The Weather Factor: How Nature Has Changed History - Hardcover

From the campaigns of Roman legions and Napoleon to Mongol Asia and Vietnam, rain, extreme winter, typhoon and monsoon have contributed to the immediate horror and far reaching consequences which Durschmied vividly describes in highly readable story-telling style. He uses the poignancy of first-hand accounts for more recent events and also draws on his personal experiences as a reporter in Vietnam when he shows how "the elements, more than the black-pyjamaed battalions, were the enemy". Ending with present times, The Weather Factor describes how humankind is now seeking to control what was once considered to be divine intervention. Showing an intriguing side of history and graphically portraying the brutality of human conflict, this is a powerful and thought-provoking book. "Man can be victorious against fellow man," writes Durschmied, "but when confronted by the unleashed forces of nature, he stands powerless."--Karen Tiley

'Gripping, riveting. Fascinating. Even when you're sure you know what happened and whodunit, Erik Durschmied provides another twist.'

The Scotsman

'His tales of mayhem and confusion can be gripping, informative and genuinely idea-provoking. He reveals again and again, the casual impact of happenstance.'

The Independent

'This entertaining book considers the errors and incidents that have shaped the world as we know it rather than as we planned it might be.'

The Times

'Erik Durschmied's revelations are wholly captivating.'

Manchester Evening News