Gasp!: The Swift and Terrible Beauty of Air

by Joe Sherman

From a baby’s first breath—that universal and fundamental entry into life outside the womb—air is taken for granted. Joe Sherman’s The Book of Air is an entertaining investigation of air and the discoveries of how it works in the body and in our world.

Inhale, and learn about the difference between your aerobic capacity and Lance Armstrong’s; exhale, and follow the observation and science of the atmosphere from Aristotle to Nobel laureate Paul Crutzen; hold your breath and investigate why over the last two centuries air has transformed from something marvelous into something menacing. In The Book of Air, Joe Sherman blends the history and myths of air, together with its environmental and physiological effects, into a rich and sometimes troubling account of what gives us our life force.

Genres: Science

240 pages, Hardcover

First published August 30, 2004

Reviews

[Eli · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping for a scientific exploration of air: its composition and behaviors, its interaction with plant and animal bodies, maybe some history of the scientists who made advances in our understanding of it.

Instead, Sherman offers a little science, a lot of history, and then several hundred pages of anti-pollution screed. And, yes, attention needs to be called to air pollution and the changes human activity is wreaking on the most imporant invisible substance in our world, but heavy-handed diatribe wasn't what I wanted when I picked up this book.

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

at first i was like uh 400 pages about air. but actually it is hella interesting. makes you realize how special the air you breathe truly is. also, more so how much what you do affects others. how much our actions influence the world.
i really learned a lot with it. good quotations too.

[Caroline Nadel]

I think it was this book which kick-started my obsession with pollution. Contained within the scientific history of air and the discovery of its components is a beautifully written drama about the early industrialists and the fight for clean air.

[Mike Mcelhaney]

My partner bought this for a good price and he knows what I like, so we will see.