Wow! eBook
Wind Wizard: Alan G. Davenport and the Art of Wind Engineering
Author(s): Siobhan Roberts (Author)
- Publisher: Princeton University Press
- Publication Date: 12 Nov. 2012
- Edition: Illustrated
- Language: English
- Print length: 288 pages
- ISBN-10: 0691151539
- ISBN-13: 9780691151533
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
"An elegant piece of work. . . . Siobhan Roberts' style has literary merit. The narrative flows uniformly. The reader is not jolted by phrases, by fragments singing out of tune. I would not be surprised if she were to try to write novels in the future. After all, what's past is prologue."
---Paolo Maria Mariano, Mathematical Reviews"Recommended. . . . The dramatic undulations and final collapse of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in 1940 demonstrated the power of wind and impelled a new discipline of wind engineering. Alan G. Davenport led the field with his meticulous science and innovative wind tunnel. Journalist Roberts delves into Davenport's portfolio of superlatives, which includes the world's tallest bridge, France's Millau Viaduct."
---Marissa Fessenden, Scientific American"Richly drawn. . . . A winning, enlightening investigation into wind engineering and the man who made the airwaves speak."-- "Kirkus Reviews"
"Roberts has done a very good job demonstrating the importance of Davenport's more sophisticated approach to wind and its effects on structures in making many of the world's tall buildings possible."-- "Choice"
"Roberts'
Wind Wizard is a tenaciously gripping and extraordinarily well-told tale of one of the great figures in structural engineering."---Nick Smith, Engineering & Technology"Roberts's book is more than an account of Davenport's life--it also provides fascinating insights into some of civil engineering's greatest achievements, and closest shaves. She reminds us how much we rely on wind engineering: from portable toilets to space rockets, Davenport tested everything. . . . With climate change making violent storms like Sandy more common, the story of the wind wizard has never been more relevant."
---Ben Crystall, New ScientistFrom the Inside Flap
"This thoughtful biography captures the genius of Alan Davenport. Knowing Davenport for some forty years and working with him throughout the design of New York's World Trade Center, I witnessed his ascent as the leader in wind engineering, pioneering that science as we know and depend upon it today. Roberts skillfully tells the engineering story, uncovering fascinating details about Davenport and his work previously unknown to me. The reader emerges having enjoyed an intimate and informative visit with Davenport, one of the most interesting engineers of our time."--Les Robertson, recipient of the 2011 International Award of Merit in Structural Engineering
"Wind Wizard is a masterpiece of science writing at its best: informative, interesting, and entertaining. I warmly recommend it to anyone interested in the important issues of our time. Roberts is one of our best writers on science and mathematics today."--Amir Aczel, author of Fermat's Last Theorem: Unlocking the Secret of an Ancient Mathematical Problem
"Roberts has a rare gift for writing about technical matters without oversimplifying (and thus annoying the scientists) or becoming too abstruse (and thus putting off her readers). InWind Wizard, that admirable balance is deftly used to create a fascinating portrait of a little-known scientist who was a giant in his field--a story which also serves as cautionary tale for a world apparently confronting ever more severe weather."--Marq de Villiers, author of Windswept: The Story of Wind and Weather
"Wind Wizard provides an excellent overview of wind engineering for general readers."--Henry Petroski, author ofThe Essential Engineer: Why Science Alone Will Not Solve Our Global Problems
"This captivating and compelling biography looks at the life of Alan Davenport, and his significant contributions to wind engineering. Highlighting Davenport's unique approach and technical prowess, this book delves into the behind-the-scenes engineering on major architectural construction projects, such as the Twin Towers. A satisfying read."--Drew Landman, Old Dominion University
From the Back Cover
"This thoughtful biography captures the genius of Alan Davenport. Knowing Davenport for some forty years and working with him throughout the design of New York's World Trade Center, I witnessed his ascent as the leader in wind engineering, pioneering that science as we know and depend upon it today. Roberts skillfully tells the engineering story, uncovering fascinating details about Davenport and his work previously unknown to me. The reader emerges having enjoyed an intimate and informative visit with Davenport, one of the most interesting engineers of our time."--Les Robertson, recipient of the 2011 International Award of Merit in Structural Engineering
"Wind Wizard is a masterpiece of science writing at its best: informative, interesting, and entertaining. I warmly recommend it to anyone interested in the important issues of our time. Roberts is one of our best writers on science and mathematics today."--Amir Aczel, author of Fermat's Last Theorem: Unlocking the Secret of an Ancient Mathematical Problem
"Roberts has a rare gift for writing about technical matters without oversimplifying (and thus annoying the scientists) or becoming too abstruse (and thus putting off her readers). In Wind Wizard, that admirable balance is deftly used to create a fascinating portrait of a little-known scientist who was a giant in his field--a story which also serves as cautionary tale for a world apparently confronting ever more severe weather."--Marq de Villiers, author of Windswept: The Story of Wind and Weather
"Wind Wizard provides an excellent overview of wind engineering for general readers."--Henry Petroski, author of The Essential Engineer: Why Science Alone Will Not Solve Our Global Problems
"This captivating and compelling biography looks at the life of Alan Davenport, and his significant contributions to wind engineering. Highlighting Davenport's unique approach and technical prowess, this book delves into the behind-the-scenes engineering on major architectural construction projects, such as the Twin Towers. A satisfying read."--Drew Landman, Old Dominion University
