Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.

Start by marking “Snow: A Scientific and Cultural Exploration” as Want to Read:

Other editions

Enlarge cover

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Open Preview

Snow: A Scientific and Cultural Exploration

Giles Whittell

3.74 · Rating details · 111 ratings · 30 reviews

Brimming with interesting facts and surprising anecdotes, this scientific and cultural history opens our eyes to the wonders of one of nature’s most delicate, delightful, and deadly phenomena: SNOW! Perfect for fans of The Hidden Life of Trees and Rain.

Go on an extraordinary journey across centuries and continents to experience the wonders of snow; from the prehistoric hum ...more

Get A Copy

Hardcover, 256 pages

Published November 19th 2019 by Atria Books

More Details... Edit Details

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about Snow, please sign up.

Be the first to ask a question about Snow

Lists with This Book

The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin

Winter, snow & cold

53 books — 8 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

Showing 1-30

Average rating 3.74 ·

Rating details

· 111 ratings · 30 reviews

More filters

Sort order

Start your review of Snow: A Scientific and Cultural Exploration

Oct 30, 2019 Thomas rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: science, netgalley

4 stars for an interesting, informative read.
This eBook is full of interesting facts and figures about snow--such as moisture content, how much snow falls in a year, why all snowflakes are unique and much more. If you are a science/nature fan, you will love this book.. There is a whole chapter devoted to skiing and to the scene of James Bond skiing off a mountain in "The Spy Who Loved Me."
The scene was filmed with an amateur skier who had skied off El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. So there ...more

flag 87 likes · Like · see review

Oct 30, 2019 Thomas rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: netgalley, science

flag 35 likes · Like · see review

Dec 22, 2019 Bandit rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Well, it’s fair to say by now that White Christmas is going to remain in the land of dreaming where I live and since I do tend to live through books, reading about snow seemed like the next best thing. This book title promises scientific and cultural takes on snow and delivers both. Ok, the scientific one was ever so slightly too detailed, but the rest was just great. From avalanches to Yetis (oh hey, that would be a nice tagline too), this book covers the subject as thoroughly as…well, a solid Well, it’s fair to say by now that White Christmas is going to remain in the land of dreaming where I live and since I do tend to live through books, reading about snow seemed like the next best thing. This book title promises scientific and cultural takes on snow and delivers both. Ok, the scientific one was ever so slightly too detailed, but the rest was just great. From avalanches to Yetis (oh hey, that would be a nice tagline too), this book covers the subject as thoroughly as…well, a solid cover of snow. The author has traveled extensively and the book has a global span and also an extensive historical one. Whittell is thorough too, from snow in art to snow in the Arctic, from people whose life is built around it to people who get buried in it, this book pretty much has all the snow related information you can think of and then some. I’ve learned some new things and was delighted to revisit things I knew. This is the kind of nonfiction I enjoy, it’s informative and engaging equally. Learning should be enjoyable and Whittell’s clever, erudite, dynamic writing ensures that. The man knows his subject and knows how to make it exciting for others to learn about. The narrative moves along with a professional skier’s agility, it doesn’t get dragged down by excessive footnotes or tedious asides. It’s just fun to read, playing in the snow level of fun to read. There are terrific historical snow related facts, some disturbing, some amusing, all very interesting to learn about. And snow is disappearing too, another victim of global warming, less and less snowstorms every decade, less and less chance of snowpocalypse (or all of its fun synonyms author provides). Sad to think. I’m not even that much of a snow person, it isn’t really the same in the city, it turns into a mess or obstacles or both all too quickly. And yet there were times when sitting in my apartment looking out through a fairly large window onto the world when it snows was just like being inside of a lovely snow globe, something magical, almost fairytale like about it and the world doesn’t have that much magic to spare so yes, snow will be missed. This year thus far of snow there’s just been a few quickly dissipating flake. And this book. And a newly acquired knowledge of the atmospheric conditions required for snow. Because it’s just good to know things. So if you’ve got no place to go…let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. Great book. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley. ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Nov 18, 2019 Renee (The B-Roll) rated it liked it

Thank you Atria Books for providing me a free e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review! When I saw this book available I was so excited because as a weather lover and armchair meteorologist (hey, when I started university, meteorology was my first major!) at heart I have a fondness for anything that relates to weather or that can teach me. And of course, I LOVE snow, perhaps too much and it was never something that I thought about scientifically or culturally.

This book is divided Thank you Atria Books for providing me a free e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review! When I saw this book available I was so excited because as a weather lover and armchair meteorologist (hey, when I started university, meteorology was my first major!) at heart I have a fondness for anything that relates to weather or that can teach me. And of course, I LOVE snow, perhaps too much and it was never something that I thought about scientifically or culturally.

This book is divided into several chapters, each focusing on a specific subject or topic as it relates to snow. This book covers so much in the way of snow, snow use, snow creation, the science behind snow, fake snow, and major snow events in history.

I will admit, I wasn't sure impressed with this book by the time I got about 3/4 of the way through, mainly because it really seems to shift from being a book about snow to a book about skiing. As a person who has never skied, and probably will never, I didn't really find much interest in these parts. It becomes clear that the author, Giles Whittell is an avid skier and loves the past time/sport as he gives pages and pages detailing major skiing history, significant figures, stats and records, the science of skiing, and the best places to ski. This makes sense, and I don't fault the author of this book at all but I wish that this had been made more clear on the title, perhaps in the subtitle. If skiing is your passion or interest, this would probably be a great book for you.

While I did enjoy the overall discussion of snow and the mechanics and science that has to happen for it to occur, I really enjoyed the author's take on climate change and how he seems to inject his beliefs into this book each chance he gets. He seems to obviously believe that climate change is real (duh!) and makes it his job in this book to add bits of the scientific proof and gives varying viewpoints of scientists on climate change and how it will affect the climate if it already isn't. It is also nice to read a current book that has stats and information from literally last year, versus something that is dated.

This book really brings it back home, the magic that snow is and what has to align perfectly to make it happen. I have always loved the fluffy white stuff and I can not appreciate even more when it does snow. There is something so magical about it and now know a little about what goes into making those ice crystals make it even better for me.

I certainly love a good book about weather phenomena; last year I read a book about rain that was also cultural and scientific history and loved it. I was really hoping that this book would be the same or similar to that book, but it didn't fully deliver as much as I had hoped. As noted earlier, there was a distinct place where the book really shifted towards skiing. There didn't seem to be as much on the science and culture of snow as I had hoped, but instead, it focused on the skiing and winter sports cultures. While not 100% for me, this book could definitely be right up someone else's alley. Again, thank you Atria Books for providing me with an e-ARC; it was a pleasure to read! ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Feb 08, 2020 Claudia rated it really liked it

Shelves: y2020, z2020-nf-challenge, weather

It seems odd that I read a book on snow while the area was getting one of the more significant snowfalls of the season.

Anyway, this is a fast-paced and detailed book that is available to any reader. Although the author does go into the physics of snow creation with all its variations along with the scientists who made those discoveries. Admitted snow addict, Giles Whittell then goes into quite the variety of subjects that could be associated not only with snow itself but those that interact wit It seems odd that I read a book on snow while the area was getting one of the more significant snowfalls of the season.

Anyway, this is a fast-paced and detailed book that is available to any reader. Although the author does go into the physics of snow creation with all its variations along with the scientists who made those discoveries. Admitted snow addict, Giles Whittell then goes into quite the variety of subjects that could be associated not only with snow itself but those that interact with it regularly.

The evolution of arctic creatures ike polar bears.
Humans and snow and migration/colonization/adaptation. Along with the myth of the Eskimo people having 500 different words for snow. Yea, well, it's a myth. They don't just add the same "snow" word to each description like English uses snowfall, snowflake, snowshoe and more.
Painters and snow - seemed like few liked to paint snow scenes or at least the 'great masters' didn't.
Notable snowfalls in England and the meteorology that causes more or less snow for Britain and parts of Europe.
The science of avalanches.
Extreme stunts - he specifically talked with Rick Sylvester about the stunt from The Spy Who Loved Me.
Mountain glacier loss across the world's mountains.
Sochi Russia's Olympic snow.
Snow clearing machinery used at airports. (it's impressive)
The billionaire communities in ski resorts as well as snow making equipment and the pricey skis available.
Dangerous downhill locations, the Freewide World Tour and Evan Parent following the snow.

And it ends with climate change and the future of snow. Even with climatic change and temperature rise, the future currently looks good for snowfalls. As lakes and seas stay clear of ice for longer periods of time during winter, cold fronts moving across them can pick up more moisture which means more ferocious storms with high snowfall amounts over shorter periods of time.

At no time did I get bored with any topic that Whittell touched on since he wrote not only his personal experiences but each chapter averaged 14 pages so he was packing alot of information into each one.

Perhaps reading this book during winter when any yearning of snow can be appeased by going outside and playing. Making a snowman. Or even finding a nearby ski lodge and strap on a set of skis - downhill or cross-country. . . .

2020-028 ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Nov 28, 2020 Debra rated it really liked it

Shelves: audiobooks, science, history

Narrated by MaryBeth Wise, and acquired by the National Library for the Blind and Print Disabled's BARD app.

Let me just say that despite living in NYS's Mohawk Valley, I TRULY HATE SNOW! That means that I am just out of luck every winter.

Nonetheless, this fascinating book about the science and folklore (Yeti, anyone?) surrounding snow kept my interest. But I still don't want to see any flakes! ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Jun 27, 2020 Cathy rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2020-books

As a Buffalo, New York resident and snow lover, I was excited to read this copy of Snow by Giles Whittell. The book is front-loaded with a lot of technical information about the composition and behavior of snow. If you are a weather nerd (like me) you will especially enjoy this portion, if not, keep plowing through. The rest of the book is full of story-telling and anecdotes about avalanches, James Bond, the development of ski technology and more. You’ll learn about glacier melt and global warmi ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Aug 25, 2019 Casey Wheeler rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: history, net-galley, nonfiction, goodreads, science, discovery

As indicated by the title this book is all about snow. The author has an obvious love and passion for the subject. Over the course of the book he addresses the different types of snow, records and events in different parts of the world and the consequences of not being prepared or ignoring warning signs when it comes to snow and its impact on the envioronment.

I recommend this book ffor those who have an interest in snow and are looking for an informative and engaging read on the subject..

I recei ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Nov 18, 2020 Fenne rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2020, g-non-fiction, 3-stars

I really enjoyed the cuteness and it being about snow, but it was a little dull sometime

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Sep 05, 2019 Samantha rated it it was amazing

It’s not difficult to find nonfiction that is well written in the sense that the book is impeccably researched and immensely knowledgeable. What’s much harder to find is nonfiction that reads well; Not just for those who are highly interested in/knowledgeable about a given topic, but also for those who might be dabbling hobbyists or just intellectually curious.

Whittell’s book on snow is an excellent example of one of those rare instances in nonfiction where the author writes so compellingly tha ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Sep 24, 2019 Lynn rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

"This scientific and cultural history opens our eyes to the wonders of one of nature's most delicate, delightful and deadly phenomena". The beauty of snow. The density of snow. The uniqueness of each snowflake and why this is so. The many Eskimo words for snow [snow on the ground, falling snow, drifting snow, snow drift, fine snow, deep snow, snow floating on water].

Tribiology is the study of friction, and, when humans discovered the slipperiness of snow, all kinds of things began to happen. Th ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Mar 05, 2019 Peter rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This book was very much a follow up to my previous book, The Snow Tourist. The writer Giles Whittell is chief leader writer for The Times so appropriately there was a lot more facts and researched has gone into this book. The personal and family touches were of added interest. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and learnt many things I didn't know about snow and snowfall. An interesting and informative book. ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Nov 03, 2019 Kim rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley

Though much of the world’s population lives in areas that do not receive much, if any, natural snow, the human race has an obsession with the white stuff. We like to slide down it on skis and sleds. We rely upon it for water to drink and to irrigate our crops. We enjoy pictures of snow and the idea of it coating our homes in fluffy white in time for the holidays. But the science of snow– how it forms, why it is slippery, and even why no two snowflakes are ever identical– is not something we gene Though much of the world’s population lives in areas that do not receive much, if any, natural snow, the human race has an obsession with the white stuff. We like to slide down it on skis and sleds. We rely upon it for water to drink and to irrigate our crops. We enjoy pictures of snow and the idea of it coating our homes in fluffy white in time for the holidays. But the science of snow– how it forms, why it is slippery, and even why no two snowflakes are ever identical– is not something we generally think about. In his new book Snow: A Scientific and Cultural Exploration, self-proclaimed snow addict Giles Whittell sets out to investigate the riddle of snow’s slipperiness, its uniqueness (both in the shape of its snowflakes and as a general phenomenon in space), and to investigate where in the world gets the most snow every year. Along the way, he discusses the greatest possible amount of snow that could fall in a single day, the notion that the worst snowstorm ever could still be ahead of us, and the future of snow in an era of climate change.

It would be easy to take a subject like snowflake formation and explain in dry terms rife with scientific jargon. It would also be easy to drone on and on about the worst snowstorms in recorded history, turning a series of disasters into a rambling list of dates and places that go in one ear and out the other. Or a passionate writer could blast the reader with the intensity of their love of the subject, turning away all but the most passionate readers. But like any good science writer, Whittell doesn’t let his passion for the subject override his sense and intrude on a good story. The tale of a freak snowstorm in the French Alps is the background for a story of millionaires complaining about the lack of good wine in the middle of a natural disaster. Explanations of the causes of avalanches are interspersed with the human cost of being caught in the midst them.

That’s not to say that Whittell skimps on information about snow in its many forms. The science of snow abounds but is balanced out by human stories that emphasize science. We learn how shifting air pressure systems from the Azores to Iceland affect winter train schedules in England, why Europe’s Alps have nothing on the Sierra Nevada range in California in terms of yearly snowfall, or why a mountain in Costa Rica might beat them all from year to year. All of these stories are told with straightforward prose that knows how to have a bit of fun.

“If rain is a rushed and irritable waiter nearing the end of his shift, an overnight fall of fern-like stellar dendrites is a stealth team of metteurs-en-scene who spread out through the banquet hall with dishes under silver domes which they remove with an understated flourish, whispering as one, ‘voilà!'”

Whittell also gives us a look at the lifestyles of the rich and famous, at least where they intersect with snow. There is the story of the Winter Olympics in Sochi that were nearly a disaster when snow failed to fall in area known more for its palm trees, and the cringe-worthy story of massive amounts of money flung at cable-car projects that would allow tourists to arrive in style at a few European ski resorts.

Sadly, though, Snow is not all about fun, games, and fluffy snowflakes. Whittell also speaks with meteorologists and climatologists regarding the future of snow itself, and the news isn’t good. Though warming air helps to create massive snowstorms, eventually that effect will end. The lower levels of the atmosphere will grow too warm for water to remain frozen, and our winter snows will turn to winter rains. If the effects of climate change are not stopped, we could all end up only dreaming of a white Christmas forevermore.

The sum total of Snow, though, is a celebration of this common but little understood phenomenon. While many dread the onset of winter, snow is a precious thing that is getting rarer, so if you live in a place lucky enough to see regular snowfall, Whittell’s advice is this: put on your coat, gloves, and hat, and then head outside to make the most of this delightful– if chilly– by-product of living on this marvelous planet.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with a free ebook in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion. ...more

flag Like · see review

Jan 06, 2020 Tonstant Weader rated it really liked it

Snow was always of paramount importance while growing up in northern Minnesota. Walking out to the main road to put the flag out for the snow plow could be easy or difficult depending on the quality of the snow. Fine powdery snow was fun, though I would get soaking wet. Meanwhile if there were a hard surface on top of the snow so each step had a hitch when breaking through, that was about as hard as it would get. We didn’t have fifty words for snow, but the different qualities mattered. It was t ...more

flag Like · see review

Nov 27, 2019 Nathan rated it really liked it

From an author who, if the zeal reflected in his prose is the sole indicator, deserves to author a book about the subject.

Switching from explorations on how it forms, enthralls, delays, surprises and incorporates into our lives (not to mention how it kills via avalanche), Whittell wishes to tell us just about everything we can fit into a book about snow, save for photographs (although the history of those are even mentioned). Just exactly why are no two flakes the same? Is it snowing less or mo ...more

flag Like · see review

Dec 10, 2020 Terzah rated it really liked it

This wonderful account of snow and our human life with it was a breath of frosty air after a summer of fires here in Colorado. A friend of mine once said that he believes one reason too many people are lackadaisical about climate change is that too many people don't like COLD. Reading this book might help rectify that attitude. And those who need no convincing to love snow and cold and the culture that human beings have built around them and fear their loss on a warming planet will enjoy Whittel ...more

flag Like · see review

Nov 18, 2019 RMazin rated it it was amazing

Since childhood snow has held a great fascination for the author Giles Whittell. Luckily, for readers, this love of snow has never left him. Coupled with Whittell’s keen writing abilities, sense of humor, and journalistic investigative skills, I enjoyed facts previously ignored or unknown by me. There is the physics of snow, avalanches, history of epic snowfalls, snow gear and machines, ski resorts and races, and even the story behind that iconic James Bond opening. Each chapter opens up another ...more

flag Like · see review

Oct 22, 2020 Daniel Sim rated it it was ok · review of another edition

The writing was a bit chaotic and the ideas didn't seem to have a good flow between chapters. I did appreciate however, the good amount of information which was packed into this book. Some more diagrams would have been appreciated to explain the direction of winds and moisture in geographical locations where it snows. Having to stop and search some of the more local spots and then chart out how the atmosphere was churning to cause the discussed results was a bit of a roadblock in continuing the ...more

flag Like · see review

Jan 30, 2021 Marcy Graybill rated it it was ok

Giles definitely describes the science of snow, it's very interesting and somewhat technical a bit of a slog.
Sadly the cultural exploration is mostly the history of the highest snow falls, some information on avalanches and a lot about skiing. I was expecting information on cultures who live with snow most of the year. How they cope, what they do in/with the snow, how the rely on snow. But really the author just discussed skiing, the history of skis, extreme stunts in skiing and his own persona ...more

flag Like · see review

Sep 16, 2019 Steve rated it really liked it

Shelves: reviewed

Grew up in Canada and didn’t know all this about snow

I enjoyed this book. Giles Whittell writes with a conversational tone and with a good sense of humor. The book is a broad discussion of snow including science (that never gets technical) and sports. This close look at snow turns the mundane or even the troublesome into a fascinating phenomenon of nature. I will try to remember this next winter.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley for review purposes.

flag Like · see review

Oct 07, 2019 Cindy Lauren rated it it was amazing

Snow: love it for its beauty, hate it for its pain in the butt qualities, sometimes.

So interesting to learn more about what it is, how it falls, sticks and melts. Fascinating stuff, both the science and how snow affects us. Well written, easy to read, super interesting. Whether you have to deal with it or simply look at pictures of it, so much more to understand.

flag Like · see review

Sep 17, 2019 Paul rated it it was amazing

A fascinating look at snow from a variety of angles. With scintillating facts and interesting anecdotes and stories, this contains a lot of surprising and fun info told in an engaging way. Seemed extremely well researched, too. Highly recommended.

I really appreciate the review copy!!

flag Like · see review

Oct 04, 2019 Rachel Adrianna rated it really liked it

VERY well written and accessible to readers without an extensive science background. Clearly well researched and contains a lot of information... some of the chapters/ topics seems tangential but the author remained a clever, and at times poetic, voice throughout.

flag Like · see review

Feb 25, 2020 Karen rated it it was amazing

Shelves: nonfiction

Enjoyed this immensely. My favorite kind of nonfiction - the author covered this broad topic with good humor, first person experiences and lots of scientific observation. And a good serving of global warming warnings as well.

flag Like · see review

Jan 04, 2020 Caroline rated it it was ok

This book would have been much better if it included maps and references.

flag Like · see review

Apr 05, 2020 Jerrid Kruse rated it liked it

Interesting anecdotes about how snow is formed, adventures of skiers, cultures that depend/enjoy snow, and the impact of climate change.

flag Like · see review

Sep 08, 2020 Judy rated it liked it

Shelves: 2020-reads

The science behind the creation of a snowflake was interesting. The book only confirmed that snow it's becoming increasingly scarce. ...more

flag Like · see review

Nov 29, 2020 Jodi rated it really liked it

Really fascinating, just a bit too technical for me to grasp easily. But I learned a lot.

flag Like · see review

Jan 29, 2019 Sophie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction, biography

I am stunned. Snow, for me anyway, is the perfect non-fiction book. It combines the author’s own contagious passion for snow with fact and science. Which, let me tell you, makes for a fabulous read. The book was so personal, to both the author and the individual, exploring specific memories that we all share. It interweaves human culture and man’s perspectives with the ethereal idea of snow. The sentiments dotted around statistics are haunting. I LOVED Snow.

flag Like · see review

Feb 05, 2019 Claer Barber rated it really liked it · review of another edition

An enjoyable read for a few snowy February days. Loved the chapters on snow science, how it forms, when and where, how snow influences our culture....like how snow has been depicted in art (and relates to snow fall). The science noted extends to snow in relation to clinate change, and was very interesting, if concerning reading. The bits on skiing were of less interest to me (as a non-skiier), and a bit more on wildlife impact would have been nice.
Overall a good read.

flag Like · see review

new topic
Discuss This Book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Recommend It | Stats | Recent Status Updates

Readers also enjoyed

See similar books…

Genres

Nonfiction

13 users

Science > Natural History

3 users

Adult

3 users

Biography

3 users

History > Microhistory

2 users

History

2 users

See top shelves…

About Giles Whittell

Giles Whittell

24 followers

Giles Quintin Sykes Whittell (born 1966)[1][2] is an English author and journalist who has worked for The Times as Correspondent in Russia and the United States.

Whittell was educated at Sherborne School[2] and Christ's College, Cambridge (B.A. 1988).[3] He has worked for The Times of London since 1993, first as US West Coast Correspondent from 1993 to 1999 and later as Moscow Correspondent (1999–2 ...more