A few pages on a website (Lightning and Thunderstorms) may be enough to for a general view of
how lightning forms, and you can find out how to Detect Lightning, or even become a Lightning Tracker. But lightning is such a visual thing (and the
audio is pretty good too), that mere words can't do it justice.
Fortunately there are several other resources which will go
a long way towards expanding your knowledge and appreciation
of lightning and thunderstorms - most notably DVDs, Videos
and books, together with a small but high quality selection
of photos, prints and posters.
DVDs And Videos
Before buying any video or DVD, please make sure that it is in
a suitable format for your country, and has been released there.
All titles referred to here are available in the USA and Canada.
Check the availability of any titles you are interested in
at outlets in your own part of the world.
There is a small but highly regarded range of DVDs and videos
covering most aspects of lightning, from the lightning
investigators to the most spectacular lightning displays.
Lightning also forms part of the material on more general
weather and extreme weather sets.
Material from A&E and the History Channel is the most
varied, and this applies to most weather topics. Older material
may only be available on video, while later productions are on
DVD or both. It is unlikely that you will find this material
elsewhere.
Struck By Lightning VHS
. An unusual and rather scary doco on how and where people were
struck by lightning, and how they coped with their injuries. VHS only.
Discovery Channel Store
A couple of DVDs can be found here. An interesting one is
Planet Storm DVD
, which investigates the question of how storms observed on
other planets would appear if let loose on earth. Scary stuff,
which also provides good insights into how weather works.
Discovery Channel has a reasonable range of weather videos and DVDs,
and heaps of other interesting stuff, but their prices on DVDs can
often be beaten elsewhere
DVD Empire
DVD Empire also has a good range of hurricane DVDs and videos.
The ones listed here are at the best price I've seen, but
things change rapidly in the DVD scene. They carry a good
range of National Geographic products.
Amazon has several lightning and storm DVDs and videos, but only
one I have not seen elsewhere at a better price. But things
change quickly there and it is always worth a look.
Lethal Lightning
This is quite an old production now available on DVD. Last
time I looked prices started at $1.00
Books
When it comes to books it's hard to beat Amazon.
Lightning is not the most popular subject for authors, but these
few titles are a high quality lot for adults and children.
Lightning
Written for children, Grades 1-5. Great Pictures.
All About Lightning
This has been around for a while but is still a very good
treatment of lightning, more for adults.
Lightning is a great subject for artists and photographers,
and a good range of stunning photos, posters and prints are
available. Most of the material from the two outlets below
can be obtained in a range of sizes, at varying prices.
Keep a look out for specials and discounts as well. Both
distributors have much bigger lists on the topic, and as
your taste is probably different to mine, it may be
worth searching further through their catalogue.