Atmospheric Science, Second Edition: An Introductory Survey (International Geophysics) [Hardcover]

John M. Wallace (Author), John Michael Wallace (Author), Peter V. Hobbs (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 012732951X | ISBN-13: 978-0127329512 | Publication Date: February 15, 2006 | Edition: 2

Wallace and Hobbs' original edition of Atmospheric Science helped define the field nearly 30 years ago, and has served as the cornerstone for most university curriculums. Now students and professionals alike can use this updated classic to understand atmospheric phenomena in the context of the latest discoveries and technologies, and prepare themselves for more advanced study and real-life problem solving.

Atmospheric Science, Second Edition, has been completely revamped in terms of content and appearance. It contains new chapters on atmospheric chemistry, the Earth system,climate, and the atmospheric boundary layer, as well as enhanced treatment of atmospheric dynamics, weather forecasting, radiative transfer, severe storms, and human impacts, such as global warming. The authors illustrate concepts with colorful state-of-the-art imagery and cover a vast amount of new information in the field. They have also developed several online materials for instructors who adopt the text.

With its thorough coverage of the fundamentals, clear explanations, and extensive updates, Wallace & Hobbs' Atmospheric Science, Second Edition, is the essential first step in educating today's atmospheric scientists.

* Full-color satellite imagery and cloud photographs illustrate principles throughout
* Extensive numerical and qualitative exercises emphasize the application of basic physical principles to problems in the atmospheric sciences
* Biographical footnotes summarize the lives and work of scientists mentioned in the text, and provide students with a sense of the long history of meteorology
* Companion website encourages more advanced exploration of text topics: supplementary information, images, and bonus exercises

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Wallace and Hobbs...offer this excellent update of an outstanding introductory work. The organization of the book is very clear. Each chapter is well laid out with clear diagrams, good quality figures, and explanatory text. ...A first-class resource book. Summing Up: Highly recommended."
-- CHOICE


"In terms of both content and appearance, this title has been completely revamped from the first edition. It contains new chapters on atmospheric chemistry, the Earth system, climate, and the atmospheric boundary layer, as well as enhanced treatment of atmospheric dynamics, weather forecasting, radiative transfer, severe storms, and human impacts, such as global warming. The authors illustrate concepts with colorful state-of-the-art imagery and cover a vast amount of new information in the field."
--Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society

"Wallace and Hobbs' classic text has been completely updated in content and appearance...Qualitative and numerical exercises are included to reinforce learning, and biographical footnotes summarize the work of key scientists and the history of meteorology. The exercises and lessons are accompanied by full-color illustrations, satellite images, and ground-based photos."
--Weatherwise

Book Description

The long-awaited update of the classic atmospheric science text!

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 504 pages
• Publisher: Academic Press; 2 edition (February 15, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 012732951X
• ISBN-13: 978-0127329512
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8.7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #68,797 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #28 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Physics > Dynamics > Thermodynamics
  • #67 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Earth Sciences > Rivers
  • #74 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Earth Sciences > Weather

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars stimulating book, July 22, 2000

By 

Eduardo Fontes Henriques (Pelotas, RS Brazil) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Atmospheric Science: An Introductory Survey (International Geophysics) (Hardcover)

Although not being a specialist in the field (mine is Condensed Matter Physics), I found this book to be quite stimulating and well written. It is suitable for a student who has already some familiarity with Physics and Calculus (including several variables and vector calculus) and , in my opinion, that is just what makes it exciting, because it does not, although being introductory, bores the non-specialist reader with a mass of details or just qualitative information. I have been responsible for introductory Themodynamics classes for students of Physics and Meteorology for the last four years in my institute, and now I intend to use examples from the book .

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent (albeit dated) treatment of atmos. science, September 23, 2002

By 

Cody Kirkpatrick (Boulder, Colorado, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Atmospheric Science: An Introductory Survey (International Geophysics) (Hardcover)

(Update--there is a new edition of this textbook, out in spring 2006)

It's too bad Wallace and Hobbs never got around to revising this edition of the text, written in 1977. Of all the undergraduate textbooks I had, this was by far the best.

W&H cover all the important topics in meteorology and atmospheric science. Each chapter is very well written, easy to understand, and has good graphics and thought-provoking (often difficult!) questions at the end of each chapter. Each chapter ends with a series of mathematical questions--some of which require a good bit of thinking to arrive at the right equation to use; and also a series of "explain or interpret these statements." This is where you find out how much you really know!

Why do I like this book? Each chapter can, to some extent, stand on its own. Even though the material is dated (Chapter 5, on clouds and storms, would need significant additions in a course taught today), fundamental principles were the same then and are explained well. The historical notes about famous scientists also add character to the text.

My suggestion for a new reader: Chapters 1, 2, 8, 3, and 5 in that order. Then add Chapters 9, 4, 6, and 7. This way, you get the fundamental theory and then get to apply all you know to actual weather systems (in 3 and 5). The remaining four are almost like special topics and can be read at any time. If anyone has better suggestions, let me know!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best introductory atmospheric science text on the market, November 13, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Atmospheric Science: An Introductory Survey (International Geophysics) (Hardcover)

Hands down this text is the best for anyone looking for an introduction to the atmospheric sciences. There is almost no topic this book doesn't provide an overview of. Personally my favorite section is Thermodynamics. In my opinion the authors give a very clear and thorough introduction to the subject. Other topics in the book are also equally as good. As an introductory text (2nd year) this book provides a very good base for students in the atmospheric sciences to build upon. I find that even in 4th year I still referred back to the text to recall some of the basics that tend to get lost when you become so fixed on the math.

Excellent text, well worth the money (like almost any book in the field, it is expensive!). The fact that the book hasn't changed in 25yrs (even the cover is the same!) says something about it's quality.