Waves and Beaches

The Powerful Dynamics of Sea and Coast

By: Willard Bascom, Kim McCoy

Narrated by: Rich Miller

The bestselling classic updated for surfers, sailors, oceanographers, climate activists, and those who love the sea

First published in 1963 and updated in 1979, this classic is an essential handbook for anyone who studies, surfs, protects, or is fascinated by the ocean. Willard Bascom was a master of the subject and included a wealth of information based on theory and statistics, but also anecdotal observation and personal experience. It brought to the general public understanding of the awesome and complex power of the waves.

This revision from Kim McCoy adds recent facts and anecdotes to update the book's relevance in the time of climate change. One of the most significant effects of global warming will be sea-level rise. What will this mean to waves and beaches, and what effects are we already seeing? New text covers events such as the Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004, Hurricane Katrina flooding of 2005, and the 2011 earthquake and resulting devastation in Fukushima.

As well as students, surfers, and the general public, this updated edition of a beloved classic is an essential handbook for climate scientists and ocean activists, providing clear explanations and detailed resources.

©1964 Willard Bascom; Additional text and illustrations copyright 2020 by Kim McCoy (P)2022 Tantor

Interesting

It's always nice to pick up a science book that explores the world around us in terms that non-scientists can understand. This one, as the title indicates, is on how waves and beaches are made and interact with each other. I truly enjoyed it, but I will also admit that there were times in which the authors gave me more science than I wanted. Still, you can always speed up the audiobook or flip through the pages if you feel the same way. If you enjoy learning about nature, you'll probably find this book interesting.

Useful and enlightening!

I spend as much time on the ocean each summer as I can, specifically on the central Oregon coast boating out of Newport’s Yaquina Bay. I built a 30’ boat for these trips and have travelled 50 miles into the ocean, but I also sometimes fish or cruise within a few hundred yards of the beach. I also spent my life in boating safety circles and have examined many fatal boating accidents. If surf fished and climbed jetties and walked many beaches. My next goal is to boat the inside passage to Alaska.

Therefore, the contents of this book were fascinating! I wish I’d read it years ago. The presentation covers so many perspectives. I’ve never surfed but found that information relevant as well.

The narrator does a good, no-nonsense read of the book. The blending of the two authors is well done and provides the up-to-date science along with interesting history.

This book helped me understand what I see when I’m out on the ocean surrounded by nothing but water. The understanding makes me a better captain.