Book reviews Weather – January 2006, Vol. 61, No. 1 29 . Jim Galvin (2005) pp. pp. 219–227 Weather 60, , pp. pp. 230–235 60, , doi: 10.1256/wea.183.05 Weather Weather (2005) Cloudburst upon Burt, S. The Hendraburnick Boscastle Down: storm of 16 August 2004. B. and May, Golding, B., Clark, P. The The Boscastle flood: Meteorological analysis of the conditions leading to flooding on 16 August 2004. The The flood in the harbour area received a The book’s 64 pages contain many I congratulate David Rowe and Truran References many in relation to the rivers Valency, Jordan Valency, rivers the to relation in many and Ottery (that drain Hendraburnick Down above Boscastle). deal great of at news coverage the time, but this book, with its accounts, fills in many gaps variety in the broader- of personal scale picture, such as the flooding higher in the village, as well as Cornwall. in nearby parts of excellent photographs of the event unfolded, demonstrating how many people as it (especially holidaymakers) carry cameras these days, as well as the evident ability of many to take well-composed pictures, even in the most harrowing of conditions. Other images show the people affected, stories are in the text. whose Books on publishing this well-produced book quickly to raise funds for Cornwall the Flood North Appeal. I heartilymend this book to readers of recom- 2005; Burt 2005 for a By David Rowe Boscastle – 16 August 2004 – the day of the flood et al. 1 85022 193 6 The The accounts are very moving and Although I would have liked to see a map Truran Books, Truro, 2004 Truro, Books, Truran 64 pp. Paperback £4.99 ISBN Most of this book is a often series harrowing, of personal, but accounts of the 2004 Boscastle flood. also courageous, describe the evolution of the flood graphi- cally. Whilst not a meteorological account, all the elements of evident the in meteorology the are various accounts. However, the specific aspects of reported the towards the end of the book seem meteorology rather ill-considered the ‘off or cuff’ (see, for instance, Golding record record of the weather developments that led to the flood). the with match to reference a as Boscastle of various accounts, the pictures of the village printed in the book suggest the location of Jim Galvin doi: 10.1256/wea.28.05 This This book is well-produced and well- edited edited with interesting illustrations and It of the chapters. many between comments feels solid and has a feel of quality. It clearly meets the of remit the book to look at social effects of climate Australia’s and humanity’s response to it. However, I wonder about its real value to environmental scientists, given its social approach and mainly authors social who scientists. For are anyone with a musical interest, the inside of the front and back will covers be fascinating. A melody by using produced printed, is Kesteven Jennifer the Southern Oscillation Index,rainfall deciles and pressure in Austral cities, Austral 1952–1978 with anomalies represented by the notes of a scale. For method such of an music unusual writing, it is surprisingly tuneful! lack lack of foresight – in its own way forming a type of racism of apparent domination. We are asked to think about the current obses- to us allow will technology that some of sion change the whatever regulate environment, may occur and whatever effect have on others. Have we so much contempt this may for nature and God's creation?