Pretor-Pinney, Gavin 1970(?)-

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Pretor-Pinney, Gavin 1970(?)-

PERSONAL:

Born c. 1970; companion's name Liz; children: Flora Cirrus. Education: Graduate of the Westminster School, Oxford University, and Central St. Martins, London, England.

ADDRESSES:

Office—The Cloud Appreciation Society, 48 Lothrop St., London W10 4JD, England. E-mail—[email protected].

CAREER:

Journalist, writer, and designer. Cloud Appreciation Society, London, England, founder and chairman; founder of Idler magazine.

WRITINGS:

The Cloudspotter's Guide, Hodder & Stoughton (London, England), 2006, published as The Cloudspotter's Guide: The Science, History, and Culture of Clouds, chapter illustrations by Bill Sanderson, Perigee Book (New York, NY), 2006.

SIDELIGHTS:

In his first book, published in the United States as The Cloudspotter's Guide: The Science, History, and Culture of Clouds, Gavin Pretor-Pinney, founder of the Cloud Appreciation Society, provides an in-depth look at clouds. He covers topics such as the ten fundamental kinds of clouds (including their subtypes) and how to distinguish them. He also provides a lesson on how clouds form and the various weather patterns associated with clouds. In the book, which an Economist contributor referred to as "a fondly compiled compendium of the nebulous world's facts and fancies," the author discusses clouds in literature and religion and how they have influenced historic battles. The book's final chapter tells of the author's trip to Australia to view the "Morning Glory," a spectacular cloud that can cover 600 miles and is a favorite among serious cloud watchers. Although several reviewers commented that better, full-color photographs would have enhanced the book, The Cloudspotter's Guide generally was praised by the critics. Noting that "the book covers the subject in a most inviting manner," Stanley David Gedzelman also wrote in Weatherwise: "Its rambling quality adds to the book's charm and value." A Kirkus Reviews contributor called The Cloudspotter's Guide "lively, literate and great fun to read."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Barron's, October 2, 2006, Jay Palmer, review of The Cloudspotter's Guide: The Science, History, and Culture of Clouds, p. 40.

Bookseller, May 12, 2006, "Ron Johns: The Managing Director of Mabecron Books, Which Comprises Three Bookshops—in St. Ives, Falmouth and Plymouth—Has Been Looking to the Skies This Month," review of The Cloudspotter's Guide, p. 22; July 7, 2006, "Finding a Silver Lining: Gavin Pretor-Pinney's Niche Hit Is Growing in Strength and on Cloud Nine Again," p. 15.

Choice, March, 2007, A.E. Staver, review of The Cloudspotter's Guide, p. 1205.

Economist, May 27, 2006, "Radiantly Cloudy; Meteorology," p. 81.

Guardian (London, England), June 1, 2006, John Harris, "Flying High," interview with author.

Kirkus Reviews, April 1, 2006, review of The Cloudspotter's Guide, p. 338.

New Scientist, June 3, 2006, "More Than Fluff," p. 56.

New Statesman, March 19, 2007, Kylie Walker, "The Sky's the Limit," review of The Cloudspotter's Guide, p. 59.

New York Times Book Review, June 11, 2006, Joe Queenan, "Sratus Seeker," review of The Cloudspotter's Guide.

Science News, June 24, 2006, review of The Cloudspotter's Guide, p. 399.

Telegraph (London, England), May 14, 2006, Toby Clements, review of The Cloudspotter's Guide.

Washington Post, August 27, 2006, Joe Heim, review of The Cloudspotter's Guide, p. M01.

Weatherwise, September-October, 2006, Stanley David Gedzelman, review of The Cloudspotter's Guide, p. 60.