A Hole in the Wind
A Climate Scientist's Bicycle Journey Across the United States
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5.0 • 2 Ratings
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- $12.99
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
An epic bicycle journey across the American hinterland that explores the challenges of climate change alongside a diverse array of American voices.
After a distinguished career in climate science as the Director of the UN Global Climate Observing System in Geneva, David Goodrich returned home to the United States to find a nation and a people in denial. Concerned that the American people are willfully deluded by the misinformation about climate that dominates media and politics, David thought a little straight talk could set things right. As they say in Animal House, he decided that "this calls for a stupid and futile gesture on someone's part, and I'm just the guy to do it."
Starting on the beach in Delaware, David rode his bike 4,200 miles to Oregon, talking with the people he met on the ultimate road trip. Along the way he learned a great deal about why climate is a complicated issue for many Americans and even more about the country we all share.
Climate change is the central environmental issue of our time. But A Hole in the Wind is also about the people Dave met and the experiences he had along the way, like the toddler's beauty pageant in Delaware, the tornado in Missouri, rust-belt towns and their relationship with fracking, and the mined-out uranium ghost town in Wyoming. As he rides, David will discuss the climate with audiences varying from laboratories to diners to elementary schools.
Beautifully simple, direct, and honest, A Hole in the Wind is a fresh, refreshing ride through a difficult and controversial topic, and a rich read that makes you glad to be alive.
Customer Reviews
An unexpected surprise
As a very casual cyclist for many years I was intrigued by the title. The book turned out to be much, much more than a cycling book about crossing the country. The “back story” of small towns he passed through and the residents he interacted with, were fascinating. What was particularly interesting was the early American, and Native People’s history that he also included.
As a retired scientist who worked around the globe, I really appreciated his observations that covered several cycling trips over a span of over twenty years. His personal stories and sense of humor made it a very easy and enjoyable book to read. If I had to pick one word to describe it, it would be “surprise!”