The Snowflake

Kenneth Libbrecht will teach you more about snowflakes than you ever guessed there was to know about them. This used copy is temporary for me till I get my original copy back from Alaskan storage. I originally bought it because in our homeschooling we were doing winter nature walks and reading children's books about Wilson Bentley (incidentally, I think the wrong one is still in print). We bought a Dover paperback of his photographs for the historic element and then to see modern quality (and also see how our technological ability has changed over the years) we bought this one. I didn't expect that when I bought it I would read it cover to cover, but I did... snowflakes have been around me my entire life and certainly I looked at them under magnifying glasses and marveled at their diversity but never gave them a thought beyond that. Needless to say, I don't look at snow the same way anymore. :)

Well written, with unparalleled photos of snow crystals. The book contains accurate physics, nice insights into snow crystal morphology and growth and is at a level that will engage almost everyone. Enough information here for a physicist to enjoy the book, but presented in a way that will not intimidate the layman. Just gazing at the pictures of the snowflakes will inspire wonder at the beauty of these little ephemeral creations, and is an antidote for frazzled nerves any time of the day, in any season. I've bought several to give away and one for myself, and it probably won't be the last one.The reviewer below who thought the author doesn't give enough credit to God for the amazing design of the snowflake, may be a little too demanding. Perhaps the author thought the little crystals speak for themselves, and lets the reader draw his own conclusions. I can't look at these beautiful pictures without marveling at a God who is so creative He doesn't "know when to quit"!

Caltech physics professor Kenneth Libbrecht and photographer Patricia Rasmussen have put together a beautiful dissertation on the awesome formation and science behind snowflake formation--as much as is currently known, that is--there is still much to be deciphered in one of Nature's most beautiful and mysterious creations, but the basics are all here and depicted in beautiful detail along with easy to understand science. No two snow crystals are alike, but there are a multitude of basic design categories indexed.This book is book in a coffee-table format and the many photos are top quality and breathtaking.Libbrecht has also published a small photo catalog of over 140 beautiful snow crystals ("The Little Book of Snowflakes") in stunning detail and this makes a great companion book. Libbrecht's website has much more snowflake info (snowcrystals.com).

If you've evered wondered about the why's and what's and how's about snowflakes, this is the book you are looking for. The author, Kenneth Libbrecht, is chairman of the Physics Department at Cal Tech and has done some professional work studying snowflakes. In this book, he has made the beauty and the mystery of the snowflakes accessible to all. This book is a discussion of the physics of the snowflake, history of research into snowflakes, the morphology of the different types of snowflakes. In short, you'll learn how snowflakes are formed, why they have such a wide range of shapes, and what shapes they can take. There are hundreds of beautiful photographs in this book as well (some of the other reviewers discuss the photos at length and I would agree with their assessment). This is a popular, not technical, book and anyone with an interest in science can read and enjoy it. You certainly don't need an advanced degree in physics. After reading this inspiring book and newly armed with a bit of knowledge, you'll want to dash outside in the next snowstorm to examine one of God's most beautiful creations. At less than $15 for a beautiful hardback, this book will appeal to both the scientists and the artists, and is a steal. After reading through this book, I suspect that you'll view the next snowstorm in a new light.

This handsome book should motivate the reader to appreciate -- perhaps even delight in -- every snowfall. The photos are superb; they are often curiously interesting and always a visual feast. Libbrecht provides an easy to understand description of the formation of snow crystals (not all of them are flakes, he points out.) The book will encourage some readers to want more, and Libbrecht provides a companion volume -- a Field Guide -- for that purpose. This is more than a mere coffee-table volume. Libbrecht makes the physics behind the snow crystals not only understandable, but charming. Libbrecht uses clear prose without "dumbing down" the science. Now, if Libbrecht will only produce another volume with 3D or stereo views...!

This book has the most amazing photography of snowflakes you will ever see. It goes into discussing the different formations and would be a fantastic resource for a child to understand and explore snowflakes. It is written at an adult level. I can see a child using this book to write a paper about snowflakes in grade school. Also would be a great was to inspire a child in science. A great book to create a wonderful parent-child afternoon together every time it snows.The book was in excellent condition as described by the seller. I would certainly be willing to buy from this seller anytime.

I love this photographic essay of the beautiful architecture of nature that is forever changing and always individualistic.

I love this book about snowflakes. This was a second hand book and it was good.

Love the book. bought it as a gift for my sister. It arrived in such bad shape I won't give it ...........won't do this again

Beautiful pictures and this book creates many sparks of wonder for my students!

liebevoll gestaltetes Buch das einem die Fascination derSchneeflocke (Kristall) vor Augen führt!Da aus Übersee , etwas längere Lieferzeit, was nicht zu ändern ist.

Pictures are beautiful! However, the book has writing in the front cover that I was not made aware of prior to purchase.

英語で書かれているので、内容はよくわかりませんが、雪の結晶の写真をじっくり眺めて神秘の世界に浸れます。お値段もプチプライスなのが良いです。