Oh happy day! Oh happy, happy day!

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clfenwi
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Oh happy day! Oh happy, happy day!

#1 Postby clfenwi » Thu Aug 18, 2005 5:57 pm

How can I be happy after decoding observations from the most boring recon mission ever? It's because of what I did afterwards. First some backstory.

Back in December, I ventured into a used bookstore (looking for something specific) and came across an awesome old book, a must have sort of thing. Unfortunately, I just didn't have the money for it at the time. I could have bought it, but then someone would have been out a Christmas present. "Oh well", I thought, "it will be there next time".

Well, next time I went back it wasn't there. Heartbroken, I was.

This afternoon I went in there and noticed a whole bunch of books on weather, more than I was accustomed to seeing. Made me look closely at the section and sure enough, I came across the book that I had seen and failed to buy back in December.

The book is entitled 'Hurricanes'. It was written by Ivan Ray Tannenhall 'Chief of the Marine Division of the United States Weather Bureau'. Written in 1938, its cover reads "This is the only book in print in any language that contains a broad and comprehensive treatment of the nature and history of the West Indian hurricane".

The byleaf reads" The author of this book has had many years of experience in the hurricane warning service, both in the field and at the central bureau. He has here presented in popular form all that is worth while of the world's knowledge of hurricanes, and his purpose has been to place in the hands of all persons or land or sea, who may run the risk of a hurricane, the facts that will enable them to reduce or eliminate losses of life and property from this source."

I was so happy and excited to find it, that I had to share with people who I know will understand. :D
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artist
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#2 Postby artist » Thu Aug 18, 2005 6:00 pm

see what happens when you put others first?!?!? :D

Congrats on your find!
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#3 Postby Recurve » Thu Aug 18, 2005 6:34 pm

I bet you will be amazed at how little was known then compared to now.

I say that cause I'm re-reading "Meteorology" (Third Edition by William L. Donn) revised in 1965 -- he refers to changes in understanding of the general circulation of the atmosphere, and the modern weather theory of cyclones, air masses and fronts as being contrasted with the "classical" explanation in the first few chapters. It's interesting, and often more effective than a sleeping pill if you read it in bed.
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#4 Postby caribepr » Thu Aug 18, 2005 6:42 pm

Wow. Wish I'd known how hot you were for that book...an original edition made its way into our free/share library here (where of course I snagged it) and I had it a couple of years - and just recently gave it to a friend of mine.
Glad you got it!! It's full of wonderful bits!
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#5 Postby jasons2k » Thu Aug 18, 2005 9:45 pm

That is amazing - congrats!!
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#6 Postby Kludge » Thu Aug 18, 2005 10:26 pm

I bought that book back in '78 at a rummage sale. I still treasure it, and would never part with it. I was a closet hurricane enthusiast then...now (of course) I'm a raging fanatic (like the rest of you knuckleheads ;-)

You should see the cover now...tattered and shreds...but I still keep it nearby, sort of as my hurricane "bible". There are lots of tables and graphics that were waaaay ahead of their time. My favorite is an atlantic map showing typical angle of storm movement within each 5 degree lat/long grid. What a creative way of displaying the historical data. He also shows a picture of one of the very first radar displays of a hurricane...from one of the first hunter planes.

You've got quite a museum piece there... hang on to it!!!
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Recurve
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#7 Postby Recurve » Fri Aug 19, 2005 1:26 am

"He also shows a picture of one of the very first radar displays of a hurricane..."
Was that even possible in 1938 (?)
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#8 Postby weatherwindow » Fri Aug 19, 2005 5:11 am

we may not agree on much around here but we read the same books :lol: ......to answer the above question, the radar pics are in the 1955 edition...the original was updated until his death. interestingly, an original 38 edition is listed on amazon...and i agree it is a great read. just an aside, he was the bureau chief during the congressional hearings on the labor day hurricane and testified about the uncertainties of forecasting........rich
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Rainband

#9 Postby Rainband » Fri Aug 19, 2005 8:37 am

Congrats :P
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