Divine Wind: The History and Science of Hurricanes (Hardcover)

~ Kerry Emanuel (Author) "Were it not for two typhoons, Japan might be part of China today..." (more)
Key Phrases: great hurricane, extratropical transition, hurricane reconnaissance, Weather Bureau, North Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Named for the evil Caribbean deity Huracan, hurricanes are presented in verse, art, history, and science in this well-designed album by MIT professor Emanuel. His discussions encompass hurricane formation and dissolution, the uncertainty in predicting a storm's behavior, digressions into historical catastrophes, and the risk inherent in building along tropical coastlines. With exceptionally clear prose, Emanuel explains the atmospheric forces that restrict hurricanes to tropical latitudes and upends popular misconceptions about their frequency, noting that "the problem for research scientists is not why hurricanes develop, but why they hardly happen." Noting the genesis of many Atlantic hurricanes in easterly waves flowing off the Sahara Desert, Emanuel delves into the array of physical factors that impinge on the strength and direction of a tempest, points reinforced by a wealth of diagrams, satellite imagery, and a majestic photo-essay about flying into a hurricane. The science is reinforced by evocative artwork of storm-tossed ships and ravaged landscapes. A gripping popular treatment of peril, that will have great resonance in light of recent disasters. Gilbert Taylor
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"Emanuel's work, inspired by these terrible storms, reaches a different, and thrilling, level of art." -- -Plain Dealer, Karen Long, September 11, 2005

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 296 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; illustrated edition edition (September 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195149416
• ISBN-13: 978-0195149418
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #340,569 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Splendid Mix of Science and History, November 16, 2005

By	John Matlock "Gunny" (Winnemucca, NV) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Rarely has a book come out in so timely a fashion. And to match the timeliness, rarely has a book had such an excellent match of science and history.

The book gives a series of historical stories beginning with the Kamikaze storms that saved Japan from the Mongol invasions in 1274 and 1281. He continues with numerous stories from the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico including incidents beginning with Columbus and continuing until recent times. Two particularily interesting chapters dealt with the 1945 typhoons that did more damage to Admiral Halsey's fleet than the Japanese, and then the chapter on flying airplanes into the eye fo the storms.

From the scientific standpoint he presents numerous chapters on every aspect from general descriptions to explaining terms used by the weather forcasters such as wind shear. At the conclusion you'll understand what's happening much better.

And to prove just how good forecasting has become, the forecast at the beginning of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season 15 named tropical storms and eight hurricanes were predicted. By November 1, 2005 there have been 23 named storms...with 13 becoming hurricanes and 7 becoming major hurricanes.

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A unique and "Divine" book about Hurricanes!, September 25, 2005

By	D. Rosenfeld (Wayland, MA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

While it is true that the Amazon rating system only goes to 5, this excellent book should get a 10!! I've read/own most of the hurricane books written and this is absolutely one of the best.

The rare artwork, clear illustrations, historical treatment and cutting-edge science make this a book that should be in your library.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SUPERB, February 22, 2006

By	W. Tuohy (California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

This book is subtitled "The History and Science of Hurricanes." Exactly.
I bought it to learn more about the natural processes that produce hurricanes, and the science that "explains" them. I got everything that I hoped for, and more.
This is a nicely written description of science for the non-scientist, but not dumbed down or patronizing. I also got social history, not a topic I had been looking for, but which I enjoyed; it added yet another dimension to this outstanding presentation.
10 stars for this book.
I am about to buy a second copy, for a friend in Florida.