Overview

In Tides: The Science and Spirit of the Ocean, writer, sailor, and surfer Jonathan White takes readers across the globe to discover the science and spirit of ocean tides. In the Arctic, White shimmies under the ice with an Inuit elder to hunt for mussels in the dark cavities left behind at low tide; in China, he races the Silver Dragon, a twenty-five-foot tidal bore that crashes eighty miles up the Qiantang River; in France, he interviews the monks that live in the tide-wrapped monastery of Mont Saint-Michel; in Chile and Scotland, he investigates the growth of tidal power generation; and in Panama and Venice, he delves into how the threat of sea level rise is changing human culture—the very old and very new. Tides combines lyrical prose, colorful adventure travel, and provocative scientific inquiry into the elemental, mysterious paradox that keeps our planet’s waters in constant motion. Photographs, scientific figures, line drawings, and sixteen color photos dramatically illustrate this engaging, expert tour of the tides.

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9781595348050

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Reviews

PRAISE FOR TIDES This is not really a book 'about' tides, though tides are a main character. It's about life's literal ups and downs. About mysterious pulls and invisible forces. About rhythms and pulses and seasons and the flowings of vast living migrations along coasts and through deep oceans. Along the way, you learn a lot of things about actual tides. Astounding things that you never knew you didn't know. A wondrous book, full of heart. -- Carl Safina, author of Song for the Blue Ocean and Beyond Words. Jonathan White has the ocean in his veins, and with Tides he has written a gorgeous elegy to its monumental presence, its ageless mystery. A sailor, a surfer, a scientific mind, and a seeker, White goes deep beneath the surface with the grace of a poet. Be prepared for some serious magic when you read these pages. -- Susan Casey, author of The Wave: In Pursuit of the Rogues, Freaks, and Giants of the Ocean Jonathan White's tidal explorations drew me in with just the right mix of science, history, and storytelling, propelled throughout by the author's infectious curiosity and sense of wonder. Beautifully written, impeccably researched, and filled with unexpected connections and discoveries, Tides is a splendid book--highly recommended. -- Thor Hanson, author of Feathers and The Triumph of Seeds I loved this book. Jonathan White weaves the science throughout his travel stories so that the reader is not inundated with mathematical and scientific theories. I recommend it to both scientists and nonscientists. --Sally Warner, PhD in physical oceanography, Oregon State University One of the most fascinating, engaging, relevant, and impeccably brilliant books I have ever read. It has profoundly changed my sense of the earth, the oceans, the sky, and how they are deeply interwoven with the course of human thought and history. -- Richard Nelson, author of The Island Within Newton's death mask, bore tide waves on a Chinese river, a grounded sailboat in Alaska, a French monastery, the slowing of the earth's rotation, world-class surfing, alternative energy, and more come together in Jonathan White's wonderful Tides, a book for every lover of the sea and for those who think--mistakenly--that tables and charts contain everything worth knowing about the perpetual rise and fall of the sea. -- Bill Streever, author of And Soon I Heard a Roaring Wind: A Natural History of Moving Air Tides is easy to read, easy to follow, erudite. White beautifully integrates his personal experience into the science, keeping me grounded in the present as a reader and making the tides not just personal but passionately alive. I expect to read it again and again. Pass it on, recommend it, give it as a gift! -- Pam Loew, Turtleback Books Jonathan White provides us in this fine, fascinating book with a clear understanding of the infinitely complex and wild nature of our planet's tidal forces in all their mystery and beauty. -- Peter Matthiessen, from the foreword PRAISE FOR TALKING ON THE WATER Infused with passion and spirituality, Talking on the Water reminds us that if we abuse nature, we're ultimately abusing ourselves. -- Publishers Weekly An excellent introduction to cutting-edge thinking about the interrelationships between nature and human society ... accessible and pertinent. -- Seattle Times

<b>PRAISE FOR <i>TIDES</i></b> This is not really a book about tides, though tides are a main character. It s about life s literal ups and downs. About mysterious pulls and invisible forces. About rhythms and pulses and seasons and the flowings of vast living migrations along coasts and through deep oceans. Along the way, you learn a lot of things about actual tides. Astounding things that you never knew you didn t know. A wondrous book, full of heart. Carl Safina, author of <i>Song for the Blue Ocean and Beyond Words</i>. Jonathan White has the ocean in his veins, and with <i>Tides</i> he has written a gorgeous elegy to its monumental presence, its ageless mystery. A sailor, a surfer, a scientific mind, and a seeker, White goes deep beneath the surface with the grace of a poet. Be prepared for some serious magic when you read these pages. Susan Casey, author of <i>The Wave: In Pursuit of the Rogues, Freaks, and Giants of the Ocean</i> Jonathan White s tidal explorations drew me in with just the right mix of science, history, and storytelling, propelled throughout by the author s infectious curiosity and sense of wonder. Beautifully written, impeccably researched, and filled with unexpected connections and discoveries, Tides is a splendid bookhighly recommended. Thor Hanson, author of <i>Feathers and The Triumph of Seeds</i> I loved this book. Jonathan White weaves the science throughout his travel stories so that the reader is not inundated with mathematical and scientific theories. I recommend it to both scientists and nonscientists. Sally Warner, PhD in physical oceanography, Oregon State University One of the most fascinating, engaging, relevant, and impeccably brilliant books I have ever read. It has profoundly changed my sense of the earth, the oceans, the sky, and how they are deeply interwoven with the course of human thought and history. Richard Nelson, author of <i>The Island Within</i> Newton s death mask, bore tide waves on a Chinese river, a grounded sailboat in Alaska, a French monastery, the slowing of the earth s rotation, world-class surfing, alternative energy, and more come together in Jonathan White s wonderful Tides, a book for every lover of the sea and for those who thinkmistakenlythat tables and charts contain everything worth knowing about the perpetual rise and fall of the sea. Bill Streever, author of <i>And Soon I Heard a Roaring Wind: A Natural History of Moving Air</i> Tides is easy to read, easy to follow, erudite. White beautifully integrates his personal experience into the science, keeping me grounded in the present as a reader and making the tides not just personal but passionately alive. I expect to read it again and again. Pass it on, recommend it, give it as a gift! Pam Loew, Turtleback Books Jonathan White provides us in this fine, fascinating book with a clear understanding of the infinitely complex and wild nature of our planet s tidal forces in all their mystery and beauty. Peter Matthiessen, from the foreword <b>PRAISE FOR <i>TALKING ON THE WATER</i></b> Infused with passion and spirituality, Talking on the Water reminds us that if we abuse nature, we re ultimately abusing ourselves. <i>Publishers Weekly</i> An excellent introduction to cutting-edge thinking about the interrelationships between nature and human society . . . accessible and pertinent. <i>Seattle Times</i>

REVIEWS Conservationist Jonathan White combines scientific investigation with personal memoir in this solid examination of the nature of tides and waves.  Publishers Weekly Tides: The Science and Spirit of the Ocean offers a grand mix of science history, ocean lore and literary travel writing.  Oregonian A fascinating work of literary nonfiction, rich with characters, stories and scenes from around the globe.  Bangor Daily News White's research makes Tides a fascinating read.  Portland Press Herald Tides is a circumnavigation - tides are simultaneously the protagonist and antagonist. Wrecker of havoc and deus exmachina. And perhaps what's most interesting is White's narrative surrounding how each part of the world has adapted to their unique tidal variations. Tides aspires to inspire a new appreciation for a global natural process that most ocean enthusiasts take for granted.  The Internia As a surfer and sailor, Jonathan White pays attention to tides. But he didn't really understand them until he traveled around the world to meet people and see places where the ebb and flow, the rise and fall, shape lives and tell epic stories. His new nonfiction book, Tides, is the result.  San Diego Union-Tribune Anyone inclined to take the movement of the tides for granted will think twice after reading this wide-ranging study from a conservationist and avid sailor... White's heightened awareness of the planet's cosmic beat is bound to make readers more sensitive to the mysteries of what might otherwise seem commonplace.  Kirkus ReviewsPRAISE FOR TIDES This is not really a book  about' tides, though tides are a main character. It's about life's literal ups and downs. About mysterious pulls and invisible forces. About rhythms and pulses and seasons and the flowings of vast living migrations along coasts and through deep oceans. Along the way, you learn a lot of things about actual tides. Astounding things that you never knew you didn't know. A wondrous book, full of heart.  Carl Safina, author of Song for the Blue Ocean and Beyond Words. Jonathan White has the ocean in his veins, and with Tides he has written a gorgeous elegy to its monumental presence, its ageless mystery. A sailor, a surfer, a scientific mind, and a seeker, White goes deep beneath the surface with the grace of a poet. Be prepared for some serious magic when you read these pages.  Susan Casey, author of The Wave: In Pursuit of the Rogues, Freaks, and Giants of the Ocean Jonathan White's tidal explorations drew me in with just the right mix of science, history, and storytelling, propelled throughout by the author's infectious curiosity and sense of wonder. Beautifully written, impeccably researched, and filled with unexpected connections and discoveries, Tides is a splendid book highly recommended.  Thor Hanson, author of Feathers and The Triumph of Seeds I loved this book. Jonathan White weaves the science throughout his travel stories so that the reader is not inundated with mathematical and scientific theories. I recommend it to both scientists and nonscientists.  Sally Warner, PhD in physical oceanography, Oregon State University One of the most fascinating, engaging, relevant, and impeccably brilliant books I have ever read. It has profoundly changed my sense of the earth, the oceans, the sky, and how they are deeply interwoven with the course of human thought and history.  Richard Nelson, author of The Island Within Newton's death mask, bore tide waves on a Chinese river, a grounded sailboat in Alaska, a French monastery, the slowing of the earth's rotation, world-class surfing, alternative energy, and more come together in Jonathan White's wonderful Tides, a book for every lover of the sea and for those who think mistakenly that tables and charts contain everything worth knowing about the perpetual rise and fall of the sea.  Bill Streever, author of And Soon I Heard a Roaring Wind: A Natural History of Moving Air Tides is easy to read, easy to follow, erudite. White beautifully integrates his personal experience into the science, keeping me grounded in the present as a reader and making the tides not just personal but passionately alive. I expect to read it again and again. Pass it on, recommend it, give it as a gift!  Pam Loew, Turtleback Books Jonathan White provides us in this fine, fascinating book with a clear understanding of the infinitely complex and wild nature of our planet's tidal forces in all their mystery and beauty.  Peter Matthiessen, from the foreword

Author Information

"Jonathan White is an active marine conservationist, a sailor, and a surfer. His first book, Talking on the Water: Conversations about Nature and Creativity, is a collection of interviews exploring our relationship with nature and features Gretel Ehrlich, David Brower, Ursula K. Le Guin, Gary Snyder, Peter Matthiessen, and others. White has written for the Christian Science Monitor, The Sun, Orion, Surfer's Journal, and other publications. He holds an MFA in creative nonfiction and lives with his wife and son on a small island in Washington State. Peter Matthiessen (May 22, 1927--April 5, 2014) was an American novelist, naturalist, wilderness writer, and CIA agent. A co-founder of the Paris Review, he was a 2008 National Book Award winner. He was also an environmental activist. His nonfiction, notably The Snow Leopard, featured nature and travel, as well as American Indian issues and history, including his study of the Leonard Peltier case, In the Spirit of Crazy Horse. His early story story ""Travelin' Man"" was made into the film The Young One directed by Luis Bunuel, and his novel At Play in the Fields of the Lord was made into a 1991 film. He lived in Sagaponak, New York."

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