The Wave

In Pursuit of the Rogues, Freaks and Giants of the Ocean

By: Susan Casey

Narrated by: Kirsten Potter

From Susan Casey, bestselling author of The Devil’s Teeth, an astonishing book about colossal, ship-swallowing rogue waves and the surfers who seek them out.

For centuries, mariners have spun tales of gargantuan waves, 100-feet high or taller. Until recently scientists dis​missed these stories - waves that high would seem to violate the laws of physics. But in the past few decades, as a startling number of ships vanished and new evidence has emerged, oceanographers realized something scary was brewing in the planet’s waters. They found their proof in February 2000, when a British research vessel was trapped in a vortex of impossibly mammoth waves in the North Sea - including several that approached 100 feet.

As scientists scramble to understand this phenomenon, others view the giant waves as the ultimate challenge. These are extreme surfers who fly around the world trying to ride the ocean’s most destructive monsters. The pioneer of extreme surfing is the legendary Laird Hamilton, who, with a group of friends in Hawaii, figured out how to board suicidally large waves of 70 and 80 feet. Casey follows this unique tribe of peo​ple as they seek to conquer the holy grail of their sport, a 100-​foot wave.

In this mesmerizing account, the exploits of Hamilton and his fellow surfers are juxtaposed against scientists’ urgent efforts to understand the destructive powers of waves - from the tsunami that wiped out 250,000 people in the Pacific in 2004 to the 1,740-foot-wave that recently leveled part of the Alaskan coast.

Like Jon Krakauer’s Into Thin Air, The Wave brilliantly portrays human beings confronting nature at its most ferocious.

©2010 Susan Casey (P)2010 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Something is stewing in our seas, and Susan Casey - traveling, and in some cases swimming, all around the world - is eager to find out what it is. Both a rollicking look at the ocean’s growing freakishness and a troubling examination of our ailing planet, The Wave gives new meaning to the term ‘immersion reporting.’” (Hampton Sides, author of Hellhound on His Trail, Blood and Thunder, and Ghost Soldiers)

“At once scary and fun, The Wave surprises at every turn.” (Elizabeth Kolbert, author of Field Notes from a Catastrophe)

“Like the surfers and scientists she profiles, Casey lived and breathed giant waves for years. Casey combines an insane passion for craft with an uncanny ability to describe the indescribable. In The Wave she whisks the reader off to unimaginably surreal settings and puts them in the middle of mind-blowing scenarios. This book sucked me in like the undertow at Pipeline.” (Mary Roach, author of Stiff and Packing for Mars)

great narrator

The narrator is perfect for this book, she really makes it comes alive. Probably the best narration I've ever heard.

Entertaining

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

This book was a good "time off" from more mentally challenging reads. It has interesting parts although at times the "awsomeness" of the watermen and their heroics is a bit repetitive and overdone. They are certainly people that are passionate about what they do and are completely honest about it but, bottom line, they ride those monsters out of free will. I personally found more interesting the parts regarding rescue teams and other water professionals and I think the book could have given those a bit more attention.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

She could have been more forgiving about the "dude talk" of certain characters.

Was The Wave worth the listening time?

Yes it was, I enjoyed it.

Any additional comments?

The book was fun and it gives some easy insight on several topics regarding climate change and hazards at sea. Also the stories of some wave riding accomplishments are honestly fun to listen to and I couldn't help feeling respect for all the book's characters. The narrator does a good job even considering the "dude" parts. I gave three overall stars due the lack of a message... or maybe I didn't get it, so I suggest you try read it if you haven't.
You will enjoy it.

Meh...

I guess the topic itself it a tough one to cover, but this mix of a little science and a lot of surfer worship just never got under my skin the way "Born To Run" did. The narrator's style wasn't my favorite either; her management of Spanish words and translations in particular made my teeth hurt.

Not a clue

This is an immensely entertaining and gripping book. I loved hearing the stories, learning the small amount of science, and feeling the awe of the author. But the narrator! So bad. The problem is that she has no, zero, idea what Laird Hamilton and his crew sound like. I've only seen Step Into Liquid, but I know that these guys sound nothing like the chill surfer dudes the narrator lazily chose to characterize them as. Every time she related their dialogue I cringed at her generalized dude voice. Do note that the book is largely about these surfers and not much about anything else. As enthralled as I was with the surf stories, I wanted more science and more history. Ah well.

The Wave blows you away

The Wave is an exciting and interesting read, full of great ocean and wave stories. As Susan Casey travels the world with surfers and scientists tracking big waves, freak waves and exploring the reasons for their existence, we gain an understanding of the world of water, its energy and spirit.
Packed with fascinating and well researched information, the book is presented in a personable style. Casey is always respectful of the ocean and the people whose stories are linked with it.

Totally enjoyable in every way!

From every perspective, this is a fantastic book. It is a non-fictional book, with the interest and fun of a fictional one. The narrator has a authorative voice for the non-fiction aspect and a authentic voice for the accents she gives the stories real life characters: everyone from the marine scientists, to the Lloyds of London insurance agents and to the surfers that have ridden these previously unconfirmed giant rogue ocean waves. Instantly became one of my favorite books. I highly recommend it to everyone, with and without a science education or background.

Great ride

This was a fun read for a life long mariner! Fast passed and well written.

Amazing book - drop the accents!

Love this book, I have read it several times, and am now onto multiple listens. Susan Casey is amazing at weaving a truly informative narrative.
The narration… great - but for the love of all things (and this applies to almost every American narrator) give up on Australian accents. YOU CANT DO THEM AND ITS BEYOND CRINGE WHEN YOU TRY AND FAIL!

Great data. Almost zero cultural awareness.

Incorrect pronunciations and exclusions of women abound. I hope the author will consider revising this book with updated and more inclusive language. It’s awful to think how women tow-surfers must feel listening to this. It’s like Ms. Casey doesn’t know they exist. And please, just ask someone from the places you’re talking about how they pronounce their own names. Haleakala, for instance.

The Power of Those Waves!

The Wave is an informative read and a lesson in ecology. The mix of science and first hand stories from surfers captured my attention from the very first chapter. The statistics in this book amazed me. The unbelievable size and power of the "rogue" waves and the huge numbers of ships lost at sea every year quite simply astounded me. On the down side, Casey seems rather obsessed with Laird Hamilton's rippling abs. At times, she moved into the realm of a Mills & Boon romance. But that aside, I did find the book a worthwhile read. The narration was good except for a few mispronunciations that grated on the nerves a little. I recommend The Wave as an easy read and a mostly pleasant listen.