Rain of Iron and Ice shows us the unmistakable evidence—from spaceprobe flybys of the planets to the scars on our own Earth—of cataclysmic comet and asteroid impacts. By comparing what we know about the earth’s geology and paleontology with the ages of the other planets and moons in our solar system, Lewis makes the strongest case yet for sudden, dramatic extinctions and assesses the risks to planet Earth.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
This volume informally yet comprehensively surveys meteorites (which reach the surface of the earth) and meteors (which don't)-their origins, types, consequences and prospects for influencing future events. Author Lewis, codirector for science at a NASA/University of Arizona research center, is passionate and upbeat on the topic. Addressing the general reader, he recounts apt anecdotes in historical context while outlining a commonsensical framework for understanding the scientific scope and nature of the matter that comes to earth from space. Early chapters describe legendary meteorite falls. Subsequent chapters consider, for example, new knowledge from studies of nuclear explosions, cratering on Mars and Mercury, atmospheric effects on Venus and biological signatures of impacts in earth fossil records. Very interesting are results of computer simulations based on the accumulated discoveries, which project what we can expect from future encounters. Overall, Lewis presents an impressively readable and informative digest of current knowledge on the subject.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Library Journal
News flash: After 200 years of touting the uniformity principle, scientists have discovered catastrophism. Of course, there has always been evidence of destruction coming from the heavens: The Book of Revelations, Charles Fort, medieval astrologers, Christian Millenialists, and Immanuel Velikovsky have all insisted upon it. But now, after centuries of debunking such theories, science proclaims its official dictum: cataclysm is possible, indeed probable. Rain of Iron and Ice traces the history of religious and scientific beliefs about meteorite falls, cometary eruptions, and asteroid near-misses and reviews eschatology (the literature of such catastrophes). Lewis, a noted planetary scientist and impact crater expert and author of Space Resources (LJ, 9/15/87), follows the fascinating study of bombardment on the Earth, Moon, Mercury, Venus, and Mars. He outlines the results of computer simulations and the implications for the future of life on Earth, offering suggestions as to "what we can do about it." Lewis does a fairly thorough job of reviling experts for scoffing at superstition and ignoring the vast quantities of eyewitness reports, but he stays within the bounds of establishment science (there are no footnotes to Velikovsky). Following Duncan Steel's more lay oriented Rogue Asteroids and Doomsday Comets (LJ 5/1/95), this scholarly history is suitable for academic libraries and informed science readers in public libraries.?Valerie Vaughan, Hatfield P.L., Mass.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent, and scary,
By
This review is from: Rain of Iron and Ice: The Very Real Threat of Comet and Asteroid Bombardment (Helix books) (Hardcover)
Dr. Lewis is an acknowledged expert on the topic of impacts, and it shows. His writing is clear and vivid; his descriptions of impact events are some of the best (and most chilling) I have read. There is a wealth of detail about potentially hazardous asteroids and comets, yet he never talks above the reader's head. As a professional astronomer myself and one who has talked about this subject many times, I highly recommend this book.
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Lewis set to rock with "Rain of Iron and Ice",
By A Customer
This review is from: Rain Of Iron And Ice: The Very Real Threat Of Comet And Asteroid Bombardment (Helix Books) (Paperback)
John S. Lewis uses his extensive knowledge of asteroids and comets to create "Rain of Iron and Ice", the most authoritative work on the cosmic threat that I have read to date. Most fascinating and frightening about the book is the computer simulations of impacts at various locations around the world. The scenarios are a reminder of exactly how vunerable the Earth is to a threat that is largely misunderstood and taken for granted. Serious students of asteroid and comet impact will appreciate the technical accuracy with which Lewis delivers the material. Those picking up the book for the first time will be surprised with the ease of readability and the easy flow of the author's words. The accuracy and readability of "Rain of Iron and Ice" will leave no doubt as to just how real the threat asteroids and comets pose to our planet.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the finest books on the subject.,
By A Customer
This review is from: Rain Of Iron And Ice: The Very Real Threat Of Comet And Asteroid Bombardment (Helix Books) (Paperback)
An excellent book, both for the beginner, or for the serious student of cosmic impact. The author takes us on a tour of impacts through the solar system, and then back through the history of our own planet, revealing some disturbing evidence of past impact. If you're looking for a good book on the subject, this is it.
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
|
|
Inside This Book
(learn more)
First Sentence:
Long before modern times, long before there was such a thing as a university or a scientist. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
optimum burst height, aerial explosion, brilliant fireballs, meteor streams, comet nuclei, perihelion passage, meteorite fall, cometary debris, ocean impacts, thermal engine, ordinary chondrite, impact hazard, explosive yield, iron meteorites, impact cratering, tsunami waves, inner solar system, comet nucleus Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
New York Times, United States, Soviet Union, China Yau, University of Arizona, Coon Butte, New Jersey, Kitt Peak, Los Angeles, North America, San Francisco, Campo del Cielo, Canyon Diablo, South Africa, South Atlantic, World War, American Mariner, Atlantic Ocean, Date Place Source Event, New Martinsville, New Mexico, Tom Gehrels, West Virginia, Western Pacific New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Long before modern times, long before there was such a thing as a university or a scientist. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
optimum burst height, aerial explosion, brilliant fireballs, meteor streams, comet nuclei, perihelion passage, meteorite fall, cometary debris, ocean impacts, thermal engine, ordinary chondrite, impact hazard, explosive yield, iron meteorites, impact cratering, tsunami waves, inner solar system, comet nucleus Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
New York Times, United States, Soviet Union, China Yau, University of Arizona, Coon Butte, New Jersey, Kitt Peak, Los Angeles, North America, San Francisco, Campo del Cielo, Canyon Diablo, South Africa, South Atlantic, World War, American Mariner, Atlantic Ocean, Date Place Source Event, New Martinsville, New Mexico, Tom Gehrels, West Virginia, Western Pacific New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 23
books:
See all 23 books this book cites
38
books
cite this book:
See all 38 books citing this book
- Principles of Geology (Penguin Classics) by Charles Lyell on page 15
- A History of the Franks (Penguin Classics) by Gregory of Tours in Back Matter
- The Time Machine (Penguin Classics) by H.G. Wells on page 86
- The Time Machine by H. G. Wells on page 86
- The Invisible Man and The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells on page 86
See all 23 books this book cites
- A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson on 4 pages
- The Mars Mystery: The Secret Connection Between Earth and the Red Planet by Graham Hancock on 4 pages
- A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson in Back Matter (1), Back Matter (2), and Back Matter (3)
- Bad Astronomy: Misconceptions and Misuses Revealed, from Astrology to the Moon Landing "Hoax" by Philip C. Plait on page 139, page 140, and Back Matter
- Countdown To Apocalypse: A Scientific Exploration Of The End Of The World by Paul Halpern on page 274, and page 280
See all 38 books citing this book
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
|
|
