Among The Clouds is the fourth book by Eric Pinder that I have had the pleasure to review. And like his Life At The Top describes his adventures and routines at the Mt Washington Observatory in New Hampshire where he is one of the duty meteorologists.
This slim volume is filled with humor, which is a quality one must have when working at the home of the "World's Worst Weather" and a unique insight to the many hats one must wear when stationed at the Observatory. When I read this book, we were beginning a two-week period of extremely cold weather were temperatures bottomed near -40 degrees. After finishing Pinder's description of "a day in the life," I felt a bit sheepish, and a bit of a wimp, to be complaining about the cold and worrying only of water pipes. I did not have the stress of providing observations and forecasts to the media, caring for hikers and visitors, nor working outdoors in winds that could exceed 50 mph. Nor have I ever had to climb a tower during an approaching thunderstorm to secure an anemometer, a task which left Pinder the highest point in the State of New Hampshire!
Among The Clouds is an enjoyable read on a winter's day....or any other day. Eric's essays on Ben Franklin and the rather unique questions one has to field at the observatory were my favorites. Pinder loves to play with words and isn't against using a pun when the opportunity arises (as am I). While Among The Clouds is not a book that outwardly aims to teach you anything in particular, you come away from it learning some things you had not thought about.
If you are a fan of weather, Mt Washington or the outdoors, you will find Among The Clouds a most enjoyable read.
Among The Clouds by Eric Pinder,
Alpine Books, Berlin, New Hampshire, ISBN: 0615204597, soft cover, 99 pages.
Review written by Keith C. Heidorn, PhD, THE WEATHER DOCTOR,
December 31, 2008
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