"This book undoubtedly lives up to its billing as The Complete Briefing, comprehensively outlining the many areas encompassed in the debate regarding global warming in a clear, accessible and informative manner that I feel cannot be matched. This new edition was definitely required in light of the advances made in the recent IPCC Assessment Report, and you can really see how that work has been integrated into this updated version. It is an essential resource for anybody wishing to learn more or who is educating students about the vast, complex and interdisciplinary topic of global warming."
Peter M. Abbott, The Holocene
"This book, accurately subtitled The Complete Briefing, summarizes 4,700-plus pages of the latest IPCC assessment. It covers atmospheric physics and past climate variation, explaining the relevancy of paleoclimatic changes to current global warming. The author goes on to describe the increasingly sophisticated climate models and the great differences between them and models for meteorological forecasting. Houghton also explores the impacts expected as the climate warms, including the actions and technologies that might limit those changes. Because the climate is already changing, the author surveys adaptation required of ecosystems and our civilization, even if the causes of climate change are eliminated soon. The book is clearly written, and excellent graphics make the voluminous data understandable to a wide audience. Houghton appropriately dedicates the book to his grandchildren, a viewpoint that policy makers should note ... Highly recommended."
M. K. Cleaveland, Choice