Brings us the story of Alan Davenport (1932-2009), the father of modern wind engineering, who investigated how wind navigates the obstacle course of the earth's natural and built environments - and how, when not properly heeded, wind causes buildings and bridges to teeter unduly, sway with abandon, and even collapse.

With Wind Wizard, Siobhan Roberts brings us the story of Alan Davenport (1932-2009), the father of modern wind engineering, who investigated how wind navigates the obstacle course of the earth's natural and built environments--and how, when not properly heeded, wind causes buildings and bridges to teeter unduly, sway with abandon, and even collapse. Chronicling Davenport's innovations by analyzing select projects, this popular-science book gives an illuminating behind-the-scenes view into the practice of wind engineering, and insight into Davenport's steadfast belief that there is neither a structure too tall nor too long, as long as it is supported by sound wind science.

"An elegant piece of work. . . . Siobhan Roberts' style has literary merit. The narrative flows uniformly. The reader is not jolted by phrases, by fragments singing out of tune. I would not be surprised if she were to try to write novels in the future. After all, what's past is prologue."---Paolo Maria Mariano, Mathematical Reviews