/04/two-new-memoirs-with-science-theme.html

This was an interesting book with an important message, but I was left wondering exactly who the target audience is. I very much enjoyed the memoir aspect of the book, as I know little about the scientific community and even less about what it must be like growing up in rural India, or even returning to participate in the family customs after having lived in the US for decades. I also enjoyed learning more about climate change and what causes it, though a fair portion of the book was too technical for me, so I retained virtually none of those details--which brings me back to the question of who the perfect reader for this work is, because it seems like it would be too basic for someone well versed in meteorology or climatology. Despite the too-technical aspect, I got enough out of the book--learning a bit about a different culture, about Dr Shukla himself, his struggles between trying to make the world better for humankind while sacrificing family time, about Dr Shukla's mentors (none of which, as a layperson, I'd heard of)--that I found it a worthwhile read. Like his students, though, I wanted more information about what we can do to help, short of writing letters to our legislators.

Wow! This was incredible: the story of a boy from a small village (so small it didn't have roads!) who grew up to be a world-renowned climate scientist, driven by his desire to predict monsoons to make life in his village better.

Dr. Shukla has an inspiring story, and I learned a lot about his life, the history of weather prediction, and what it was like being in the midst of climate change controversy. He owns the mistakes he made and regrets he has, which I appreciated. This book is well-paced too, and I was engaged the whole way through.

This is an enthusiastic five stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio!

Born in rural India, Dr. Jagadish Shukla rose to prominence as a leading climate scientist. This inspiring and informative memoir is mostly about his groundbreaking work, which revolutionized weather forecasting—enabling better predictions and saving countless lives. Beautifully written, the memoir is fascinating, compelling, and a pleasure to read. I enjoyed the audiobook narration.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

✨Review - A Billion Butterflies: A Life in Climate and Chaos Theory by Dr Jagadish Shukla

Happy Memoir Monday!

This book releases April 22, and when it does everyone who is a lover of memoirs or popular science books should check it out. This is the story of Dr. Shukla, who was raised in a small village in Northern India and went on to become one of the world’s leading climate scientists.

His is a story of rags to riches, of chance meetings and hard work, of overcoming incredible odds and cultural barriers, of embracing life in all its complexities.

As someone who studied atmospheric science in university, I was fascinated by the descriptions of the climate science research. But it was the personal, cultural experiences that made this memoir something truly special.

A huge thanks to @netgalley and @macmillan.audio for an advanced audio copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

This is a fascinating memoir of Dr. Jagadish Shukula, without whom, modern weather forecasting would not be possible. His upbringing in India with The tumultuous weather in his native India had him bear witness to the destruction that is brought to bear when weather events arrive with no warning, After attending the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, he was eventually led to MIT and Princeton, His work earned him a shared Nobel Peace Prize. Most importantly he has earned debt of all inhabitants of this planet who rely on his science to grow crops, give early wanting for evacuations or, on the less extreme side, know if we need to grab our umbrella s we head out the door. An incredible man whose life should be known and shared.

My thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was a fantastic look at how we have the weather prediction systems we have today, and the journey it took for us to get them. Great listen for anyone with an interest in science!

“Climate prediction is powerful, climate prediction in developing countries saves lives”

“The best response to climate anxiety, is climate action”

At its heart, this is about Dr. Jagadesh Shukla’s work in developing accurate weather and climate predictions. It reads as half memoir and half traditional nonfiction.

I ended up dinging it 1 star because I found the exploration of Dr. Shukla’s early life felt a bit out of place in the first bit of the book. I don’t mean to downplay the hurdles he endured- the detail on his early life in India just wasn’t what I was expecting. There are also a few details of his personal life that frustrated me a bit. They weren’t the focus of the book, and I recognize that some of what bugged me was cultural norms that I’ll never fully understand- but since he included the details his past marriages and children, I feel the need to mention in my review that some of that did irk me.

Aaaaaanyways- onto what I liked!

The climate is something I care about lot about, but admittedly, don’t understand as much as I’d like. This packed a lot of info on how we are able to predict basic weather forecasting, and long term climate models. Personally I found it really cool to learn about how forecasting has served as a public good (allowing people to be proactive rather than reactive to extreme weather events) and understand some of the “tools” we have better- and it’s incredibly encouraging to know that there are scientists out there doing a lot of work on understanding and coming up with ways to adapt, and respond to climate change.

The book ends on an incredibly hopeful note- we have the people, we have the tools- now we just need to clear the hurdle of getting people to listen, which Dr. Shukla postulates will happen as younger people begin to take on the leadership of companies and governments.

Overall, if you’re interested I’d recommend this (the narration is quite good too!), just be mindful that the first 15-20% isn’t as focused on the climate science as you might hope.

This was an easy to digest account of Shukla’s career and how some modern weather/climate prediction systems work. I think I might be more used to memoirs that get a bit more emotional and parts of the book felt like a resume flourished with anecdotes. I did find the bits about climate prediction and how it was developed really interesting.

From a pure narration stand point Shahjehan Khan’s narration flowed well and was easy to listen to. That being said, given the age of the author, Khan’s youth clashed a bit with what I found to be the intended aim.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 Stars (Excellent)
Setting: India and the United States of America
Genre: Memoir

A Billion Butterflies is a fascinating memoir that blends personal perseverance, scientific discovery, and the complexities of cultural navigation into one compelling narrative. Dr. Jagadish Shukla’s story is nothing short of extraordinary—rising from a childhood in rural India, where his early education took place in a cow shed, to becoming a globally recognized climate scientist whose work revolutionized weather prediction.

What makes this book stand out is its balance between personal anecdotes and scientific achievements. Shukla’s journey is not just about intellect but about resilience, adaptability, and an unwavering passion for understanding the world’s most unpredictable forces. His contributions to modern forecasting have had profound impacts on agriculture, disaster preparedness, and climate change awareness, making this book as relevant as it is inspiring.

While the memoir is deeply engaging, some sections—especially those diving into the technical aspects of meteorology—may feel dense for readers unfamiliar with climate science. Additionally, while I thoroughly enjoyed Shukla’s personal story and respect his contributions to the field, I do not agree with all of his scientific conclusions. That said, his work undeniably shaped modern weather prediction, and his story is one of determination and impact.

A Billion Butterflies is a powerful read for anyone interested in the intersection of science, perseverance, and global influence. Whether or not you align with all of Shukla’s scientific perspectives, his journey is a testament to how one person’s determination can truly change the world.
#netgalley #abillionbutterflies #booked_this_weekend

If you didn’t already know, I love science! It’s always been my favorite subject in school, and my favorite thing to teach my own kids!

As a lover of all things science, I am constantly reading books on the subject, and trying to learn more.

In “A Billion Butterflies” we get to see history of weather prediction unfold. How it came to be, how it was liked and opposed, and how politics always play a hand in what type of decisions are made.

The book tells the story of renowned climate scientist, Dr. Jagadish Shukla, and begins with his life as a child growing up in India. This is probably the part I found most interesting, because throughout the book, the author returns to his hometown again and again, to try to better the lives of the people still living there. Reading about life in rural India is definitely a culture shock if you’re not expecting it. Life is so different from what we see here in America. It was an eye-opening look into the lives of the less fortunate.

While I may not share all of the same beliefs as Dr. Jagadish Shukla, I still felt like I learned a lot reading his book. If you are a fellow weather nerd, it contains a lot of interesting facts on how weather prediction got its start. It’s very well written and holds your interest.

Somehow I ended up with both an audio book and an ebook of this book. I thoroughly enjoyed them both. The audiobook was very easy to listen to. It definitely kept my interest.

I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for my honest unbiased opinion. I rate this book as 4 stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is a DNF for me 40% in. There is just too much talk about climate change and it seems politicized, something I try to stay away from these days.

Thank you for the opportunity to listen to this book.

Since I did not finish the audiobook I will not review it on selling sites or social media.

A Billion Butterflies is a captivating journey through the life and work of Dr. Jagadish Shukla, the man behind modern weather forecasting. I truly enjoyed this book—Dr. Shukla’s personal story is as inspiring as it is unlikely, and the science behind his groundbreaking work was explained in a way that was both accessible and engaging.

My only minor quibble is that I would have preferred a more linear narrative. At times, I found myself a bit unsure of where the timeline was headed. However, this slight disorientation didn’t overshadow the overall experience. The book remains a straightforward and amazing account of a life dedicated to transforming our understanding of weather and climate.

Overall, A Billion Butterflies is a wonderful blend of science and memoir, one that leaves you with a deeper appreciation for the marvels of modern weather prediction and the visionary behind it.

I want to thank NetGalley and MacMillian Audio for the ARC of A Billion Butterflies.

Interesting and well documented, excellent narration of audiobook. Will appeal to people interested in climate science, weather.

This memoir chronicles Dr. Shukla’s journey from the monsoon-soaked fields of rural India to the forefront of climate science. Born into a world devoid of electricity and formal education, he attended classes held in a cow shed, a humble beginning that belies his future contributions to meteorology.

Dr. Shukla is credited with extending the range of weather forecasting beyond the ten-day limit, a feat that has undoubtedly saved countless lives and livelihoods. His work on dynamical seasonal prediction has transformed our understanding of climate variability, allowing for more accurate predictions of weather-induced natural disasters.

The memoir is a blend of personal narrative and scientific discourse, offering insights into the life of a man whose work allows us to feed more people, save lives, and hold on to hope in a warming world.

In sum, “A Billion Butterflies” is a a testament to the power of intellect and perseverance in the face of adversity, and a reminder of the profound impact that one individual can have on our understanding of the natural world. It was an enlightening read but I will say the narration threw me off with the voice. I often read memoirs narrated by the author themselves and I believe I was expecting that or someone of his culture. Nevertheless, it was an informative piece.

A Million Butterflies (A Life in Climate and Chaos Theory) by Dr. Jagadish Shukla
Audio Version
Overall Grade: A-
Information: A-
Writing/Organization: B+
Narration: B+
Best Aspect: Excellent information on climate that for the most part is easy to understand for a non-scientist.
Worst Aspect: Would have like more personal memoir stories just because they were interest not because they didn’t exist.
Recommend: Yes