⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 Stars (Excellent)
Setting: India and the United States of America
Genre: Memoir

A Billion Butterflies is a fascinating memoir that blends personal perseverance, scientific discovery, and the complexities of cultural navigation into one compelling narrative. Dr. Jagadish Shukla’s story is nothing short of extraordinary—rising from a childhood in rural India, where his early education took place in a cow shed, to becoming a globally recognized climate scientist whose work revolutionized weather prediction.

What makes this book stand out is its balance between personal anecdotes and scientific achievements. Shukla’s journey is not just about intellect but about resilience, adaptability, and an unwavering passion for understanding the world’s most unpredictable forces. His contributions to modern forecasting have had profound impacts on agriculture, disaster preparedness, and climate change awareness, making this book as relevant as it is inspiring.

While the memoir is deeply engaging, some sections—especially those diving into the technical aspects of meteorology—may feel dense for readers unfamiliar with climate science. Additionally, while I thoroughly enjoyed Shukla’s personal story and respect his contributions to the field, I do not agree with all of his scientific conclusions. That said, his work undeniably shaped modern weather prediction, and his story is one of determination and impact.

A Billion Butterflies is a powerful read for anyone interested in the intersection of science, perseverance, and global influence. Whether or not you align with all of Shukla’s scientific perspectives, his journey is a testament to how one person’s determination can truly change the world.
#netgalley #abillionbutterflies #booked_this_weekend

If you didn’t already know, I love science! It’s always been my favorite subject in school, and my favorite thing to teach my own kids!

As a lover of all things science, I am constantly reading books on the subject, and trying to learn more.

In “A Billion Butterflies” we get to see history of weather prediction unfold. How it came to be, how it was liked and opposed, and how politics always play a hand in what type of decisions are made.

The book tells the story of renowned climate scientist, Dr. Jagadish Shukla, and begins with his life as a child growing up in India. This is probably the part I found most interesting, because throughout the book, the author returns to his hometown again and again, to try to better the lives of the people still living there. Reading about life in rural India is definitely a culture shock if you’re not expecting it. Life is so different from what we see here in America. It was an eye-opening look into the lives of the less fortunate.

While I may not share all of the same beliefs as Dr. Jagadish Shukla, I still felt like I learned a lot reading his book. If you are a fellow weather nerd, it contains a lot of interesting facts on how weather prediction got its start. It’s very well written and holds your interest.

Somehow I ended up with both an audio book and an ebook of this book. I thoroughly enjoyed them both. The audiobook was very easy to listen to. It definitely kept my interest.

I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for my honest unbiased opinion. I rate this book as 4 stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is a DNF for me 40% in. There is just too much talk about climate change and it seems politicized, something I try to stay away from these days.

Thank you for the opportunity to listen to this book.

Since I did not finish the audiobook I will not review it on selling sites or social media.

A Billion Butterflies is a captivating journey through the life and work of Dr. Jagadish Shukla, the man behind modern weather forecasting. I truly enjoyed this book—Dr. Shukla’s personal story is as inspiring as it is unlikely, and the science behind his groundbreaking work was explained in a way that was both accessible and engaging.

My only minor quibble is that I would have preferred a more linear narrative. At times, I found myself a bit unsure of where the timeline was headed. However, this slight disorientation didn’t overshadow the overall experience. The book remains a straightforward and amazing account of a life dedicated to transforming our understanding of weather and climate.

Overall, A Billion Butterflies is a wonderful blend of science and memoir, one that leaves you with a deeper appreciation for the marvels of modern weather prediction and the visionary behind it.

I want to thank NetGalley and MacMillian Audio for the ARC of A Billion Butterflies.

Interesting and well documented, excellent narration of audiobook. Will appeal to people interested in climate science, weather.

This memoir chronicles Dr. Shukla’s journey from the monsoon-soaked fields of rural India to the forefront of climate science. Born into a world devoid of electricity and formal education, he attended classes held in a cow shed, a humble beginning that belies his future contributions to meteorology.

Dr. Shukla is credited with extending the range of weather forecasting beyond the ten-day limit, a feat that has undoubtedly saved countless lives and livelihoods. His work on dynamical seasonal prediction has transformed our understanding of climate variability, allowing for more accurate predictions of weather-induced natural disasters.

The memoir is a blend of personal narrative and scientific discourse, offering insights into the life of a man whose work allows us to feed more people, save lives, and hold on to hope in a warming world.

In sum, “A Billion Butterflies” is a a testament to the power of intellect and perseverance in the face of adversity, and a reminder of the profound impact that one individual can have on our understanding of the natural world. It was an enlightening read but I will say the narration threw me off with the voice. I often read memoirs narrated by the author themselves and I believe I was expecting that or someone of his culture. Nevertheless, it was an informative piece.

A Million Butterflies (A Life in Climate and Chaos Theory) by Dr. Jagadish Shukla
Audio Version
Overall Grade: A-
Information: A-
Writing/Organization: B+
Narration: B+
Best Aspect: Excellent information on climate that for the most part is easy to understand for a non-scientist.
Worst Aspect: Would have like more personal memoir stories just because they were interest not because they didn’t exist.
Recommend: Yes