Anyone with an interest in how the weather influences human behavior and health should read this book. Although it was published in 1980, the material in The Weather Matrix is still quite relevant. Neither weather phenomena nor human biology has changed appreciably since 1980 (I'm being facetious here; human physiology hasn't changed in 40,000 years and the weather here in New England changes by the minute) which means the human subject studies Persinger discusses, as well as all the meteorological data, are surprisingly current.
The Weather Matrix provides in-depth information about weather events that at times is quite technical, but is always interesting. Persinger's explanations of how weather fronts are formed, the speed at which they move, the determination of relative vs absolute humidity, as well as general information about our celestial companions,the sun and the moon, was clear and well presented. But what really distinguished this book was Persinger's excellent and concise description of the autonomic nervous system, which was the best I have read anywhere. The reason Persinger paid so much attention to providing readers with a good explanation of the autonomic nervous system, specifically the mid-brain and hypothalamus, is that this is the region most affected by weather changes. Persinger estimates that some 10% of the population is "weather sensitive." In these people, changes in the weather, particularly rapid changes in temperature and humidity, will generate perturbances in the autonomic nervous system. Listlessness, increases in pain, irritability, alterations in vascular tone and water balance can all be brought about by weather-related effects on the autonomic nervous system.
Persinger has the critical eye of a true scientist, and is not given to idle speculation. This makes his book reliable source material, as well as a font of information. The book can be a little dry in places (especially if you are not a meteorologist), but Persinger's occasional lapses into an equally dry wit make this an interesting, engaging read. There is,to date, no more complete book on how the weather affects the human body and mind.
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- Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2012Format: Hardcover
