Ray Jardine wrote Beyond Backpacking, I read it in 2004 and it set me off backpacking lightweight having not done any with a traditional heavy pack; therefore I didn't have to replace gear to get light, though I have since to get lighter.
The book has been updated and is well worth a read. I know from discussions I had in the US he is not universally respected as he does give basics and can be accused of treating us as know nowts. I re read bits of the book all the time as it is so useful.
Our man Nicholas Crane on the TV Coast is a brolly devotee. As said before I use a brolly at times and stating the obvious you just don't get wet, no problem with ventilation, whereas all other rain gear gets wet but endeavours to keep you dry inside.