The matter of air : science and the art of the ethereal
Author(s)
Bibliographic Information
The matter of air : science and the art of the ethereal
Reaktion Books, c2010
Available at 2 libraries
  Aomori
  Iwate
  Miyagi
  Akita
  Yamagata
  Fukushima
  Ibaraki
  Tochigi
  Gunma
  Saitama
  Chiba
  Tokyo
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  Niigata
  Toyama
  Ishikawa
  Fukui
  Yamanashi
  Nagano
  Gifu
  Shizuoka
  Aichi
  Mie
  Shiga
  Kyoto
  Osaka
  Hyogo
  Nara
  Wakayama
  Tottori
  Shimane
  Okayama
  Hiroshima
  Yamaguchi
  Tokushima
  Kagawa
  Ehime
  Kochi
  Fukuoka
  Saga
  Nagasaki
  Kumamoto
  Oita
  Miyazaki
  Kagoshima
  Okinawa
  Korea
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  United Kingdom
  Germany
  Switzerland
  France
  Belgium
  Netherlands
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  United States of America
Note
Includes bibliographical references (p. [339]-366) and index
Description and Table of Contents
Description
Air - without it, life on Earth would cease to exist. It is invisible and yet always present in one way or another, and so people have long associated air with flight, spirit, transcendence and optimism. But as humans have progressively taken control of air through communications, warfare, travel and scientific exploration, the perception of air has changed. No longer is air a completely reliable part of our daily life but is instead another piece of the environment that must be watched closely for quality and purity. The Matter of Air investigates the meanings of air over the last three centuries, including our modern concern over emissions and climate change. Our concern is clearly not unfounded: from the impact of nitrous oxide to development of gas heating and lighting, humans have undeniably had an effect on the atmosphere. Eminent author Steven Connor looks at this effect by exploring radio atmospherics and poison gas, as well as the fear of air pollution caused by cremation, and the worry over haze. The book also discusses our growing fascination with air and aerial process through the allure of effervescence and the development of explosives.
The Matter of Air presents a cultural approach to the history of air, drawing from religion, science, art, literature and philosophy to create a comprehensive history of the human perception of air. Thoroughly researched and written with wit and joy, the book will appeal to any reader interested in pollution, natural and human history, and the relationship between human beings and air
by "Nielsen BookData"