Storm Chasers by David Toomey, W. W. Norton, $25.95/拢19.95, ISBN 0393020002 Reviewed by Roy Herbert
IN THE 1950s there were only limited methods of measuring the intensity and direction of the hurricanes that regularly appeared from the Caribbean and tore an all-destroying path up the east coast of America. To forecast their routes and strength as accurately as possible was imperative to save lives and minimise damage.
Incredibly, there were courageous teams who flew their aircraft into the eye of the storms to gather the necessary information. Hurricane Janet had been penetrated four times before. Storm Chasers is the story of the fifth flight that never returned.
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David Toomey handles three themes with competence: the origin and power of hurricanes; development of better methods of gathering data; and the personal lives of the crew of Snowcloud Five. It is an impressive story at all levels.