Black Balloon Surprise Guest Speaker
And some nice feedback ...
Photographed speaking at the book-launch of “Saving our Skins”. My son Hamish said it can’t be me though, my head would have been far too big to be obscured by a single balloon that evening. It was a nice event. Plenty of guests, and lots of books sold. The decorative balloons and umbrella are a nod to Lauder’s research on atmospheric ozone and UV.
As I said at the debrief event yesterday, publishing “Saving our Skins” has been one of the most satisfying experiences of my career. A true highlight made so by a lot of positive feedback, especially from my peers.
I haven’t seen any formal reviews of the book yet, so I’ve included a few of those comments below. Please excuse the self-indulgence. I hope the writers will forgive me too, I haven’t sought their permission (so if some disappear from the blog post-of-record, you’ll know why - and more are welcome as potential replacements too).
The book launch was the idea of Alexandra resident poet, Michael Harlow, who organised a local (apolitical) group called the “Poetry Party” to host the event. The first two quotes below are taken from speeches at the launch.
Michael Harlow, Poet and recipient of the 2018 New Zealand Prime Minister’s Award for Literary Achievement'. “… it’s not only a laudable ‘Science story’ but it is a ‘human story. This is ‘science with a heart’, and compassion, and science with a ‘human face’.
Greg Bodeker, Director - Bodeker Scientific at the book launch in Alexandra. “… this is a wonderful book that Richard has written. It is honest and entertaining and personal. It is everything that Richard is. And much of Richard’s amazing story happened just up the road.”
The next group is from unsolicited responses e-mailed back to me from readers.
Rob Ballagh, Emeritus Professor of Physics, Otago University. “….you have a very interesting story, told with a lovely light touch. I am very pleased to see your personality and humour come through, along with your frank straightshooting…. There is also enough meat in the Science to make me feel I understand the issues and how you made your measurements.”
David Fahey, Director, Earth System Research Laboratories, NOAA, USA. “Very enjoyable and informative book. Your personal and open style make it very engaging. I was saddened to learn about the loss of your son. The backstories of the growth and evolution of Lauder science and your contributions were very interesting. I actually learned a lot about UV that I didn’t know.”
Gary Davis, ex Director James Clerk Maxwell Telescope, Hawaii and the Square Kilometre Array, Jodrell Bank, UK. “Can I just say at the outset that I really enjoyed it. Although we’ve known each other for decades, I haven’t really followed your career, so it was fascinating to find out what you’ve been up to all these years.”
Mario Blumthaler, Emeritus Professor, University of Innsbruck, Austria. “..I did enjoy very much reading your book. It is very authentic, sometimes when reading I had the feeling I could hear you speaking. The development of the station in Lauder associated with your activities is impressive and I also share all your comments about the 'merchants of doubt' and deniers. I find it also striking that your book could be so up-to-date to include your recent work related to covid-19 distributions.”
Keith Solomon, Emeritus Professor, University of Guelph, Canada “…and am enjoying the book. Two reasons, the topic is interesting and as I read it, I can hear you saying the words, the puns, and the dry wit.”
Andrew Matthews, Section Head of Lauder 1992-2003. “Really enjoyed reading your book!! What a great effort and really neat to have a formal record of all that activity and involvement.”
Hazel Stedman, Cambridge Graduate and wife of the late Professor Don Stedman, University of Denver. Both friends of Lauder since their visit in 1981. “Thank you for writing 'Saving our Skins'. I enjoyed reading it …. At times I could almost hear you telling me the words I was reading. I truly appreciate your contributions to the Montreal Protocol.”
Lars Olof Björn, Emeritus Professor, University of Lund, Sweden. “Thank you for all the chapters of ‘Saving our skins’.” (he stayed the whole nine yards, reading every chapter of the early version that was online here at substack).
Cass Jack, Local Radio Central interview, “It’s as much a love affair with Central Otago as it is with the science. It’s got this beautiful history of Lauder and surrounds …”
..and finally, perhaps it was just a nightmare from a twit tweeting on Twitter ….
Anonymous (name withheld for security reasons), but reputedly the WORST POTUS IN AMERICAN HISTORY!! “Tremendous. Truly tremendous. And nobody knows more about this stuff than me. It’s tremendous, truly.”
Just kidding. He’d actually hate it of course. And what better advertisement could I ask for?
If you read the book and like(d) it, please add your review at Amazon.com.
I still have about 40 copies for sale of the New Zealand edition left. In the inimitable words of Dean Martin, ‘keep those cards and letters (read emails) coming in’.