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A review by jcsterlace
Defining the Wind: The Beaufort Scale and How a 19th-Century Admiral Turned Science Into Poetry by Scott Huler
Huler's book is much more than a biography of Francis Beaufort and a tale of his work. It describes a beautiful coexistence of observational science and artistic documentation and interpretation that science is and should be.
The characterization of scientific inquiry that is predominant in popular culture and in education is an artificial divorce of the empirical and the expressive. Huler cuts through that division in this book, explaining clearly the necessity of qualitative observations, quantitative measurements, and practical meanings in scientific endeavors. He also clearly conveys that science is an endeavor of great effort undertaken by individuals who are inspired by need or curiosity, brushing away the lightning strikes of genius that again predominate explanations of science in popular culture and schools everywhere. Also made clear is the central role that communication plays in science - for one person to know a thing is not enough.
As a science educator, I cannot recall ever being more inspired by a book. I could not sit while reading it. It completely changed the way I teach and the way I view science communication - as well as the wind.
The characterization of scientific inquiry that is predominant in popular culture and in education is an artificial divorce of the empirical and the expressive. Huler cuts through that division in this book, explaining clearly the necessity of qualitative observations, quantitative measurements, and practical meanings in scientific endeavors. He also clearly conveys that science is an endeavor of great effort undertaken by individuals who are inspired by need or curiosity, brushing away the lightning strikes of genius that again predominate explanations of science in popular culture and schools everywhere. Also made clear is the central role that communication plays in science - for one person to know a thing is not enough.
As a science educator, I cannot recall ever being more inspired by a book. I could not sit while reading it. It completely changed the way I teach and the way I view science communication - as well as the wind.