Meteorology or, Weather Explained

M‘Pherson, J. G. (John Gordon), 1843-1909Project Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

2.9

Word count: 188K words
Chapters: 19

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.Meteorology; or, Weather Explained by J. G. M'PhersonAuthor: M'Pherson, J. G. (John Gordon), 1843-1909,Language: English, Class: QC: Science: Physics, Release Date: Feb 19, 2012

Editor's review

This late-19th-century weather primer by British meteorologist J. G. M'Pherson was written for general readers and is a free public-domain eBook from Project Gutenberg. In plain language it explains the causes of common weather phenomena such as wind, rain, clouds, air pressure, and lightning. Though early, its basic meteorological principles remain valid, and it preserves the leisurely, observation-based style of early popular science. For Chinese readers it is a sample of Victorian scientific writing: one can learn atmospheric science fundamentals and sense how people then understood nature. Being an original English eBook, it also has language-learning value. Suitable as peripheral reading for meteorology beginners or for readers interested in the history of science and English public-domain texts. Note that it does not cover modern forecasting, satellite observation, or climate models, and should not be used as a contemporary meteorology textbook.

Who it's for

A good fit for

General readers curious about weather phenomena who want English popular science
Students learning English who want public-domain science reading practice
Readers interested in 19th-century scientific writing and the history of popular science
Enthusiasts needing English references for basic meteorological concepts

Not a good fit for

Readers seeking systematic modern meteorology or synoptic principles
Professionals needing contemporary content such as forecasting techniques and numerical models
Readers who find English difficult and want Chinese meteorology popular science

Reading tips

Read the table of contents first, then jump by topic such as wind, rain, and clouds rather than page by page.
After each chapter, briefly retell in Chinese the causes of the phenomenon to check understanding.
Guess unfamiliar meteorological terms from context first, then look them up and keep a glossary.
Read alongside modern popular meteorology and note how explanations differ over a century.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Is this book still accurate today?

Its explanations of basic causes such as wind, rain, clouds, and air pressure largely hold, but it was written in the late 19th century and does not include modern forecasting, satellite observation, or climate models. Treat it as an introductory reference for fundamentals; for specific data and frontier conclusions, rely on contemporary meteorological sources.

Can I read this if my English is not good?

It is an original English text in a 19th-century popular-science style, with long sentences and mostly everyday and basic scientific vocabulary. Readers with intermediate English can manage with a dictionary; if reading is difficult, start with a Chinese meteorology primer or use it as extensive reading rather than a main source.

Is this a paper book or an eBook?

Sources indicate it is released by Project Gutenberg as a free public-domain eBook. Project Gutenberg is known for free eBooks, so readers can usually obtain an electronic version; the specific access method depends on its publishing platform.

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About the author

M‘Pherson, J. G. (John Gordon), 1843-1909 Author · 1843–1909

J. G. M‘Pherson (John Gordon M‘Pherson, 1843–1909) is known as a nineteenth- to early twentieth-century author of popular writing on meteorology. Public information about his nationality, education, and professional career is limited, and only one of his works is held in this collection: Meteorology or, Weather Explained. Judging from its title and subject, the book addresses general readers and seeks to explain weather phenomena and meteorological principles in an accessible way, placing it within the tradition of popular science writing of the period. Such works tend to value clarity of concepts and concrete examples, linking professional observation with everyday experience to help readers understand the causes behind common phenomena such as wind, rain, and temperature. Because the historical record is scattered, his specific place in the history of meteorology is difficult to establish in detail, and his book is best regarded as a sample of the dissemination of modern meteorological knowledge.