Contents - Preface - 1 Historical survey - 2 The thunderstorm - 2.1. Global distribution of thunderstorms - 2.2. The thundercloud - 2.3. Point-discharge currents - 3. The lightning discharge - 3.1. Temporal development of flash to ground - 3.2. Strokes to tall structures - 3.3. Lightning currents and related parameters - 3.4. Frequency of lightning discharges - 4. The lightning conductor - 4.1. Mechanism of strike - 4.2. Striking distance - 4.3. Protective zone - 4.4. Radio-active lightning conductors - 4.5. Frequency of strikes to a structure - 5 Principles of protection - 5.1 Need for...