Atmospheric Science: An Introductory Survey

Very Comprehensive Simple explanations. cover all the important topics in meteorology and atmospheric science. Very helpful in my first course of atmospheric science

This is a truly well-written book; introducing the major concepts of atmospheric science in a clear and logical manner. After having the opportunity to study with the author, I am thoroughly impressed with his depth of knowledge in the field. A must-own for any aspiring atmospheric scientist.

Hands down this text is the best for anyone looking for an introduction to the atmospheric sciences. There is almost no topic this book doesn't provide an overview of. Personally my favorite section is Thermodynamics. In my opinion the authors give a very clear and thorough introduction to the subject. Other topics in the book are also equally as good. As an introductory text (2nd year) this book provides a very good base for students in the atmospheric sciences to build upon. I find that even in 4th year I still referred back to the text to recall some of the basics that tend to get lost when you become so fixed on the math.Excellent text, well worth the money (like almost any book in the field, it is expensive!). The fact that the book hasn't changed in 25yrs (even the cover is the same!) says something about it's quality.

(Update--there is a new edition of this textbook, out in spring 2006) 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!

Although not being a specialist in the field (mine is Condensed Matter Physics), I found this book to be quite stimulating and well written. It is suitable for a student who has already some familiarity with Physics and Calculus (including several variables and vector calculus) and , in my opinion, that is just what makes it exciting, because it does not, although being introductory, bores the non-specialist reader with a mass of details or just qualitative information. I have been responsible for introductory Themodynamics classes for students of Physics and Meteorology for the last four years in my institute, and now I intend to use examples from the book .