Blame it on the rain : how the weather has changed history
(Book)

Lee explores "some of the moments when climate, weather patterns, and storms influenced the course of history." She asserts that "[h]uman society is shaped by the weather, impacts the weather, and then must adapt to these newly created patterns," and declares that "each one of us is only a small part in this complex and interdependent system." In her effort to connect weather with significant events in human history, Lee distinguishes between the meteorological and the geological as well as the local and the global. Consequently, the book does not discuss storms that affected particular regions and geological disasters. Focusing primarily on meteorological and historical events, the book is arranged chronologically from the age of the dinosaurs to the probable future. Although Lee offers a comprehensive bibliography, it might have been useful to include a theoretical analysis of the relationship between human history and meteorological phenomena for students and scholars in the social and physical sciences. For the general reader, the text provides a readable, interesting discussion of the impact of meteorological phenomena on events significant in human history. ^BSumming Up: Recommended. General readers. H. Doss Malcolm X College, City Colleges of Chicago

Lee performs in infotainment mode in this survey of climatic influence on human history. Ever ready with the arch aside, her comedic tendencies are, however, kept in proportion and do not swamp the factual aspect of the historical episodes she relates. Allotting herself about five pages per subject, Lee summarizes from extant literature a goodly number of battles won, lost, or postponed because of weather. That this factor has so often been fatefully decisive might be the strange-but-true spark that will inspire Lee's audience to take an interest in military history or in several technological catastrophes she raises. Lee is not confined to warfare, however: on offer are the meteorological backstories to the Stradivarius violin, the hymn Amazing Grace, the safety razor, and several political events, such as Harry Truman's presidential victory in 1948. With its varied content and populist flavor, Lee's historical jaunt has high browsing appeal. --Gilbert Taylor Copyright 2006 Booklist

In this series of sprightly essays Lee presents an intriguing look at how atmospheric conditions have affected a range of historical events, while acknowledging that other factors were important as well. Lee (100 Most Dangerous Things in Everyday Life) argues that, because of the weather's impact, we have less control over events than we think. She theorizes that Greek culture survived a Persian attack in the 480 B.C. battle of Salamis because of naval commander Thermistocles' excellent knowledge of wind currents. In another chapter, Lee vividly describes the 1415 battle of Agincourt, where England's Henry V pitted his exhausted and badly outnumbered army against the French as relentless rain turned the war arena into a mud field. Henry dispatched his archers to force the opposition onto the deadly battleground, where horses and riders collapsed, giving the young king a decisive victory. Elsewhere Lee recounts how in 1800 a storm flooded bridges and roads, disrupting a potential slave uprising in Virginia, while another torrential rainstorm finally delivered water to Civil War prisoners dying of thirst at the notorious prison camp, near Andersonville, Ga. Lee presents intriguing browsing items for history buffs. (Aug.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

Adult/High School-Much like the '80s breakup song with the same title, this book chronicles how bad weather has affected mankind, most notably in times of war. Starting with prehistoric man, each chapter chronicles a different event, from Noah's flood to missile launches during the Cold War, including the Wright brothers' first flight and the D-Day Invasion. Chapters may be read individually or collectively. Students will enjoy Lee's concise, conversational style and the quirky relationship she identifies between humans and the forces of nature.-Brigeen Radoicich, Fresno County Office of Education, CA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

A breezy, almanac-like entry in the well-worn meteorology-and-history genre. Lee starts out with an unpromising gods-for-clods and rocks-for-jocks survey approach to her subject, mistaking flippancy for humor and turning groaners along the lines of, "Siberia has cold like Bill Gates has money." There's not much science and precious little unexplored territory for many a desperate page; Lee strives to get a joke or pun in edgewise, evoking the spirit of Doug Adams, whom she identifies as a "humorist," perhaps unaware of his hard-science chops. In time, fortunately, Lee warms up to her subject and begins taking things a little more seriously, even forgoing a chance to joke about the English gully called Dead Man's Bottom in an enlightening discussion of fog, the Wars of the Roses and the many excuses people have for killing each other, friend as well as foe. Even so, Lee skims the surface, delivering numerous vignettes that seldom give more than a taste of an always fascinating subject. What would have happened if the Greeks had not known of the winds off Salamis? What if the weather hadn't been rotten on Election Day 1948? Lee's miniature essays hint rather than explicate, sometimes (as in the matter of the Bering land-bridge theory) drawing on out-of-date references; some of the pieces are only very incidentally about the weather, although they're pleasant enough to read. The book shines at a few points, though: The author's account of the Confederate prison camp usually referred to as Andersonville sheds Hippocratean light on that ugly business, while her recounting of the Winter War fought between Finland and the Soviet Union shows how for want of a glove a kingdom can be lost. Mostly superficial bathroom reading for weather-trivia buffs. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Lee performs in infotainment mode in this survey of climatic influence on human history. Ever ready with the arch aside, her comedic tendencies are, however, kept in proportion and do not swamp the factual aspect of the historical episodes she relates. Allotting herself about five pages per subject, Lee summarizes from extant literature a goodly number of battles won, lost, or postponed because of weather. That this factor has so often been fatefully decisive might be the strange-but-true spark that will inspire Lee's audience to take an interest in military history or in several technological catastrophes she raises. Lee is not confined to warfare, however: on offer are the meteorological backstories to the Stradivarius violin, the hymn "Amazing Grace," the safety razor, and several political events, such as Harry Truman's presidential victory in 1948. With its varied content and populist flavor, Lee's historical jaunt has high browsing appeal. ((Reviewed July 2006)) Copyright 2006 Booklist Reviews.

In this series of sprightly essays Lee presents an intriguing look at how atmospheric conditions have affected a range of historical events, while acknowledging that other factors were important as well. Lee (100 Most Dangerous Things in Everyday Life ) argues that, because of the weather's impact, we have less control over events than we think. She theorizes that Greek culture survived a Persian attack in the 480 B.C. battle of Salamis because of naval commander Thermistocles' excellent knowledge of wind currents. In another chapter, Lee vividly describes the 1415 battle of Agincourt, where England's Henry V pitted his exhausted and badly outnumbered army against the French as relentless rain turned the war arena into a mud field. Henry dispatched his archers to force the opposition onto the deadly battleground, where horses and riders collapsed, giving the young king a decisive victory. Elsewhere Lee recounts how in 1800 a storm flooded bridges and roads, disrupting a potential slave uprising in Virginia, while another torrential rainstorm finally delivered water to Civil War prisoners dying of thirst at the notorious prison camp, near Andersonville, Ga. Lee presents intriguing browsing items for history buffs. (Aug.)

Adult/High School Much like the '80s breakup song with the same title, this book chronicles how bad weather has affected mankind, most notably in times of war. Starting with prehistoric man, each chapter chronicles a different event, from Noah's flood to missile launches during the Cold War, including the Wright brothers' first flight and the D-Day Invasion. Chapters may be read individually or collectively. Students will enjoy Lee's concise, conversational style and the quirky relationship she identifies between humans and the forces of nature. Brigeen Radoicich, Fresno County Office of Education, CA