Customer Reviews

Waves and Beaches

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is an essential read for anyone who surfs, or is just an avid beach-goer. The author is an absolute master of the subject,and has included a wealth of information, based on theory, statistics, and anecdotal observation . With regard to surfers specifically, Dr. Bascom provides clear and concise information as to why waves form, and why they act the way they do. Being a surfer for 35 years myself, I find it amazing how many others of my ilk do not understand the physics of waves.This book makes it all clear. I truly lament the fact that is out of print.

Waves and Beaches is an informative and even thrilling read for anyone interested in knowing how these things work. It is highly readable and fascinating. Many interesting photos and diagrams. It is a book that should be reissued. A great pleasure to know this book! It's a mainstay of each vacation to the shore and sea.

Bascom is concise, accurate, humorous, amazing. He knows his subject of waves and beaches. The book clearly depicts how waves work at sea and on beaches. It contains great photos and a funny description of surfer talk. A must get for all surfers, kayakers, and amateur oceanographers.

I re-read this book every summer for for years, and it still goes with me to the beach for consultation. My enjoyment of being at the shore has been enormously improved by what I learned from Bascom. I see much more: I understand the changing slope of the beach, how to identify the rip tide locations, and why the ocean changes the way it does day by day. A fascinating and worthwhile book. I wish they'd re-release it.

I just have to concur with the other reviews - as a kayaker and a lover of the oceans I have read and re-read this book many times, and I always learn more. The book is a classic, if they'd re-issue it in hardback I'd buy it in a second!

Although Willard Bascom died in 2000 his work lives on as a testament to him. Get this book, it's a great read.

When the waves crash against the shore, sand is carried away or replaced.
There are cycles and laws involved that have been recorded and scientifically tested.
Engineering of breakwaters and harbor protection
has benefited from these studies.
Geology and sedimentation are also discussed.
The California coast where surfers ply the waves was also where science
studies in this book took place.

This book is a good start for someone wanting to understand the science of wave action on beaches, but this very, very complicated topic requires years of experience and data gathering and further reading than just one book can offer. But it is a good start.

This is one of my favorite popular science books. Bascom knows his stuff and is a great story teller.

I was very pleased that I received this out-of-print book, in excellent condition, for a total cost [including shipping/handling] for less than $10. It arrived via US mail in 5 days. Explains formation of waves due to various causes. Discusses "rough" waves - monstrous waves that can destroy ships; covers surfing waves; beach formation. Clear illustrations and many photographs support the topics covered.Waves and Beaches