A Cold Spell: A Human History of Ice

A Cold Spell is a book that explores how ice has shaped our thoughts, actions, and societies, and what it means for us that it is rapidly disappearing from our planet. It is a warm-hearted tale of the bizarre, something to cuddle up with in the bleak midwinter, and is written by Leonard Wibberley.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 09 November 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

A Cold Spell is a captivating journey that takes us from the very beginnings of our story to the present day, exploring the profound impact of ice on our thoughts, actions, and societies. It sheds light on the intricate ways in which ice has shaped our world, from the earliest sparks of art and culture in Europe to the modern world we inhabit today. Without ice, our lives would be vastly different, as it plays a crucial role in providing us with food, medicine, and transportation. It has also influenced the development of science, art, and literature, and has been the subject of countless obsessions, inventions, and adventures throughout history.

In A Cold Spell, author Michael Palin takes us on a surprising and enlightening exploration of the human experience of ice. He weaves together a diverse range of historical and scientific elements, including the sacrificial Incan mummy, Winston Churchill's secret plans for unusual aircraft carriers, strange bones that shook Victorian beliefs about the world, and a macabre journey into the depths of the human body. Through these diverse stories, Palin offers an original and unique way of looking at something that is literally all around us, whose loss confronts us daily in the news, but whose impact on our lives has never been fully explored.

A Cold Spell is an extraordinary, comprehensive, and utterly fascinating history of the human experience of the cold stuff. It provides a deep understanding of the ways in which ice has shaped our world and our lives, and encourages us to appreciate the importance of preserving this precious resource for future generations. Whether you are a history enthusiast, a science buff, or simply someone who enjoys a good story, A Cold Spell is a must-read that will leave you enlightened and inspired.

Weight: 564g
Dimension: 161 x 242 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526631190