Sunday Times bestselling author Simon Winchester returns with a thought provoking history of the wind written in his edifying and entertaining style What is going on with our atmosphere The headlines are filled with news of devastating hurricanes murderous tornadoes and cataclysmic fires Gale force advisories are issued on a regular basis by weather services around the world Atmospheric scientists are warning that winds the force at the centre of all these dangerous natural events are expected to steadily increase in the years ahead strengthening in power speed and frequency While 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 Between these two poles wind as a malevolent force and wind as saviour 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 The Breath of the Gods he explains how wind plays a part in our everyday lives from