The Breath of the Gods
By Simon Winchester
Review by Kazia
I had never given much thought to the wind before this book appeared on my radar. Or at least, I had never given much serious thought to the wind, until I picked this up and discovered that there was a fascinating story to be told.
In The Breath of the Gods, Winchester masterfully balances scientific explanation with historical investigation. This book meanders through the history of wind by way of nautical evolution and technological advancements; through windmills and war, plant life and natural disasters. There is something about the way that Winchester narrates this story that makes you believe that he could quite captivatingly relay any sort of history, on any topic, and you would eagerly pay attention. Winchester’s writing style is easy and personable, with many an interesting (though not always directly related to the topic) footnote. Part of the disarming appeal of Winchester’s writing style is that you never have to question his biases or personal opinion because he delivers them with a bluntness that I found respectable even when I didn’t necessarily agree. Overall, this is an engaging piece of literature that leans somewhat more historical than ecological.
Perfect for fans of Winchester’s other books or Robert Macfarlane’s Underland.
