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Firmament

The Hidden Science of Weather, Climate Change and the Air That Surrounds Us

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Firmament

By: Simon Clark
Narrated by: Simon Clark
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About this listen

 A thin, invisible layer of air surrounds the Earth, sustaining all known life on the planet and creating the unique climates and weather patterns that make each part of the world different.

In Firmament, atmospheric scientist and science communicator Simon Clark offers a rare and accessible tour of the ins and outs of the atmosphere and how we know what we know about it. From the workings of its different layers to why carbon dioxide is special, from pioneers like Pascal to the unsung heroes working in the field to help us understand climate change, Firmament introduces us to an oft-overlooked area of science and not only lays the ground work for us to better understand the debates surrounding the climate today, but also provides a glimpse of the future that is possible with this knowledge in hand.

(P) 2022 Hodder & Stoughton Limited©2022 Simon Clark Atmospheric Science Earth Sciences Environment Science Climate Science

Critic reviews

An engaging account of something essential to life on Earth yet barely understood by most people: the atmosphere. If you don't know your stratosphere from your troposphere, you will after reading this lively history... all the more powerful thanks to a final chapter that explains how this complex system is changing, and what that means for the future of humanity. -- Financial Times
The author's enthusiasm shines through every page of this captivating guide to our unpredictable weather... He serves up high drama in balloons, deep ice drilling in the Antarctic, and through it all draws out the patterns in our seemingly chaotic weather - and the science behind them - with clarity and verve. - Sunday Times
Simon Clark writes with a lightness and enthusiasm that ensures that what goes on above us doesn't go over our heads. - Irish Independent
All stars
Most relevant
As a person who watched Simon Clark’s YouTube videos and listens to the Wikicast, I have been looking forwards to this book for a long time. I was scared that it would be too technical to me, as physics is one of my weakest academic areas and I’ve always struggled with the meteorology parts of my courses on climate at uni the most, but it was good. It mixed formal and informal narration making it easy and fun to follow. I guess it helps that I’m used to listening to Simon talk a lot in podcast or video form haha.

There were a couple aspects regarding ethics and the colonial history of science that I wish Simon would have expanded on, but in the end it is a natural science book more than a social one (even if I believe that they intersect more than they are presented as doing).

Anyway! I would definitely recommend giving this a read if you are interested in learning about atmospheric science or some climate change basics.

A good listen!

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I did my bachelors in chemistry. it was really interesting to hear about the different backgrounds and history of how some of the fundamental elements of science came to be.

fascinating storys about the origins of atmospheric science

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This eloquently performed piece of writing is full to the brim with well balanced, well researched facts on a subject that not many know about but is one that affects us all. Dr Simon Clark paints an astounding picture of the past and doesn’t gloss over it’s ugly pasts. He recognises the privilege of some and the incredible triumphs of others. I look forward to more of his work in the future as he is a true talent.

Great writer, Great work!!

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An interesting, entertaining, educational, and well-performed crash course on most things atmosphere. Glad I decided to pick this up.

Actually good

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I initially bought the audiobook in a 2-for-1 promotion, listened to it straight through once, then again in installments. I also bought the Kindle version so I can easily follow up on links and references. It is superb. Comprehensive yet concise, with barely a wasted word. I've been down endless rabbit holes for the last fortnight, chasing up references. Simon also has a great YouTube channel. He has a gift for explaining complex material without oversimplifying. This is his first book - hopefully, the first of many.

Outstanding

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