The Cloud Book- How to Understand the Skies by Richard Hamblyn

We often see clouds in the skies, but how many of us really understand them or what they mean? And why can clouds be so different? This book explores the clouds themselves, and also explains their ranking, and the meaning of the phrase "On top of Cloud Nine", and why it is so wonderful to be in that place.

Clouds are broken down into three main types: Low Clouds, Medium Clouds and High Clouds. Depending where those clouds are in the Sky determines their cloud number, from Zero to Nine. So, as you can see, someone who is "On top of Cloud Nine" would be very high up and enjoy the most superior position over the earth, and thus, presumably, be happiest.

This book doesn't just describe the clouds it talks about, but is filled with many, many pictures of not only the main types of clouds: Cumulus, Stratus, and Cirrus, but also has numerous pictures of each. After describing the main types of clouds, the book goes on to talk about other forms of clouds that are not broad categories, from mammatus clouds that look like breasts (Mammatus, from the latin word for breasts that also gives us the term mammaries and even Mammals), visual phenomenon like Sundogs, Moondogs, Rainbows, Irisation and Haloes, and other types of phenomenon you will see in the sky.

The book ends with a discussion of clouds and Global Warming, and how and why clouds, which might seem like they would cool the earth by blocking sunlight, actually contribute to its warming.

A fascinating book with many lovely pictures, this provides a visual guide and reference to the sky for interested skywatchers. Anyone interested in how clouds form in the sky and fascinated by the way they take shape and change throughout the day will find this book both enlightening and an invaluable resource in understanding what you see in the sky on a daily basis.

The book is both clearly written and is mostly pictures rather than text, providing clear images of the main types of clouds, accessory clouds and other sky phenomena. I really liked this book, and the beautiful pictures. though it's softcover and not very large, it almost falls into the category of a coffeetable book. The beautiful images are sure to inspire conversation, and a delving in between the covers.