The Secret World of Weather

What a fabulous, fabulous book! Written by a sailor and pilot in a conversational tone, the information and knowledge is mind blowing, written with wit and helpful illustrations. No exaggerating...this book is life changing to people like me with a deep interest in weather. My dad was a weather man who phoned in precipitation and temperatures to the local weather radio station and enjoyed weather watching. As a master gardener who gardens and weather watches in the warm Mediterranean and frigid Saskatchewan, this book is eye opening.

From the origin of the fascinating word "forecast" and clouds to microclimates and sun pockets to dew and forensic meteorology, I learned a LOT. So many things stand out in my mind but it would take many pages to describe them so will list a few...birds flying get bigger as the day grows older, humid blankets, virga, contrails, gap winds, wind bulge and rare eyebrow clouds. In my home in Croatia on cold clear days we can see the Alps and now I know why! Our Bora is mentioned, too. So are gardening zones which are important (in Saskatchewan it is a measly 2a but thankfully in Croatia a lovely 9). I'm also a nature nut and forager so was thrilled to read about the role of animals, fungi and trees (huge impact). Can't wait to mindfully stand beneath various tree species during rain. The Seven Golden Patterns are so useful. I found myself making copious notes and looking at clouds for practice. So many aha! moments. So many cloud/storm photographs to scrutinize, this time with knowledge!

Anyone interested in weather (who isn't?) ought to read this brilliant book. I could not possibly recommend it enough.

My sincere thank you to The Experiment and NetGalley for the privilege of reading the early eARC of this revolutionary, thoughtfully-written book. I will be buying the hard copy when it comes out!

This was a beautifully illustrated and really fun read that I would recommend to weather enthusiasts, people looking to learn, or just people who like staring at pretty things.

The Secret World of Weather is a wonderful explanation of not only the weather as a larger concept, but of what really makes up the specific world we live in. From microclimates to sun pockets to clouds and more, this book was eye-opening in terms of what I see every day and never took notice of before. I felt like I was stepping into a whole new world without going anywhere, and gained a much deeper appreciation of how small changes and indications impact how I and the spaces I occupy interact moment to moment. Many of the concepts that Tristan Gooley explores in this book are ones that know without really knowing. For example, I find a warmer sun pocket to sit in when it is chilly outdoors, or sit under a tree where there is not only shade, but also more breeze. These are things I do unconsciously, but now I know that there was indeed a more solid reason for it. Tristan Gooley writes in a way that is extremely accessible and clear. I never found myself overwhelmed with scientific terminology or concepts. This is a great book for a casual nature and weather fan who wants something just a little more interesting to explore. I am looking forward to taking this book with me as I walk around and explore my own little corner of the world each day.

Forget the Doppler Radar and all of the other fancy technology that television weather forecasters like to brag about. Tristan Gooley teaches us to just Pay Attention to Mother Nature and you'll know much more than the local forecasters can tell you. Learn to tell direction, which way is the wind blowing from? Where does the sun rise and set in different seasons? Which trees and plants are thriving in the area? What do you smell on the wind? How much moisture do you feel in the air around you? By following the explanations in The Secret World of Weather, you'll be more accurately informed about your local weather than any newscaster can tell you. And forget about those 10 day forecasts....they are no more accurate than finding the needle in the haystack on your first try! Very informative, simple and common sense explanations of how our world works.

I was pleased to be given the opportunity to read this ARC. My husband and I are amateur weather watchers and enjoy learning more whenever given the chance. We both read this book so the review is a combination of our thoughts.
The book was written in an easy to understand method. The science of the facts could have easily gone over our heads but it was written at a level that anyone could understand. Scientific words were used in a way so that you could learn what they meant in plain english. Lots of illustrations were provided so the explanations were easier to visualize. World weather examples were referred to making the book relatable to a wider audience. The author gives anecdotes that are easy to interpret and put into perspective.
The chapters were divided well so you could read a little here and there and digest what you read before moving on to another chapter. This makes it easy to use as a field guide. It is perfect for putting on your shelf (or carry with you in e-form) and open it up when you see weather that you would like to further investigate. We are able to see our current weather and understand it based on what we read.
We reviewed the book as an ebook but we plan to get a hard copy for our home as well.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for giving us the opportunity to read and review this terrific book!

My thanks to NetGalley and The Experiment for an advanced copy of this book.

Tristan Gooley has again made the natural world a little less mysterious, a little more understandable and with new understanding comes more time outside.

In The Secret World of Weather: How to Read Signs in Every Cloud, Breeze, Hill, Street, Plant, Animal, and Dewdrop Mr Gooley clearly, cleanly and understandably explains that mysterious conversation starter that all humans seem to use, Weather. We all discuss it, most curse it, some try to forecast it, many make fun of the forecasters for their jobs. But as in politics, all weather is local. Using sketches, pictures and his own avuncular style Mr. Gooley explains climates, microclimates, clouds, rain blankets and showers, with plenty of fun facts to share with clever nephews, as I plan to.

What Mr. Gooley teaches and shows most is being aware of your surroundings. You can read all you want of these books, but if you don't stop to look around, or just stop and take in the world, it is all for nothing. Mr. Gooley wants your attention to understand the natural world., for with understanding comes appreciation, and respect. This is Mr. Gooley's greatest lesson.

Five stars!
I love this book! So much information made extremely accessible by the author's clear explanations and conversational tone. Scientific without being pedantic, The Secret World of Weather makes weather phenomena easy to interpret and even predict, even without all the fancy computers and maps your favorite TV weather forecaster uses. I am so grateful to NetGalley and The Experiment for allowing me to read and review this book. I will definitely be purchasing a hard copy for future reference.

There is a much used quote many of us only know the first part of:

"There is nothing new under the sun and few who take the time to see any of it."

I have always been interested in weather; the science, the unpredictability, and why the weather is often different on one side than the other--of a long north-south running street near my home. In school, I only learned tantalizing tidbits. I wanted more, but found nothing.

I'm delighted to announce that this book explains EVERYTHING you want to know, and amazing things you never thought to wonder about weather.

Local weather--microclimate--is what we live with every day. It's what we actually care about in terms of daily life, travel, and comfort.

The big maps on tv news with sweeping arrows can provide general ideas, but if you want to understand why, or if you want to recognize the clues and know how to predict weather for your backyard barbecue (and every other event), this book will teach you!

The conversational style, and frequent personal experiences of the author, make reading Secret World like a chat with a fascinating guest, or the kind of lecture you attend where everything fades to the background and you don't notice time passing. It is an absolute delight to read.

Tips and lessons learned come from visits all around the globe, and the writing is clear and concise.

I will be among the first to own a copy of this book. I will read and re-read it until I can do as the author does.

I highly recommend it to every person who is curious about a thing we truly share equally: wet or dry, bright or dark, hot or cold, "What will the weather be tomorrow?"

Thank you, Netgalley and the publishers for the pleasure of previewing this book!

5/5 Stars!

I think you could use this in homeschooling if you are studying Earth Science or Meteorology. I wish that there were more pictures- but maybe there are in the finished book?
Overall though a solid nonfiction title that made scientific things easy to understand.

This book was a pleasant surprise! It was very informative and truly got me interested in meteorology. Interested to see more from the author in the future.

What a fascinating read! The book was both entertaining and educational. A great casual read that I will recommend to our purchasing ctee.

This had so many important and new information that I wasn't aware of. I really appreciated that it touched on climate change. I learned so many things from this book. I also really love the cover! I will definitely be reading more Tristan Gooley in the future.