His style is genial, his enthusiasm uplifting and his book nothing less than a subtle but glorious mantra for a way of life.

Read this eye-opening and amusingly written book and you will realise that beautiful as they are clouds are not just put there for decoration, they are truly awesome things.

Go doudspotting: it's the new religion.

The Cloudspotter's Guide is the inaugural publication of The Cloud Appreciation Society. It aims to fight 'blue-sky thinking'and teach us to enjoy the contemplation of clouds, nature's poetry.It introduces each of the different characters in the cloud family,so you'll know when to expect fine weather and when to carry your umbrella. It tells of the man who fell through a cloud,clouds being used to predict earthquakes and of one in Australia that glider pilots surf like a wave. And if you've ever wondered who would win in a punch-up between the stormy Cumulonimbus thundercloud and the drizzly Nimbostratus, read on.

Introduction

Cloud chart

Classification table

The Low Clouds

1. Cumulus

2. Cumulonimbus

3. Stratus

4. Stratocumulus

The Middle Clouds

5. Altocumulus

6. Altostratus

7. Nimbostratus

The High Clouds

8. Cirrus

9. Cirrocumulus

10. Cirrostratus

Not Forgetting

11. The Other Clouds

12. Contrails

13. The Morning Glory

Notes

Acknowledgements

Index