Ball lightning is an enigma. These luminous objects that appear occasionally during thunderstorms and can reach several meters in diameter have been a mystery to science for about 200 years. Despite several thousands of reported observations, their nature is still unknown. In this book, well documented cases of ball lightning are described and used to unravel some aspects of this mysterious form of atmospheric electricity. Throughout the book, the author discusses the various facets of the problem in an accessible but rigorous style, delivering a readable and informative text that will captivate the curious reader. He finally reaches the surprising conclusion that the solution to this puzzle may have been hidden in plain sight for many years. 

A foreword by Earle Williams, leading lightning researcher at MIT, introduces the book.

"This very readable and informative work is well constructed ? . At the end of each chapter Boerner gives a bullet-point summary of all the important points discussed in that chapter; this I found invaluable. ? Anyone with a background in physics and mathematics will easily be able to follow Boerner's informative text. I will go as far as saying anyone with a curious mind, even without the background knowledge, will find it difficult to put this book down." (Graham Denye, Weather, June 8, 2021)