"Wind Wizardis a masterpiece of science writing at its best: informative, interesting, and entertaining. I warmly recommend it to anyone interested in the important issues of our time. Roberts is one of our best writers on science and mathematics today."--Amir Aczel, author ofFermat's Last Theorem: Unlocking the Secret of an Ancient Mathematical Problem "Roberts has a rare gift for writing about technical matters without oversimplifying (and thus annoying the scientists) or becoming too abstruse (and thus putting off her readers). InWind Wizard, that admirable balance is deftly used to create a fascinating portrait of a little-known scientist who was a giant in his field--a story which also serves as cautionary tale for a world apparently confronting ever more severe weather."--Marq de Villiers, author ofWindswept: The Story of Wind and Weather "This accessible book describes the accomplishments of the wind engineer Alan Davenport, who was instrumental in introducing the use of models and wind tunnel testing for tall-building and long-span-bridge design. In following Davenport's career,Wind Wizardprovides an excellent overview of wind engineering for general readers."--Henry Petroski, author ofThe Essential Engineer: Why Science Alone Will Not Solve Our Global Problems "This captivating and compelling biography looks at the life of Alan Davenport, and his significant contributions to wind engineering. Highlighting Davenport's unique approach and technical prowess, this book delves into the behind-the-scenes engineering on major architectural construction projects, such as the Twin Towers. A satisfying read."--Drew Landman, Old Dominion University