BIBLIO is the largest independent book marketplace in the world, with over 100 million books.

Skip to content

The Invention of Clouds: How an Amateur Meteorologist Forged the Language of the
Stock photo: cover may vary

The Invention of Clouds: How an Amateur Meteorologist Forged the Language of the Skies Paperback - 2002

by Richard Hamblyn

Add to wish list

The true story of Luke Howard, the amateur English meteorologist who in 1802 gave the clouds their names--cumulus, cirrus, stratus--is part history of science, part cultural excavation.

Reader reviews for The Invention of Clouds: How an Amateur Meteorologist Forged the Language of the Skies

Write a review for this book

There are no reviews for this book yet. Be the first to write a review!

Your review will be anonymous unless you login or create an account first.

Overall rating
Remember: You’re rating the book as a work, not the seller or the condition of the specific copy you purchased!

Important Terms and Guidelines

  • Please focus on the book’s content and context. Also, add any personal comments as to how you enjoyed the book. Substantiate your likes and dislikes. You may make comparisons to other books.
  • Reviews must be at least 140 characters in length.
  • Please do not reveal critical plot elements.
  • This is not a help line. Contact customer support if you need help.
Your review must not include:
  • Obscenities, discriminatory language, or other insulting language not suitable for public domain
  • Advertisements, “spam” content, or references to other products, offers or websites.
  • Email addresses, URLs, phone numbers, physical addresses or other contact information.
  • Overly critical comments about other reviews or reviewers
  • Time-sensitive material (i.e. promotional tours, seminars, lectures, etc.)
  • Availability, price, or alternative ordering/shipping information

From the publisher

Winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize

The early years of the nineteenth century saw an intriguing yet little-known scientific advance catapult a shy young Quaker to the dizzy heights of fame. The Invention of Clouds tells the extraordinary story of an amateur meteorologist, Luke Howard, and his groundbreaking work to define what had hitherto been random and unknowable structures--clouds.

In December 1802, Luke Howard delivered a lecture that was to be a defining point in natural history and meteorology. He named the clouds, classifying them in terms that remain familiar to this day: cirrus, stratus, cumulus, and nimbus. This new and precise nomenclature sparked worldwide interest and captured the imaginations of some of the century's greatest figures in the fields of art, literature, and science. Goethe, Constable, and Coleridge were among those who came to revere Howard's vision of an aerial landscape. Legitimized by the elevation of this new classification and nomenclature, meteorology fast became a respectable science.

Although his work is still the basis of modern meteorology, Luke Howard himself has long been overlooked. Part history of science, part cultural excavation, The Invention of Clouds is a detailed and informative examination of Howard's life and achievements and introduces a new audience to the language of the skies.

First line

IT MIGHT SEEM DIFFICULT to imagine now, in this era of cool detachment, but in the opening years of the nineteenth century people cheered loudly at lectures.

Details

  • Title The Invention of Clouds: How an Amateur Meteorologist Forged the Language of the Skies
  • Author Richard Hamblyn
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition First Edition
  • Pages 256
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Picador USA, New York
  • Publication date 2002-08-03
  • Illustrated Yes
  • Features Bibliography, Illustrated, Index, Table of Contents
  • ISBN 9780312420017 / 0312420013
  • Weight 0.85 lbs (0.39 kg)
  • Dimensions 8.55 x 5.56 x 0.71 in (21.72 x 14.12 x 1.80 cm)
  • Themes
    • Chronological Period: 19th Century
    • Cultural Region: British
  • Category Science
  • Library of Congress subjects Clouds, Meteorology - England - History - 19th
  • Library of Congress Catalogue Number 2002025152
  • Dewey Decimal Code B

About the author

Richard Hamblyn was born in 1965 and is a graduate of the universities of Essex and Cambridge, where he wrote a doctoral dissertation on the early history of geology in Britain. He lives and works in London.

Back to top↑

More Copies for Sale

Show all copies
The Invention of Clouds How an Amateur Meteorologist Forged the Language of the Skies
Stock photo: cover may vary

The Invention of Clouds How an Amateur Meteorologist Forged the Language of the Skies

by Richard Hamblyn

  • Used
  • Very good
  • Paperback
  • first
Condition
Very good
Edition
First edition thus.
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780312420017 / 0312420013
Quantity available
1
Seller
Biblio Pursuit
Biblio Top Seller
Item price
A$11.30A$8.48
Save A$2.82
A$7.05 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Picador, 2002. First edition thus. . Paperback. Very Good. Previous owner inscription--Else Fine! R2C
Add to wish list
Item price
A$11.30A$8.48
Save A$2.82
A$7.05 Delivery to USA
The Invention of Clouds : How an Amateur Meteorologist Forged the Language of the Skies
Stock photo: cover may vary

The Invention of Clouds : How an Amateur Meteorologist Forged the Language of the Skies

by Hamblyn, Richard

  • Used
Condition
Used
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780312420017 / 0312420013
Quantity available
1
Seller
Better World Books
Item price
A$11.94
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Picador. Used - Good. Pages intact with minimal writing/highlighting. The binding may be loose and creased. Dust jackets/supplements are not included. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$11.94
Free Delivery to USA
The Invention of Clouds: How an Amateur Meteorologist Forged the Language of the Skies
Stock photo: cover may vary

The Invention of Clouds: How an Amateur Meteorologist Forged the Language of the Skies

by Richard Hamblyn

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780312420017 / 0312420013
Quantity available
1
Seller
Inquiring Minds Bookstore
Item price
A$14.15
A$8.49 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Picador, August 2002. Trade Paperback. Used - Very Good.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$14.15
A$8.49 Delivery to USA
The Invention of Clouds : How an Amateur Meteorologist Forged the Language of the Skies

The Invention of Clouds : How an Amateur Meteorologist Forged the Language of the Skies

by Richard Hamblyn

  • Used
  • Good
  • Paperback
Condition
Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780312420017 / 0312420013
Quantity available
2
Seller
ThriftBooks
Biblio Top Seller
Item price
A$14.72
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Picador, 2002. Paperback. Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$14.72
Free Delivery to USA
The Invention of Clouds : How an Amateur Meteorologist Forged the Language of the Skies

The Invention of Clouds : How an Amateur Meteorologist Forged the Language of the Skies

by Richard Hamblyn

  • Used
  • Very good
  • Paperback
Condition
Very good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780312420017 / 0312420013
Quantity available
3
Seller
ThriftBooks
Biblio Top Seller
Item price
A$14.72
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Picador, 2002. Paperback. Very Good. Disclaimer:A copy that has been read, but remains in excellent condition. Pages are intact and are not marred by notes or highlighting, but may contain a neat previous owner name. The spine remains undamaged. At ThriftBooks, our motto is: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$14.72
Free Delivery to USA
The Invention of Clouds : How an Amateur Meteorologist Forged the Language of the Skies

The Invention of Clouds : How an Amateur Meteorologist Forged the Language of the Skies

by Richard Hamblyn

  • Used
  • Good
  • Paperback
Condition
Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780312420017 / 0312420013
Quantity available
1
Seller
ThriftBooks
Biblio Top Seller
Item price
A$14.72
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Picador, 2002. Paperback. Good. Disclaimer:A copy that has been read, but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact, and the cover is intact. The spine may show signs of wear. Pages can include limited notes and highlighting, and the copy can include previous owner inscriptions. An ex-library book and may have standard library stamps and/or stickers. At ThriftBooks, our motto is: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$14.72
Free Delivery to USA
The Invention of Clouds : How an Amateur Meteorologist Forged the Language of the Skies

The Invention of Clouds : How an Amateur Meteorologist Forged the Language of the Skies

by Richard Hamblyn

  • Used
  • as new
  • Paperback
Condition
New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780312420017 / 0312420013
Quantity available
1
Seller
ThriftBooks
Biblio Top Seller
Item price
A$14.72
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Picador, 2002. Paperback. As New. Disclaimer:An apparently unread copy in perfect condition. Dust cover is intact; pages are clean and are not marred by notes or folds of any kind. At ThriftBooks, our motto is: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$14.72
Free Delivery to USA
The Invention of Clouds : How an Amateur Meteorologist Forged the Language of the Skies

The Invention of Clouds : How an Amateur Meteorologist Forged the Language of the Skies

by Richard Hamblyn

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
Condition
Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780312420017 / 0312420013
Quantity available
1
Seller
ThriftBooks
Biblio Top Seller
Item price
A$14.72
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Picador, 2002. Paperback. Acceptable. Disclaimer:Former library book; Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$14.72
Free Delivery to USA
The Invention Of Clouds
Stock photo: cover may vary

The Invention Of Clouds

by Hamblyn, Richard,

  • Used
Condition
New
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780312420017 / 0312420013
Quantity available
5
Seller
GreatBookPrices
Item price
A$18.09
A$5.66 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
like new.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$18.09
A$5.66 Delivery to USA

The Invention of Clouds How an Amateur Meteorologist Forged the Language of the Skies

Richard Hamblyn

We're sorry, this copy is no longer available.
Show all copies
Back to top↑

Please wait a moment while we load the requested page.