This volume investigates the fundamental mechanisms of the Earth's climate system and provides a comprehensive assessment of the state of the climate during the late 20th century. H. H. Lamb, a pioneering climatologist and founder of the Climatic Research Unit, synthesizes decades of meteorological data to establish a baseline for understanding climatic variability. The work argues that climate is a dynamic, ever-changing system influenced by both natural cycles and emerging anthropogenic factors, establishing a rigorous framework for long-term environmental analysis.

Experts recognize this work as a foundational text in the field of historical climatology due to Lamb's extensive use of empirical data. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which serves as a primary reference for students and researchers studying climate history.