Rating: 
Summary: Stunning Photographs. Readable, Informative Text.
Review: The first thing that anyone will notice upon opening "The Snowflake" is Patricia Rasmussen's incredible photographs. I am something of a snowflake enthusiast, and I have never seen such stunning photographs of snow before. There are over 100 exquisitely detailed photographs of snow crystals and snowflakes that will take your breath away. Fans of "The Snowflake Man", W. A. Bentley, will love this book. But it isn't just pretty pictures. The photographs illustrate a text by physicist Kenneth Libbrecht. Dr. Libbrecht is a snow crystal researcher, and his fluid prose successfully communicates the depth of knowledge and enthusiasm he has for his subject. "The Snowflake" has eight chapters, all of which are generously illustrated with photographs and most of which are short. The first seven chapters explain how and why snow crystals form the way they do, as well as the history of our understanding of snow. Libbrecht's text is detailed and technical, but it is very readable and easily understood by a lay person. And he moves onto the next topic before you have a chance to become bored by the particulars of the last. Chapter 8, which is by far the longest chapter at 32 pages, is a "Field Guide to Falling Snow". All types of snow crystal, both common and rare, are described and pictured so that the reader will be able to identify just about anything he/she might encounter falling from the winter sky. "The Snowflake" is a thoroughly enjoyable and genuinely inspiring book. Patricia Rasmussen's photographs are a testament to the extraordinary beauty that can be found is such a small natural wonder as a snowflake. And Kenneth Libbrecht's writing is sure to inspire many of his readers to abandon their cozy living rooms and head outside with a magnifying glass the next time it snows. I think that Dr. Libbrecht succeeds in the seemingly absurd task of making us understand why snow crystals are so fascinating that a person might dedicate his professional life to understanding them. "The Snowflake" is a great winter read, a lovely "coffee table" book, an informative scientific text for enthusiasts of all ages, and it might even cheer you up during the next snow storm. If your car is stuck, your walk needs shoveling, and you are tired of all that white stuff, a chapter of "The Snowflake" and an inexpensive magnifying glass will surely put things in a better light. Fans and practitioners of macro photography will also find this book irresistible.
Rating:
Summary: Stunning Photographs. Readable, Informative Text.
Review: The first thing that anyone will notice upon opening "The Snowflake" is Patricia Rasmussen's incredible photographs. I am something of a snowflake enthusiast, and I have never seen such stunning photographs of snow before. There are over 100 exquisitely detailed photographs of snow crystals and snowflakes that will take your breath away. Fans of "The Snowflake Man", W. A. Bentley, will love this book. But it isn't just pretty pictures. The photographs illustrate a text by physicist Kenneth Libbrecht. Dr. Libbrecht is a snow crystal researcher, and his fluid prose successfully communicates the depth of knowledge and enthusiasm he has for his subject. "The Snowflake" has eight chapters, all of which are generously illustrated with photographs and most of which are short. The first seven chapters explain how and why snow crystals form the way they do, as well as the history of our understanding of snow. Libbrecht's text is detailed and technical, but it is very readable and easily understood by a lay person. And he moves onto the next topic before you have a chance to become bored by the particulars of the last. Chapter 8, which is by far the longest chapter at 32 pages, is a "Field Guide to Falling Snow". All types of snow crystal, both common and rare, are described and pictured so that the reader will be able to identify just about anything he/she might encounter falling from the winter sky. "The Snowflake" is a thoroughly enjoyable and genuinely inspiring book. Patricia Rasmussen's photographs are a testament to the extraordinary beauty that can be found is such a small natural wonder as a snowflake. And Kenneth Libbrecht's writing is sure to inspire many of his readers to abandon their cozy living rooms and head outside with a magnifying glass the next time it snows. I think that Dr. Libbrecht succeeds in the seemingly absurd task of making us understand why snow crystals are so fascinating that a person might dedicate his professional life to understanding them. "The Snowflake" is a great winter read, a lovely "coffee table" book, an informative scientific text for enthusiasts of all ages, and it might even cheer you up during the next snow storm. If your car is stuck, your walk needs shoveling, and you are tired of all that white stuff, a chapter of "The Snowflake" and an inexpensive magnifying glass will surely put things in a better light. Fans and practitioners of macro photography will also find this book irresistible.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful and educational
Review: This is a beautiful book that also has solid informative content. It's a great bargain at the Amazon price. Everyone in my family enjoyed it thoroughly.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful and educational
Review: This is a terrific book. The photographs are spectacular and even inspiring. After mindlessly shoveling mounds of the stuff this book got me thinking about the incredible confluence of events that go into creating each snowflake.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic book
Review: What a wonderful book! I had what I would call
a passing interest in snowflakes -- until
I got this book. Since childhood I had heard that no
two snowflakes were alike. That was interesting.
Well wait until you read this book. Snowflakes
are not just interesting, they're fascinating!
The photographs are amazing.
Just stare at the photograph on page 37 for awhile
and you will be convinced. Look at the extraordinary
detail, the amazing complexity, and yet the perfect
symmetry. Each of the 6 "arms" are the same and yet
so complicated. And then look at a completely
different snowflake on page 50, for example.
Again the complexity with the symmetry is striking.
All arms very much the same but very different from
the 6 arms on the page 37 flake. How do they do that?
You'll have to read the book to find out. And the flakes
are not all about the arms. Stare at the central portion
of the snowflake on page 42 for example. Look
at the exquisite detail in there. To me it looks like 6 insects
feeding at a trough. Just amazing.
One of the most astounding facts to find out is that
you are probably part of each and every snowflake
pictured in the book! I'm talking about part of you
physically -- in every snowflake that falls to
the ground. That stood the hairs up on the back of my
neck. Although this is a great coffee table book,
it's also a book you're going to want to sit down and read.
It makes a great gift to take when you visit someone. Itmakes a great gift in general and a particularly good
one during the winter hoilday season. The quality is superb;
it's hard to believe they can sell it for such a low price.
And, oh, is it really true that no two snowflakes are alike?
We're talking billions and billions of flakes here.
Surely to goodness and mercy you can find two that
are alike. Well, you'll have to get the book to find out
the answer to that one. So far I've bought 14 of these gems
and I'll probably be getting more. I give this book the highest possible rating -- 5 stars!
|
