. They are faced with a terrible moral dilemma. Do they just clear off and leave the blind ones to (mostly) die? Or should the sighted stay to help the blind - and almost certainly end up dying with them? And of course not all, even among the sighted, are content to leave this to individual choice. There are those prepared to kidnap and enslave the sighted and force them into helping the blind - and equally those who see a not so brave new world with themselves as masters and the blind majority as serfs.
If all this weren't enough, the triffids are on the loose. With their deadly stings, they commit mayhem on the helpless blind humans, and soon develop into a major problem even for the sighted, who must search desperately for some refuge which can be defended against them. The rest of the novel is devoted to their finding one.
I have a few gripes here and there. Would the triffids really be much threat to sighted people, if the latter had sense enough to wear crash helmets, goggles and heavy coats? And where's the Navy? Did every submarine in the world surface to look at the meteors? I'd expect a sub or two to come moseying up the Thames before too long. Quibble, quibble, Mike.
And was that plague just a leetle bit too convenient? Masen is agonising about whether to stay with the blind party into whose service he was kidnapped and "drafted" when a germ or virus comes along and gets him off the hook by killing them all. Bit of a cop-out there?
I also feel that Wyndham made a mistake, later, in implying that the "comet" was a secret weapon that went wrong, and the meteors an official cover story. I don't trust government either, but this doesn't really fit the facts. Were it so, those in the know would surely have taken shelter, and ordered Army and police to do the same. Yet there's no sign whatever of this having happened. No mention of the Royal Family, Cabinet, or Armed Forces, who evidently all went out and got blinded along with the rest. Even for a British government, that's an improbable degree of stupidity. While fully sharing Wyndham's distrust of the Powers That Be, I feel we have to acquit them of this particular crime.
Finally, though appreciating how Wyndham liked his disasters "cosy" and localised, I'd have liked to see just a little more (either in this book or the sequel he never wrote) about how the world at large was getting on. Was everywhere as badly hit as England? Being plants, the triffids wouldn't fare too well in deserts, so Americans and Mexicans might hold out in the southwest, and the Moslems (Oh dear!) in N Africa and the Mideast, while the sighted Australians could retreat into their arid interior. Dry grasslands might also be unsuitable, and even if triffids could live there, a human would see them on the horizon long before they got near enough to detect him, so on steppes or prairies, or even in the Scottish highlands, human and triffid would generally meet only when the human wanted it. These, rather than the Isle of Wight, seem to me the "best hope of mankind".
But enough grousing. It's a really great novel, rivalling "Earth Abides" as the classic post disaster yarn. If you haven't read it, you are missing out big time!
Average customer rating:
- A beautiful, illustrated book for everybody interested in meteorites
- Meteorite right!
- Great meteorite reference
- STUPENDOUS
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The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Meteorites
O. Richard Norton
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Rocks from Space: Meteorites and Meteorite Hunters (Astronomy) (Astronomy)
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Meteorites: A Petrologic, Chemical and Isotopic Synthesis (Cambridge Planetary Science)
ASIN: 0521621437 |
Book Description
In recent years, meteorites have caught the imagination of scientist and collector alike. An army of people are now actively searching for them in the hot and cold deserts of Earth. Fascinating extraterrestrial rocks in meteorites are our only contact with materials from beyond the Earth-Moon system. Using well known petrologic techniques, O. Richard Norton reveals in vivid color their extraordinary external and internal structures and taking readers to the atomic level, describes the environment within the solar nebula that existed before the planets accreted. Extensively illustrated, this volume is a valuable guide to assist searchers in the field in recognizing the many classes of meteorites and it is a superb reference source for students, teachers and scientists who wish to probe deeper these amazing rocks from space. O. Richard Norton is a contributing editor for Meteorite magazine and the author of The Planetarium and Atmospherium and Rocks from Space (Mountain Press, 1998). For the last 40 years, he has taught astronomy and space sciences at various US institutions.
Customer Reviews:
A beautiful, illustrated book for everybody interested in meteorites.......2007-05-29
This book was delivered in excellent condition, and has already proved itself very useful. It is most interesting, provides useful information, and helps to understand the evolution of our solar system using the asteroid pieces fallen on Earth.
Meteorite right!.......2006-10-29
A very up-to-date review and very comprehensive. Some parts are for the chemists in the crowd but all-in-all well worth having on your bookshelf.
Great meteorite reference.......2005-08-02
This is a fantastic reference to meteorites. Large, beautifully bound and with great colour images and illustrations. Norton certainly knows his subject and takes us on a cosmic jouney, from black rocks found in the desert to a time before the formation of the solar system. There is plenty of technical and scientific details to feed the mind of the most educated reader. He explains concepts like radio-isotope dating with a clarity lacking at many eductional institutions today. Highly recommended for all those with an interest in space or astronomy and the growing number of meteorite collectors out there. My only minor criticism is that the font used in the book could have been a little bolder and easier to read for my aging eyes. Norton deserves a 10/10 for this fine effort.
STUPENDOUS.......2003-05-17
THERE IS NOT MUCH TO SAY ABOUT THIS EXCEPTIONAL BOOK EXCEPT THIS IS AN EXCELLENT IN-DEPTH LOOK AT METEORITES WITH SUPERB COLOR PICTURES. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN METEORITES, ESPECIALLY COLLECTING THEM, YOUR LIBRARY SHOLD NOT BE WITHOUT THIS BOOK.
Book Description
Increasing discoveries of new planets beyond our solar system are invigorating the quest for new knowledge and understanding of the birth of stars and planets. This new volume in the Space Science Series, with 249 contributing authors, builds on the latest results from recent advances in ground and space-based astronomy and in numerical computing techniques to offer the most detailed and up-to-date picture of star and planet formation, including the formation of our own solar system. This book emphasizes the cross-disciplinary aspects of the field, with a particular focus on the early evolution of our solar system. Protostars and Planets V is the new foundation for further advancement in the fields of stellar and planetary formation, making it an indispensable resource for researchers and students in astronomy, planetary science, and the study of meteorites.
Customer Reviews:
Nearly a thousand pages of information.......2007-06-18
With nearly a thousand pages of information, nearly seventy black and white photos, and hundreds of line drawings, Protostars and Planets V is a winning selection for any serious college-level holding strong in astronomy. It's the newest volume in the Space Science Series and contains articles from over two hundred contributing professionals, building on the latest advances in astronomy and providing fine cross-disciplinary approaches to the genre. From how stars form and different formations to issues of life in the universe, astronomy students receive an exceptional, in-depth coverage.
Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch
Report on Conference V.......2007-03-29
The Protostars and Planets V conference was held on the big island of Hawaii on October 24-28, 2005. The conference attracted 805 participants, half of which were from 30 countries outside the United States. This conference, which is held every half dozen years or so, is times so that very substantial progress in a field can be made.
This book, which contains some 58 chapters which correspond to the talks given at the conference and together they represent the state of the art in our present understanding of star and planet formation, young stars, and the early solar system.
Among the major strides made between IV and V include:
. The number of extra solar planets has grown by a factor of 10.
Multiple plants being discovered around some suns.
.New submillimeter detectors.
.Sophisticated numerical simulations on ever-more-powerful computers.
.X-Ray studies of star-forming regions.
.Brown dwarfs has now become part of mainstream astrophysics.
.Much new research into comets and the Kuiper belt.
.Refined dating techniques that established an age of our solar system of 4567 million years.
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Exploring the Geology of the Carolinas: A Field Guide to Favorite Places from Chimney Rock to Charleston
Kevin G. Stewart , and
Mary-Russell Roberson
Manufacturer: The University of North Carolina Press
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ASIN: 0807857866 |
Book Description
How were the Appalachian Mountains formed? Are the barrier islands moving? Where is there gold in the Carolinas? Find answers to these questions and many more in this reader-friendly guide to the geology of North Carolina and South Carolina.
Book Description
Meteorite research is fundamental to our understanding of the origin and early history of the Solar System. This book considers the mechanism and timing of core formation and basaltic volcanism on asteroids, and the effects of heating water-rich bodies. Results from meteorite research are placed in a galactic setting, and a theory is proposed for the origin of the planets of our Solar System. This advanced yet succinct introduction classifies meteorites in the context of their ages and origin.
Customer Reviews:
One of the only professional comprehensive meteorite books.......2000-02-14
This book is an invaluable source of information for the professional, and is also useful for those who have some background in geology. I've had this book checked out of the library for 2 years! It's time to get my own copy!
recommended by NASA for meteorite thin section analysis.......1999-08-31
If the person from Canada thought "it bit", perhaps they he would like to sell it to someone that finds the information invaluable. No other book published before or since focuses on the subject better!
It Bites!.......1999-01-13
I learned nothing form this book
Customer Reviews:
The State of the Art as of March 2006.......2006-08-19
First some definitions from Wikipedia: A METEORITE is an extraterrestrial body that survives its impact with the Earth's (or other planet's) surface without being destroyed. While in space it is called a METEOROID. When it enters the atmosphere, air resistance causes the body to heat up and emit light, thus forming a fireball, also known as a METEOR or shooting star.
This book is about meteorites, their makeup, and what we have learned from them. Some 88 authors from nine countries have contributed to the writing. This book describes the state of the art as known to science as of March 2006 when the book was finally put to bed. It is suitable as a graduate level text and a reference for meteoriticists and other researchers in allied fields.
The study of meteorites is a fairly new science. It is only in the last century or so that people realized that rocks could fall from the heavens. In that time scientists have come to realize that these rocks, coming from outside the Earth provide a unique insite to exterrestrial situations including the birth of the solar system.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent Book........2007-04-23
I purchased the book "Rocks From Space (Second Edition)" about seven years ago. My main interest in space is in the field of planetary geology and I have a need to be reasonably conversant with the subscience of meteoritics. The "Rocks From Space" book was recommended by several colleagues, and I also noted that it had received good reviews.
In general, I find "popular" books directed to the interests of amateurs to be shallow and even corny. "Rocks From Space" is an exception. This book is outstanding. It provides a concise but excellent introduction to the subjects of meteorites, asteroids, comets, meteors and impact sites. It is presented in a way that amateur collectors, amateur astronomers or anyone interested in these space-related subjects can easily read and understand, but, at the same time, it is very informative and authoritative. I would not hesitate to recommend the book to anyone who was interested in meteorites and other space debris. In fact, I have recommended it to countless individuals as an excellent place to start.
"Rocks From Space" is well written, well illustrated and interesting to read. It has achieved a permanent and respected place in my reference book collection. I give talks on planetary geology to groups of geologists and astronomers and I use some of the illustrations in my presentations. For people who are interested is collecting meteorites, Norton presents a series of guidelines, anecdotes and useful information including a list of laboratories where one might get an identification confirmed. For a small and inexpensive paperback, this book contains a wealth of information.
Rocks from Space, an overview........2007-02-09
Excellent book, especially for the beginning/intermediate meteorite collecter. Written in easy-to-understand English, yet technical when it needs to be. Very comprehensive on the subject, and well illustrated with photographs and drawings.
VERY ENTERTAINING BOOK ON METEORITES!!.......2007-01-11
Norton is a rare author who combines detailed knowledge of a subject with very entertaining stories. Once I started reading some of the chapters I just could not put it down. On the other hand, it also includes chapters which are technical (and sometimes beyond my understanding in some cases)! It therefore has something for everyone from beginner to advanced, collector or even a noncollector simply interested in the subject. This is a great introduction and very well written. It was not the first book on metorites I read, but should have been!
Rocks from Space.......2006-08-24
very informative and well written. a good book to have on the subject.
A joy for every meteorite collector.......2005-09-20
Though I got Norton's Encyclopedia of Meteorites first, I'm glad I still bought this one as it is more beginner friendly, and delights every reader of the meteorite legends and bed time stories.I use to have this principle not to buy the second book of the same author, as the content is almost the same. The encyclopedia is still an excellent reference for the more technically inclined individuals, I should say for geologist its easy for them to see eye to eye, but "Rocks from Space" has always been recommended by almost every meteorite dealer and collectors, and they can't be wrong. Its a must for every collector in their library. Mr. Norton has always been close to many a meteorite collector, and the reader can share his views without boundaries.
Book Description
Volume 1 provides a broad overview of the chemistry of the solar system. It includes chapters on the origin of the elements and solar system abundances, the solar nebula and planet formation, meteorite classification, the major types of meteorites, important processes in early solar system history, geochemistry of the terrestrial planets, the giant planets and their satellite, comets, and the formation and early differentiation of the Earth. This volume is intended to be the first reference work one would consult to learn about the chemistry of the solar system.
Reprinted individual volume from the acclaimed Treatise on Geochemistry (10 Volume Set, ISBN 0-08-043751-6, published in 2003)
Book Description
What are meteorites? Where do they come from? Are they a threat? What are they made of? How common are they? As centuries have passed, our knowledge of these extraterrestrial objects has advanced immensely, and today, the scientific study of meteorites provides a wealth of information about the solar system. Meteorites reveal clues to some of the greatest scientific enigmas:
- the origin of life on Earth
- the mass extinction of species
- the nature and composition of asteroids
- the conditions during the formation of the solar system
- the dust from stars that died long before our Sun formed.
Written by a team of experts, Meteorites is an accessible, comprehensive guide that features over two hundred full-color photographs, diagrams and graphs. Look no further for a wonderful introduction to these powerful, yet mystifying, objects. Brigitte Zanda is Associate Professor at the Mineralogy Laboratory of the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle in Paris, and Adjunct Member of the Graduate Faculty at Rutgers University. Following on from her PhD in Geochemistry, she has written many papers in Meteoritics and Planetary Science and other journals, and is a member of the Nomenclature Committee of the Meteoritical Society. Monica Rotaru is Department Chief of Earth Sciences at the Palais de la découverte in Paris, where she organizes scientific exhibitions. After her PhD in geochemistry, she has conducted research in climatology and written television science documentaries.
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- The Dragons of Eden: Speculations on the Evolution of Human Intelligence
- The Finest Atlas of the Heavens / Der Prachtigste Himmelsatlas / L'atlas Celeste Le Plus Admirable: Harmonia Macrocosmica (Harmonia Macrocosmica of 1660)
- The Gods of Change: Pain, Crisis, and the Transits of Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto (Arkana's Contemporary Astrology Series)
- The Landmarks of New York: An Illustrated Record of the City's Historic Buildings
- The Last Colony
- The Mechanical Universe: Introduction to Mechanics and Heat
- The Normans in Sicily: The Normans in the South 1016-1130 and the Kingdom in the Sun 1130-1194
- The Planetary System, Third Edition
- The Search for Life in the Universe (Third Edition)
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Night of the Triffids
More Than Human
The Day of the Triffids
The Stars My Destination
The Chrysalids
