Description

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Brimming with interesting facts and surprising anecdotes, this scientific and cultural history opens our eyes to the wonders of one of nature’s most delicate, delightful, and deadly phenomena: SNOW! Perfect for fans of The Hidden Life of Trees and Rain.

Go on an extraordinary journey across centuries and continents to experience the wonders of snow; from the prehistoric humans that trekked and even skied across it tens of thousands of years ago to the multi-billion-dollar industry behind our moving, making, and playing with snow. Blending accessible writing with fascinating science, Giles Whittell explores how snow dictates where we live, provides us with drinking water, and has influenced countless works of art and more.

Whittell also uncovers compelling mysteries of this miraculous substance, such as why avalanches happen, how snow saved a British prime minister’s life, where the legend of the yeti comes from, and the terrifying truth behind the opening ceremony of the 1960 winter Olympics.

Filled with in-depth research and whip-smart prose, Snow is an eye-opening and charming book that illuminates one of the most magnificent wonders of nature.

About the Author

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Giles Whittell is The Times of London’s chief leader writer, and the author of four books previous books, Lambada Country, Extreme Continental, Spitfire Women of World War II, and Bridge of Spies. He lives with his wife and children in South London.

Praise For…

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"A fact-packed volume that’s downright giddy with enthusiasm for its subject." —The Boston Globe

"A wonderful, wide-ranging book, all powder, no slush...Put this book on your Christmas list and let it snow, let it snow, let it snow." —The Times

 “[Whittell] whisks us back and forth from the vast to the minuscule, addressing the miracle of the formation of a snowflake with the scientific precision that almost counts as poetry.” —The Spectator

“Giles Whittell shares an engaging love of the white stuff [with an] urgent subtext: that by 2040 it might be a thing of the past." —Financial Times

“There is something magical about snow even when it holds your life in the balance, and this book captures that magic.” — Sir Ranulph Fiennes

”[Whittell's] keen interest and enthusiasm for the topic are apparent...Readers will want to grab an extra blanket when reading this well-researched and fascinating title" —Booklist