Handbook of Snow

Book excerpt: Handbook of Snow, now reprinted from its 1981 edition, describes everything you always wanted to know about snow in four parts: Part 1 explains snow's relationship with humans, plants, and animals. Part II describes snowfall and snow cover in relation to formation, drifting, ablation, runoff, and avalanches. Part III illustrates the engineering involved in snow including travel, stress on buildings, and the use of chemicals and abrasives for controlling snow. Part IV describes snow and recreation, skiing, and the mechanics of skiing. "Handbook is an introductory text and thus written for the layman with a minimum of scientific jargon. Although the articles are relatively general in nature, they review the literature in their particular fields comprehensively and have extensive bibliographies. " N.A. Strickland, Trent University "This is one of those marvelous books with something for everyone." Jack Major Arctic and Alpine Research Vol. 15, No. 2 May 1983