Lightning: Nature and Culture (Earth), by Derek M. Elsom
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Lightning: Nature and Culture (Earth), by Derek M. Elsom
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Few phenomena inspire more awe than lightning. Streaking across the sky, it daunts us with its power and amazes us with its beauty. In Lightning, Derek M. Elsom explores this natural phenomenon and traces the long history of our study of it. From early civilizations’ assumptions that it was the work of gods, through eighteenth-century scientific analyses (and, yes, Ben Franklin’s kite), Elsom tells about our efforts to understand and explain lightning. He explores the many surprising folklore beliefs about lightning protection and contrasts these with today's scientific approaches. Alongside scientific explorations, he also tracks the path of lightning through our culture, from myths and legends to art and design. In addition, Elsom offers handy tips for avoiding getting struck by lightning. Beautifully illustrated with stunning photographs and artistic renderings, this striking book will appeal equally to weather buffs and folklorists, scientists and artists.
Lightning: Nature and Culture (Earth), by Derek M. Elsom- Amazon Sales Rank: #1078959 in Books
- Published on: 2015-10-15
- Original language: English
- Number of items: 1
- Dimensions: 8.25" h x .70" w x 6.00" l, .0 pounds
- Binding: Paperback
- 240 pages
Review “One of a series of books on natural phenomena that traces a history of the topic through cultural superstitions, scientific discoveries, and depictions in literature and the arts, illustrated by beautiful colour photography. From odd warding customs, the gods of antiquity and ball lightning to lighting marks, St Elmo’s Fire and solidified lightning (fulgurites), Derek Elsom maintains our interest throughout, making this very accessible to everyman . . . an excellent introduction to one of the mysterious forces of nature.” (Fortean Times)“The phenomenon of lightning has long frightened and fascinated humanity. As part of Reaktion’s “Earth” series, this book explores the scientific and social aspects of this natural occurrence. . . . This book, beautifully illustrated with many color photographs, provides an excellent, basic overview of the subject. ” (Choice)
About the Author Derek M. Elsom is professor emeritus of geography at Oxford Brookes University, UK and is the author of Earth: The Making, Shaping and Workings of a Planet; Weather Explained; and Smog Alert: Managing Urban Air Quality.
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Most helpful customer reviews
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Frankenstein, Thor, ball lightning, storm stops on organs and lots more. Mostly lightning and culture. By lyndonbrecht If you are interested in lightning, consider reading this book. It is largely cultural aspects (and one chapter is essentially a warning to get somewhere safe if lightning threatens). There is some science, but not much and it's entirely accessible. The illustrations are excellent all the way through, although how many spectacular lightning shots are needed to make the point? The writing is good throughout.I do have one sort of gripe. Chapter 1 is titled "Weapons of Gods and Goddesses" and Chapter 2 is titled "Fear of Lightning: Thunderbolts, Witchcraft and Protective Charms." These two comprise a quarter of the book and I think rather overdo the point. There is a sort of list of lightning gods continent by continent. There is interesting info: for long it was widely thought (in Europe, at least) that lightning striking the ground left stones, called thunderbolts, that were used to protect homes and people; these apparently were sometimes fossils and sometimes unrecognized ancient tools. There's a digression into fulgerites that suddenly appears, although it is interesting. There's also the--is it irony?--cultural habit once widespread of ringing church bells to ward off lightning, with a sizable casualty list of bell ringers. The witchcraft portion is interesting in its way. Executions for witchcraft in some numbers continues in some places even in the 21st century.Chapter 3 discusses the science and nature of lightning. I was intrigued to read that smoke from wildfires can create pyrocumulonimbus clouds capable of generating lightning, although rare. There's a brief discussion of ball lightning, and Elsom doesn't exactly say it does or does not exist, but there are credible reports and the controversy about it continues. Chapter 4 looks at lightning as threats to people and to activities. This is difficult to describe, but discusses how, for example, a person struck by lightning may survive if the bolt travels on the outside of the body or clothes. Elsom makes quite well the point that lightning is dangerous and go for safety when it threatens. Deaths are down in industrial countries as more people are inside away from storms, but death by lightning continues in places where people work outdoors (238 people killed by lightning in the US from 2006 to 2012). Lightning can also travel a long way and strike out of a clear sky under some circumstances. This chapter also discusses Franklin and others who studied lightning (remarkable that Franklin wasn't fried long before his days as American elder statesman), the invention of the lightning rod, and systems to make ships safe from lightning. The section on making commercial aircraft safe from lightning is a topic I would guess few readers are aware of.The last chapter considers lightning in literature, pop culture and the arts. Lightning can be used as a symbol of divine wrath or the power of nature, but also has become normative in any genre descended from Frankenstein. There is some interesting information in this chapter: some organs have a "storm effects" stop, and there are some interesting ways to make the sound of thunder for plays and music.
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