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The Weather Makers
How Man Is Changing The Climate And What It Means For Life On Earth
by Tim Flannery


8.7

based on 19 reviews
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based on 4 votes
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Official Book Site

Scientist Tim Flannery presents evidence that climate change is in fact occurring, and examines the causes and effects of global warming.

Atlantic Monthly Press, 352 pages
03/12/2006
$24.00

ISBN: 0871139359

Nonfiction
Current Events & Politics
Science & Nature

All reviews are classified as one of five grades: Outstanding (4 points), Favorable (3), Mixed (2), Unfavorable (1) and Terrible (0). To calculate the Metascore, we divide total points achieved by the total points possible (i.e., 4 x the number of reviews), with the resulting percentage (multiplied by 100) being the Metascore. Learn more...

The Globe And Mail [Toronto] Andrew Nikiforuk

This authoritative and maddeningly important book will fuel dinner arguments, spark school debates and rudely challenge the self-satisfied truffle-eaters and climate deniers among Calgary's oil elite.

Library Journal Gloria Maxwell

Flannery's powerful warning is a quick-start guide that will inspire readers to make a difference by changing their environmental behaviors. [Mar 2006]

Kirkus Reviews

A powerful and persuasive book, sure to provoke strong reaction. Oct 2005, p.1122]

Publishers Weekly

Flannery consistently produces the hard goods related to his main message that our environmental behavior makes us all "weather makers" who "already possess all the tools required to avoid catastrophic climate change." [Oct 2005, p.44]

Washington Post Thomas Hayden

It's as if having earned his scientific capital, Flannery is now ready to spend it, and in so doing he delivers a tour de force. Here, finally, we have an authoritative, scientifically accurate book on global warming that sparkles with life, clarity and intelligence, rather than settling for being merely important.

Daily Telegraph Susan Elderkin

A serious, lucid and far from dry examination of everything involved in the climate change story, from greenhouse gases to political corruption, by an informed and cool-headed field zoologist from Australia.

Entertainment Weekly Wook Kim

An enthralling crash course in climate change that benefits from Tim Flannery's offhand interdisciplinary brilliance (moving, in a few pages, from discussions of South African flora to deep-sea fishes to the environmental impact of cities).

Booklist Gilbert Taylor

After disturbing his audience with predictions of the imminent disappearance of coral reefs and polar bears, Flannery verbally accosts the industries and politicians he believes are responsible. [Mar 2006]

The Economist

He mercilessly dissects the alternatives—particularly the idea of replacing hydrocarbon fuels with hydrogen, which he regards as expensive and probably technically unfeasible.

Chicago Tribune Brenda Fowler

An almost encyclopedic review of the issue of global warming.

The Guardian Paul Brown

A refreshingly different perspective. While most of the book takes a global view, he pulls no punches in his assessment of his own government's contribution to the mess, and is acerbic about its motives, policies and abilities.

Christian Science Monitor Lori Valigra

The mix of detailed science and clear language will please both the casual reader and the arm-chair climatologist.

San Francisco Chronicle Steve Heilig

Flannery has done his job well, presenting the climate story engagingly in clear language, short paragraphs and avoiding overwrought scaremongering -- although those with ties to oil, automotive and other such industries will probably dispute that.

Slate Rob Nixon

His robust, charismatic voice escorts us effortlessly through 300 million years of climatic variations. The long view is his forte.

Boston Globe Bill McKibben

A useful if very long account of the workings of the atmosphere, the recent history of earth's climate, and the beginnings of the Industrial Revolution.

Boston Globe Bill McKibben

A useful if very long account of the workings of the atmosphere, the recent history of earth's climate, and the beginnings of the Industrial Revolution.

The New York Times Janet Maslin

Detail-packed to the point of terrible fascination.

The New York Times Book Review Carl Zimmer

Flannery makes a different mistake, sometimes overreaching in his attempt to make an absolutely overwhelming case.

Los Angeles Times Mark Svenvold

Our thinking isn't going to change if our hearts aren't changed, and our hearts won't be changed, I'm afraid, by the often jumpy and scattershot chapters of Flannery's book.

The average user rating for this book is 8.7 (out of 10) based on 4 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

John C gave it a9:
Should be required reading for all current and aspiring politicians

Ray S gave it an8:
If you only have time to read one book on global warming, this would make a good candidate. There is almost no aspect of the subject left unmentioned. Flannery mentions some factors affecting earth's climate, such as the wobble in the earth's spin, the change in the sun's temperature, and the changing distance from the earth to the sun, that I had not considered before. Most of the other subjects covered are well known to people who keep up with the global warming debate. This book will make you fear for our future if drastic changes are not made soon.

Mike B gave it a9:
Flannery packs a lot of details into this book and while yes, the chapters are a bit jumpy, this seems like a very full and accurate description of the current state of affairs. While Flannery is not an alarmist, the facts do speak for themselves, if we don´t act soon to limit GHG emmissions, there are many and severe consequences coming, and the only question is how soon will they be manifest? I´m going to buy copies for a number of friends, and I look forward to some very lively discussions as a result.

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The Weather Makers How Man Is Changing The Climate And What It Means For Life On Earth by Tim Flannery

The Weather Makers
How Man Is Changing The Climate And What It Means For Life On Earth
by Tim Flannery