A helping hand

and fewer fatalities, than during other years because of the reduced number and intensity of landfalling Atlantic hurricanes and the record winter warmth in the Midwest. Perhaps the book’s most important message is that: “The solutions to serious environmental problems will elude us unless we are all aware of, and respect, the profound differences between the world of science and human affairs.” This harks back to C. P. Snow’s lectures on the ‘two cultures’ but with a twist: whereas Snow viewed science and technology as a panacea for solving the world’s great social problems, Philander recognizes that science and technology are only part of the solution. Effective use of scientific information to benefit society must also reckon with prevailing cultural values and political imperatives. Our Affair with El Niño is a very readable, entertaining and instructive book that will appeal to scientists and non-scientists alike. The author does not shy away from controversy in expressing his opinions about the sociological and political aspects of climate research. Whether or not you share his opinions, Philander unquestionably excels at describing the physics of the ocean, the atmosphere and El Niño in lucid terms. ■ Michael J. McPhaden is at the NOAA/Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, Seattle, Washington 98115, USA.