Rain Of Iron And Ice: The Very Real Threat Of Comet And Asteroid Bombardment (Helix Books) (Paperback)

by John S. Lewis (Author) "Long before modern times, long before there was such a thing as a university or a scientist..." (more)
Key Phrases: optimum burst height, aerial explosion, brilliant fireballs, New York Times, United States, Soviet Union (more...)

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.

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.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Basic Books (April 24, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0201154943
• ISBN-13: 978-0201154948
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #247,073 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, and scary, November 1, 2000

By	Philip C. Plait "The Bad Astronomer" (California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the finest books on the subject., August 27, 1998

By A Customer

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.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lewis set to rock with "Rain of Iron and Ice", March 16, 1998

By A Customer

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.