Throughout history, the elements have been responsible for the deaths of more people than the spear, bullet, or atomic bomb. Floods have drowned millions, droughts and famines wiped out entire populations, frost halted invincible armies, and storms have sunk unsinkable fleets. Though we have made major advances in forecasting the weather, huge seas, skies, rain falls and freezes have confounded us since the days when Noah was forced to take to the Ark. When facing the weather, its unpredictability can lead to disaster.
Erik Durschmied uses his formidable knowledge of military strategy and his skill at human observation to recreate the calm before the storm as Roman legions cross unfamiliar terrain, showered with hail and thunder claps; Mongol hordes are defeated by lashing rain and high seas; and the Irish perish in the famous potato famine.
Drawing on historical papers and extensive research, 'The Weather Factor' gives absorbing examples of how man can never prepare for the unexpected.
