Firmament is an introduction to, and history of, atmospheric science
When I studied for my undergraduate degree in physics and my PhD, I was frustrated by a lack of historical context. I was learning about incredible things but had no sense of how they were discovered, or by whom, apart from perhaps a surname. Growing up I was lucky enough to read several popular science books that contextualised subjects from medicine to quantum physics, and these gave me a much better understanding of what could otherwise have been very abstract topics.
In writing Firmament I hoped to accomplish the same end result for atmospheric science - talking about what we know, but also how we know it. Providing historical context, but also scientific context for subjects as large and overwhelming as climate change and weather prediction. While many books have been written about climate and about weather, nothing about the physical system - the atmosphere - that underpins the two has been written for a general audience. Until now, of course!
Firmament is not a technical book. It’s aimed at the level of an interested high school student, not assuming any scientific or historic background. Though, as in my case, undergraduates studying Earth sciences, physics, or geography will hopefully find a new appreciation of the subject in its pages too.
You can get Firmament…
“An engaging account of something essential to life on Earth yet barely understood by most people: the atmosphere. If you don’t know your stratosphere from your troposphere, you will after reading this lively history... all the more powerful thanks to a final chapter that explains how this complex system is changing, and what that means for the future of humanity”
“Firmament will appeal to both non-specialist readers and professional meteorologists alike”
“The author’s enthusiasm shines through every page of this captivating guide to our unpredictable weather… He serves up high drama in balloons, deep ice drilling in the Antarctic, and through it all draws out the patterns in our seemingly chaotic weather — and the science behind them — with clarity and verve.”
“Clark writes with a lightness and enthusiasm that ensures that what goes on above us doesn’t go over our heads.”