FLOODS, FAMINES, AND EMPERORS El Nino and the Fate of Civilization

Professor Fagan addresses the complex relationships of the oceans and the atmosphere. He travels through time and around the globe, relating weather to the humans it affects. Since scientists know more about El Nino than other climatic phenomena, it takes center stage. However, discussing changes such as ice ages, rain, famines, and trade winds brings the plethora of figures and facts to a more practical and understandable realm. John Haag’s unadorned narration does little to maintain one's attention, especially in view of the endless details he must deliver. Of course, audio lacks any maps of the numerous geographical references or any tables and graphs to facilitate the numerical data. Although divided into chapters, the narrative wanders beyond most listeners' ability to stay oriented. J.A.H. © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2010]