{"product_id":"the-breath-of-the-gods-the-history-and-future-of-the-wind-9780063374454","title":"The Breath of the Gods: The History and Future of the Wind","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/em\u003e bestselling author Simon Winchester returns with a thought-provoking history of the wind, written in his edifying and entertaining style.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhat is going on with our atmosphere? The headlines are filled with news of devastating hurricanes, murderous tornadoes, and cataclysmic fires affecting large swaths of America. Gale force advisories are issued on a regular basis by the National Weather Service.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn 2022, a report was released by atmospheric scientists at the University of Northern Illinois, warning that winds--the force at the center of all these dangerous natural events--are expected to steadily increase in the years ahead, strengthening in power, speed, and frequency.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhile this prediction worried the insurance industry, governmental leaders, scientists, and conscientious citizens, one particular segment of society received it with unbridled enthusiasm. To the energy industry, rising wind strength and speeds as an unalloyed boon for humankind--a vital source of clean and \"safe\" power.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBetween these two poles--wind as a malevolent force, and wind as savior of our planet--lies a world of fascination, history, literature, science, poetry, and engineering which Simon Winchester explores with the curiosity and vigor that are the hallmarks of his bestselling works. In \u003cem\u003eThe Breath of the Gods\u003c\/em\u003e, he explains how wind plays a part in our everyday lives, from airplane or car travel to the \"natural disasters\" that are becoming more frequent and regular.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Breath of the Gods\u003c\/em\u003e is an urgently-needed portrait across time of that unseen force--unseen but not unfelt--that respects no national borders and no vessel or structure in its path. Wind, the movement of the air, is seen by so many as a heavenly creation and generally a thing of essential goodness. But when it flexes its invisible muscles, all should take care and be very afraid.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eWinchester, Simon:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSimon Winchester\u003c\/strong\u003e is the acclaimed author of many books, including \u003cem\u003eThe Professor and the Madman, The Men Who United the States, The Map That Changed the World, The Man Who Loved China, A Crack in the Edge of the World, \u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eKrakatoa, \u003c\/em\u003e all of which were \u003cem\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/em\u003e bestsellers and appeared on numerous best and notable lists. In 2006, Winchester was made an officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Her Majesty the Queen. He resides in western Massachusetts.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Harper","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51721024766226,"sku":"9780063374454","price":25.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_a53b934c-4427-4974-ace2-cb96fae0d948.jpg?v=1762947197","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/the-breath-of-the-gods-the-history-and-future-of-the-wind-9780063374454","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}