The California Sky Watcher - William A. Selby

BOOK REVIEW by Nancy Pearlman

As nature lovers, Pantheists will appreciate the details, explained for the non-scientist of how weather and climate affects the vastly different ecosystems of California. In The California Sky Watcher: Understanding Weather Patterns and What Comes Next readers will be taken on journeys across the state during each season, from the scorching heat of Death Valley to the coastal redwoods dripping in dew. Taking us on this colorful wild weather ride as well as descriptions of unique flora and fauna is author William Selby, Professor Emeritus of Earth Science, Geography, Weather and Climate, and Environmental Studies at Santa Monica College as well as a Visiting Professor at the University of California at Irvine and at Los Angeles. He helps us unravel the mysteries of California skies that range from idyllic to extremely hazardous. We follow the changing weather patterns and climates that nurture and challenge our ecosystems and shape our landscapes: from droughts to atmospheric rivers, heat waves to cold snaps, and winter snow to summer thunder. Weather whiplash seems to rule in the Golden State! But do we really understand what causes these weather extremes as well as how can we anticipate future changes that will impact our state and its people? The cloud formations and weather elements are calling out to us in this everything you wanted to know about our weather book that also includes 125 photographs, diagrams, and explanatory charts. His descriptions and pictures of flora and fauna great. Selby writes for the environmentalist, the outdoorsperson but explains in simple language what is helpful for us to appreciate nature. 

You can follow updates, current events, and other relevant stories on his website at www.rediscoveringthegoldenstate.com. Or you can order the book through Heyday at https://www.heydaybooks.com/catalog/the-california-sky-watcher/. He also has his enduring 550-page book, Rediscovering the Golden State: California Geography, which is now in its 4th edition. Plus you can listen to my half hour interview with him on YouTube at Environmental Directions with Nancy Pearlman, Show number 2482.