What kee ps us from fl ying off the spinning earth? Gravity, you say? But what if gravity has an invisible partner — a powerful force that explains why clouds float, what triggers rainfall, and how birds fly? Could such a force reside in electrical charge? Renowned scientist and author, Gerald Pollack returns with a paradigm-shifting exploration into the profound significance of electricity in nature. Pollack addresses everyday phenomena we often take for granted, revealing a complex web of contradictions. In response, he presents a fresh vision, demonstrating how a simple, direct understanding emerges from recognizing the power of electrical charge. Topics covered range from the origins of weather and gravity to how birds and airplanes fly, and how fish swim. You'll also learn what turns the Earth every 24 hours — and even how sailboats can sail almost directly into the wind. ​"Delightfully illustrated and perspicuously written, Charged uncovers and untangles spellbinding anomalies of everyday life -- from the unexpected origin of clouds, winds and raindrops to that of falling and flying of objects, animals, and machines -- through the pervasive role of electrical attraction and repulsion in the natural world. Pollack's proposal is profoundly simple, bold, original, democratic, relevant, and grounded. This book shall captivate children and Nobel laureates alike." --Alex Gómez-Marín, professor of the Spanish Research Council and director of the Pari Center in Italy " Charged forces you to walk through the world with eyes a lot more open than before; you cannot unsee the many observations once pointed out. It presents a mind-boggling series of paradoxes that scientists seemingly worked around for decades without questioning what now seem to be mere assumptions rather than proven concepts. The material in the book has the potential to be the source of many disruptive technologies across a wide area of applications." --Achim Hoffmann, PhD, CEO of Ocane Ltd. " Charged is the book I seriously wish had been available before I entered engineering school many years ago. It is a marvelously readable tour through the underpinnings of how our reality appears to work -- that often flies in the face of convention ... But always makes great sense. Absolutely brilliant!" --John L. Petersen, Founder and President of the Arlington Institute " Charged presents a cogent case for alternative theses that challenge the generally accepted theories describing some well-known, but not necessarily well understood phenomena. The theses delve into details that are not always present in the accepted theories and are certainly worthy of serious consideration and further study." --Susan Schirott, The Thunderbolts Project "A lot of my culinary creativity and insight is inspired by my motto: question everything. Gerald Pollack is an explorer and visionary who figures out the fundamental questions we all need answers to (even if we haven't realized it yet) and explains them with lucidity and clarity. Charged will open your eyes, your mind and your understanding." --Heston Blumenthal, award-winning chef, cookbook author and restaurateur, including 3-Michelin-Star The Fat Duck "A reminder that the true purpose of science is to understand and appreciate the true workings of nature. Charged continues this exploration. It redirects focus to matters that should have been the center of attention long ago." --Ari Pentilla, CEO of Prorink "Another foundational book from Gerald Pollack. In this new work, Pollack builds on his discoveries of charge separation in water to extend straight out to the edge of the cosmos. Understanding electrical charges as a veritable counterforce to gravity gives us a new future to shape. This is the next textbook for all our science. I read it with glee. Every new revelation about how Nature works came with a satisfying "click" that made sense. Read it in little "sips" to hold on to the unveiling of wonder." --Gina Bria, Founder of Hydration Foundation "Another proof of Pollack's open mind to look at common phenomena with fresh eyes and question the status quo. And again a very pleasant read, with a very didactic and fun writing style. A must read for students, who should know that what they are taught may not yet be the ultimate truth, and to urge them to explore." --Everine van de Kraats, PhD, Founder and Director of World Water Lab and World Water Community "Gerald Pollack has done it again! Pollack guides us masterfully through the complex topic of electrical charge and how it impacts life as we know it. Painting a completely new picture with compelling and captivating writing, Charged is a must-read book for anyone interested in science!" --Catherine Clintion, Naturopathic Physician, Author, Speaker "Gerald Pollack is one of my favorite scientists. He asks penetrating questions about everyday phenomena, like clouds, the rotation of the earth and the flight