Clouds are ephemeral but the lasting impression this book leaves upon you is anything but.
Who among us has not observed clouds and wondered about them; who has not looked at cloud formations only to see them disappear before our eyes? The Ancients used clouds to predict weather and attributed spirituality to them, and modern religions share a common belief in a heaven on high, in or above the clouds.
Clouds are a common denominator for all humanity, indeed for every lifeform on Earth. What is visible to one is visible to all. The effects of clouds show no preference for class or caste, wealth or poverty, privilege or lack thereof. The turbulence on a flight affects business class and economy equally; the tornado will destroy mansion and hovel without favour.
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.
Artists have done this for centuries. The clouds you see in classic works are not random expressions, but the precise representation of the formations that captured their attention and imagination.
Edvard Munch's classic work, The Scream, illustrates this forcefully - can you imagine the picture with a benign blue sky with light fluffy cumulus clouds?
It is even thought that Vincent Van Gogh, that deeply troubled soul, had an innate ability to "see" the wind and all its turbulent motions.
I profess no cachet as an art critic, but art nevertheless has been important to me throughout my life, and there was never a gallery that I didn't wander into. Similarly, the influence of science, its beauty and precision, has affected me greatly, and the marriage of the two in this book is a breathtaking accomplishment. The great scientists of the ages, from Darwin to Einstein, from Galileo to Dawkins, saw no schism between the two.
Edward Graham has produced a magnum opus, nothing less, and he deserves the gratitude and admiration of all who read this book.
Joni Mitchell may have "looked at clouds from both sides now" - I will never look at them the same way again.
Minor niggly - Page 121 - "as known as 'geoengineering'" should read "also known as 'geoengineering.'"
Clouds: How to Identify Nature's Most Fleeting Forms - Princeton University Press
Edward Graham
Hardcover - US$29.95 - ISBN: 9780691262482
224 pages - 8.5 x 10.5 inches (21.25 x 26.25 cm)
140 colour illustrations
Publication date: 22 April, 2025
It looks marvelous. I love seeing clouds in artwork, as well as in nature. And of course, every photographer likes having clouds to dress up the sky.
ReplyDeleteNice book! When I was in a Master Naturalist class in 2021 [before it was cancelled] we were studying clouds and what they could tell us. I can recall my grandmother predicting weather just by looking at the clouds. At times she was more accurate than the weather people. Of course, that was in the 1960's and 70's.
ReplyDeleteI was never good at identifying clouds despite the fact I did need to know their basic forms for my final exams at university. :D Learning to tell apart different animals or even stones is way easier for me. This looks like a great book though. And it's neat that it bridges science with art.
ReplyDelete...clouds are a fascinating part of nature.
ReplyDeleteWatching the clouds is magical, always different and with surprising shapes. The book looks fantastic.
ReplyDeleteThanks for mentioning Joni Mitchell; I haven't heard that song in a while.
Did you paint the beach with the palm tree?
I wouldn't be surprised if it was a Costa Rican landscape.
Un abrazo David
The picture is done by Rocio - “my Cuban granddaughter.” It is a very familiar scene from the Bay of Pigs.
DeleteAlways wonder the meaning of the different kinds of clouds...add this to my wish list!
ReplyDeleteClouds are an embellishment created by nature.
ReplyDeleteI have been a cloudwatcher since early childhood. Always a source of joy, and occasionally worry!
ReplyDeleteYes, storm clouds can raise the level of anxiety.
DeleteThat sounds wonderful. And as far as proof reading errors a minor one.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a very interesting book, David. I love clouds, and I always study them when I'm out. The Scream is a famous painting, but I prefer Vincent von Gogh. I like his art very much.
ReplyDeleteHugs and kisses, Marit
It is visually stunning, Marit.
DeleteI like watching a cloudy sky after the storm!
ReplyDeleteThat's really an interesting book.
Clouds are amazing and I love watching them and getting photos of them. Joni Mitchell is a fine poet indeed and what a voice :-D
ReplyDeleteAnd she is CANADIAN!
DeleteIndeed! Was thinking about Neil Young, Leonard Cohen and Gordon Lightfoot too!
DeleteWhat is NOT to love about a book with so many fabulous illustrations? This looks like a lovely one, one I might not have encountered -- and would love to.
ReplyDeleteMaybe your local library will stock it, Jeanie.
DeleteHello David :)
ReplyDeleteThis book seems like a fascinating read. Combining art with scientific knowledge and nature must be of great interest.The paintings of famous artists shown on the cover is a great way to demonstrate the mood and beauty that clouds create.
xoxo
Sonjia
It “ brings clouds home” in a way like no other book I have ever seen.
DeleteWow. Now this sounds like a book I would definitely enjoy. Have fun cloud watching this weekend, David.
ReplyDeleteWhat`s up David!
ReplyDeleteVan Gogh and the wind, what a poetic and beautiful image! clouds give me a feeling of instability and eternity. I love this book's approach!
Clouds make me philosophical. Sometimes i feel like they, like us, are racing toward nothingness, but they are also eternal 🌥️ ☁️
Happy weekend, dear friend! Gros bisous.
You are a true philosopher, Carolina. xoxo
DeleteI read an article that suggested that the sky colours in The Scream are a result of volcanic ash in the high atmosphere. It's an interesting idea.
DeleteCheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
Wonderful book presentation David!
ReplyDeleteClouds have always impressed me and I watch them in the sky!
I had never thought about combining them with art!!
Your photos are incredibly clear!
Thank you very much!!
Clouds are intriguing and much can be learnt from them.
ReplyDeleteThis seems to me a very good book David.
ReplyDeleteI love looking at the clouds and I can do that very well here from the flat and the IJsselmeer where we live.
I wish you a good weekend.
Greetings Irma
Love watching clouds...and took a picture of them...
ReplyDeleteInteresting book with paintings...
Thanks for sharing !
Have a nice weekend !
Anna
As a child I was able to see all manner of objects in the sky. Sometimes I regret the loss of my childhood’s imagination.
DeletePilvet ovat todella kiehtovia. Tänään katselin niitä viimeksi, kun olin yksivuotiaan lapsenlapseni kanssa leikkipuistossa.
ReplyDeleteVanhat, jo edesmenneet sukulaiseni tosiaan katselivat tulevaa säätä pilvistä ja muista taivaan merkeistä.
I love, love, love clouds! We have a different book about clouds that was passed on to us by a friend. This looks like a wonderful book. Thanks for your enthusiastic review. Enjoy your day.
ReplyDeleteClouds add interest to the sky. A clear blue sky may bring favourable weather, but it lacks the appeal of a dark and brooding sky.
DeleteClouds in art is a wonderful book idea. You are lucky to be a reviewer for this publisher!
ReplyDeleteI hope the feeling on their part is reciprocal!
DeleteThe ancient Greeks believed that the gods lived on Mount Olympus, at 2900 m.
ReplyDeleteA little better foothold than in the clouds.
DeleteDavid, I enjoyed enjoying your post... and I like to know how interested you are in art...
ReplyDeleteThe reading suggestion is very interesting.
While still on break, I came to wish you a great week...
~~~~
Thank you. Much appreciated.
DeleteClouds have also played a role in cinema, too. Steven Spielberg, for one, uses clouds to great effect in Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
ReplyDeletethis is a book I would enjoy, I love cloud watching and in fact, 10 minutes ago I was in the back yard with Beau and looked up and sky is back to Florida Sky, we have had 2 weeks of no clouds, just solid blue sky, nothing to break the blue... I did take a few photos, brought the dog inside and ran to the front porch and the view is spectacular and there are more than one type of cloud today.. coming soon to a blog near you....
ReplyDeleteFotográficamente un cielo plagado de nubes lo hace bastante atractivo.
ReplyDeleteMy brother used to be very interested in clouds. A bit meteorologically and aesthetically - he takes pictures. I only aesthetically, because I use an app for weather forecasts. A very interesting book, covering different aspects of the subject.
ReplyDeleteHi David - clouds are fascinating and ephemeral ... great review you've given us and I'd love to have the book ... but now - there's no need. We had a talk on clouds about 14 years ago that I went to ... called cloud-spotting ... it was interesting and easy to take in ... your book looks much more scientific ... cheers - we have a cloudless sky! Cold, but cloudless - Hilary
ReplyDeleteDavid, you always introduce us to the most interesting books! I love looking at clouds and love to learn about them. The photos look amazing.
ReplyDeleteReally a beautiful book. I love that painting too.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for your review.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds very interesting.
All the best Jan
Another wonderful review and I like the palm tree painting and seagulls very much. Thank you David!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a wonderful book. It seems clouds are an interest to most people. I would love a glance at this book.
ReplyDeleteHello David,
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Seattle! Immediately after I finished reading your post, I clicked over to Amazon to order the book. It is available in Hardcover and Kindle versions, and, as you mentioned, it will be available on 22 April. After some thought, I decided to purchase the Hardcover as I don’t think my Kindle (Kindle Scribe) will do justice to the images. Can’t wait to receive this book! I don’t know if you know Edward Graham or not, but, in any case, he is lucky to receive such an excellent review of his book. The funny (to me) thing about clouds is a coincidence: In my most recent blog post, I included an image with the caption “It’s all about the clouds.” 😊 Clouds have always been a fascination for me. I love your words, “Clouds are a common denominator for all humanity, indeed for every lifeform on Earth. What is visible to one is visible to all.” So absolutely true. Lastly, I wanted to say a special thank you for the very kind comment you left for me on my blog. You truly write wonderful comments! So, thank you again, best regards to you and yours!
John
And so do you, John.
DeleteVery interesting book Before I always looked at the sky now it is more like a weatherforcast..You know red sky in the mornings and red sky in the evening
ReplyDeleteMunch..Was a great painter.He was also very sick..as almost many artist are sorry..I never liked his scream..But yes I understand it.I more like Vincent VanGogh but he also makes me sometimes dizzy with his energic paintings(the way he paint) Natural painters lie Carravagio,Vermeer, Da Vinci and so on is more my style.It could had been great to read the book to get some understanding.Learning is life😍💖
Que nuvens impressionantes! Num livro muito interessante, recheado de sabedoria!
ReplyDeleteBeijinhos, David!
🌟🌟🌟Megy Maia
My husband used to do para-gliding, and of course for that he had to learn about clouds (among other things). I find it always interesting and fascinating what he tells me about them.
ReplyDeleteThis books looks like a real winner. You should start a fund for people like me who get hooked on books that you write a review about. Hugs - Carola
Looks like an interesting book with many wonderful illustrations. I love painting clouds. One never knows how they are going to end up..... Just like nature! Always fascinating.
ReplyDeleteI imagine it must be difficult for a 'plein air' artist painting clouds since their appearance can change in an instant.
DeleteVery interesting book!....I love to travel by car and play the game of.....what that cloud looks like!!...........Abrazotes, Marcela
ReplyDeleteQuerido David este parece un gran libro y ya miré para comprarlo y e visto que si, así que me lo regalaré. En mi casa lo primero que hago cuando me levanto es mirar el cielo y comprobar que me dicen las nubes, creo que es una manía. Muchas gracias por tan fabulosa reseña. Abrazos y besos para ti y para Miriam.
ReplyDeleteMe encantaría este libro, como sabes me gusta fotografiar las nubes. Abrazos.
ReplyDelete