An Introductory Survey (International Geophysics) [Hardcover]
![An Introductory Survey (International Geophysics) [Hardcover]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhruMX4t5fEbQSEHs2Cn3CO9w-tc3lZaLEyGFiCiZ2iZjlRnDhRliY3YeecAN5OsRNTB6bbKziGF717Zwjo9gB1G1LfqkEX9eq-aZnty1NosEf3uQsnmzcFWWLueAaYJ7fcsHT6M_rEnk4/s1600/Atmospheric+Science,+Second+Edition.jpg "An Introductory Survey (International Geophysics) [Hardcover]")
It's too bad Wallace and Hobbs never got around to revising this edition of the text, written in 1977. Of all the undergraduate textbooks I had, this was by far the best.
W&H cover all the important topics in meteorology and atmospheric science. Each chapter is very well written, easy to understand, and has good graphics and thought-provoking (often difficult!) questions at the end of each chapter. Each chapter ends with a series of mathematical questions--some of which require a good bit of thinking to arrive at the right equation to use; and also a series of "explain or interpret these statements." This is where you find out how much you really know!
Why do I like this book? Each chapter can, to some extent, stand on its own. Even though the material is dated (Chapter 5, on clouds and storms, would need significant additions in a course taught today), fundamental principles were the same then and are explained well. The historical notes about famous scientists also add character to the text.
My suggestion for a new reader: Chapters 1, 2, 8, 3, and 5 in that order. Then add Chapters 9, 4, 6, and 7. This way, you get the fundamental theory and then get to apply all you know to actual weather systems (in 3 and 5). The remaining four are almost like special topics and can be read at any time. If anyone has better suggestions, let me know!
An Introductory Survey (International Geophysics) [Hardcover]
