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J. Andrew G. Cooper

The World's Beaches: A Global Guide to the Science of the Shoreline Paperback – Illustrated, July 26, 2011

by Orrin H. Pilkey (Author), William J. Neal (Author), James Andrew Graham Cooper (Author),

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Take this book to the beach; it will open up a whole new world. Illustrated throughout with color photographs, maps, and graphics, it explores one of the planet’s most dynamic environments―from tourist beaches to Arctic beaches strewn with ice chunks to steaming hot tropical shores. The World’s Beaches tells how beaches work, explains why they vary so much, and shows how dramatic changes can occur on them in a matter of hours. It discusses tides, waves, and wind; the patterns of dunes, washover fans, and wrack lines; and the shape of berms, bars, shell lags, cusps, ripples, and blisters. What is the world’s longest beach? Why do some beaches sing when you walk on them? Why do some have dark rings on their surface and tiny holes scattered far and wide? This fascinating, comprehensive guide also considers the future of beaches, and explains how extensively people have affected them―from coastal engineering to pollution, oil spills, and rising sea levels.

Print length

302 pages
Language

English
Publisher

University of California Press
Publication date

July 26, 2011
Dimensions

7 x 0.8 x 10 inches
ISBN-10

0520268725
ISBN-13

978-0520268722
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“A comprehensive, readable guide to the physical features of many kinds of beaches and some of the threats they face.” ― New York Times Published On: 2011-08-16

“A well-illustrated introduction to the geology and ecology of beaches.” ― Scienceblogs.com/The Guardian Published On: 2011-07-18

“If one wonders how beach systems work and cares about the future, then this is the book to own, read, and share.” -- PR Pinet ― Choice Published On: 2012-01-01

“This book has a wide appeal. . . . Written in an engaging style.” ― Reference & Research Book News / Scitech Book News Published On: 2011-10-01

From the Inside Flap

"Beaches occupy a magical place in the human consciousness. We fish from their tidal waters, run with our children on the cushioning sands and dream of what waits over life's horizon as we gather for a sunset. But there is much more to be known of these coastal wonderlands. Learn in The World's Beaches their critical function as a delicate ecosystem, how to read the signs left by winds, waves, plants and animals of the beach. Discover the surprising ways our irreplaceable beaches are increasingly threatened and what must be done to save them."Rob Lowe, Actor

Ask 100 people their views about beaches and you'll get 100 love stories. We all love the beach. The World's Beaches delivers a comprehensive view into what a beach is, why it exists and how they are increasingly at risk."Jim Moriarty, CEO Surfrider Foundation

"Read this book and you'll never look at a beach in the same way. From waves and crab tracks, to sand, gravel and climate change, this book is filled with engrossing details to remind humankind of its enduring love of beaches worldwide.Miles O. Hayes, Coastal Geomorphologist, Research Planning, Inc.

Beach visitors around the world will want to own this superb collection of images and explanations of how the beach works. Its a must-read book for anyone wanting to know more about these dynamic natural resources.Robert A. Morton, United States Geological Survey (USGS)

"We now have an outstanding, lively, readable, well illustrated and thorough resource to lead us towards a deeper understanding of the how beaches form and function and what we should be concerned for in their future. This book should be everyones pillow and companion for the day at the beach."Dr. Harold R. Wanless, University of Miami

"The more you know about a place the more you will learn to love it, and want to protect it. The photos and captions alone in this book will gain you a great new appreciation of these precious coastlines."Yvon Chouinard, owner, Patagonia, Inc.

From the Back Cover

"Beaches occupy a magical place in the human consciousness. We fish from their tidal waters, run with our children on the cushioning sands and dream of what waits over life's horizon as we gather for a sunset. But there is much more to be known of these coastal wonderlands. Learn in The World's Beaches their critical function as a delicate ecosystem, how to read the signs left by winds, waves, plants and animals of the beach. Discover the surprising ways our irreplaceable beaches are increasingly threatened and what must be done to save them."―Rob Lowe, Actor

“Ask 100 people their views about beaches and you'll get 100 love stories. We all love the beach. The World's Beaches delivers a comprehensive view into what a beach is, why it exists and how they are increasingly at risk."―Jim Moriarty, CEO Surfrider Foundation

"Read this book and you'll never look at a beach in the same way. From waves and crab tracks, to sand, gravel and climate change, this book is filled with engrossing details to remind humankind of its enduring love of beaches worldwide.”―Miles O. Hayes, Coastal Geomorphologist, Research Planning, Inc.

“Beach visitors around the world will want to own this superb collection of images and explanations of how the beach works. It’s a must-read book for anyone wanting to know more about these dynamic natural resources.”―Robert A. Morton, United States Geological Survey (USGS)

"We now have an outstanding, lively, readable, well illustrated and thorough resource to lead us towards a deeper understanding of the how beaches form and function and what we should be concerned for in their future. This book should be everyone’s pillow and companion for the day at the beach."―Dr. Harold R. Wanless, University of Miami

"The more you know about a place the more you will learn to love it, and want to protect it. The photos and captions alone in this book will gain you a great new appreciation of these precious coastlines."―Yvon Chouinard, owner, Patagonia, Inc.

About the Author

Orrin H. Pilkey is the James B. Duke Professor of Earth and Ocean Sciences and Director Emeritus of the Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines at Duke University. He is the author of A Celebration of the World’s Barrier Islands, among other books. William J. Neal is Emeritus Professor of Geology at Grand Valley State University and coauthor, with Orrin Pilkey, of How to Read a North Carolina Beach: Bubble Holes, Barking Sands, and Rippled Runnels. Joseph T. Kelley is a Professor of Marine Geology at the University of Maine and Chair of the Earth Science Department. He is a co-author with Orrin Pilkey and William Neal of Atlantic Coast Beaches.Andrew Cooper is Professor of Coastal Studies and head of Coastal Research in the School of Environmental Sciences at the University of Ulster in Northern Ireland.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ University of California Press; First edition (July 26, 2011)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 302 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0520268725
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0520268722
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.8 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7 x 0.8 x 10 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,087,875 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #228 in Coastal Ecosystems
- #297 in Oceanography (Books)
- #348 in Artic Polar Region Travel Guides

Customer Reviews:
20 ratings

Customer reviews

5 star		76%
4 star		10%
3 star		6%
2 star 0% (0%)		0%
1 star		8%

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Top reviews from the United States

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David Martin

Text, with lots of pictoral support

Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2012

Verified Purchase

If you want beach knowledge for beachgoers and especially swimmers, the first choice would be Robert Brander's "Dr Rip's Essential Beach Book: everything you need to know about surf, sand and rips", which happens to be the best guide to rip currents for the general public, and even has a brief and funny guide to driving on the beach.

"The World's Beaches" focuses on beaches themselves. Part I on the global character of beaches explains what materials are they made of, how they are different from one another (the book has a quick, tidy discussion of how beaches are classified), waves and currents, and considerably more. Part II, on how to read a beach, is a marvel. The abundant color photographs and illustrations draw you into all sorts of features of beaches. Some might be familiar, but I think that to most of us, there will be lots of surprises. I'm pretty certain that if you get to maybe page 30 (with 2 photos of beaches and a diagram), you will likely finish the book and pick up far more coastal geology and biology than you expected. You'll be a much better beach observer, too.

I cannot overstate the value of the photos and other illustrations. Geologists have a very long tradition of communicating with drawings and photos, and this is an impressive collection, truly global in scope. Publication was assisted by a grant from a private foundation. A list of selected references is useful.

From "The World's Beaches", the next geological step up might be a lavishly illustrated and expensive college textbook like "Beaches and Coasts" by Richard A. Davis Jr and Duncan M. Fitzgerald. Surfers would like "Surf Science: introduction to waves for surfing" by Tony Butt and Paul Russell.

11 people found this helpful

Helpful

Crystal Meisenholder

Very educational - a textbook more than a casual read.

Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2020

Verified Purchase

Very educational - so much more than I expected - much like a textbook.

Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2018

Verified Purchase

As geographer I can define this book no so technical but very interesting and clearly written, with a lot of photos.
A book for all people thats love Nature.

Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2017

Verified Purchase

An outstanding book.

Helpful

Naplesandman

A pretty book but rather boring.

Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2013

Verified Purchase

Great photos and illustrations but too much technical information on beach formation and degradation. As a collector of sand I was hoping for more information regarding the great variation of beach composition.

2 people found this helpful

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CharlIe Williamson

The Worlds Beachaes

Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2011

Verified Purchase

Bought this book for my sister-in laws birthday>> Sorry no Review from me..
I am sory that I did not read this book, but I gave it as a Gift>

One person found this helpful

Helpful

lyndonbrecht

A fine intruduction. The science is not always an easy part to read.

Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2015

If you are looking for a book on beaches as resorts, read another book. This book addresses how different kinds of beaches are formed. The interaction of waves, wind and parent material is the mechanism, and it is quite complex.

Beaches are dynamic systems, literally continually changing. The addition of human use of beaches alters the dynamism, resulting in currents that erode the beach. Human use of beaches often involves trying to make beaches permanent, over time mostly an exercise in futility. Beaches are not going to pay attention to things like structures, property or preferences of hotels and vacationers.

I found some aspects of the book to be a little difficult, in the complicated dynamism described. But I understand it better after having read this book. Some nice illustrations. And a feel that the future of beaches as living systems is not good.

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Amtrak

A comprehensive coverage of the topic

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 17, 2013

Verified Purchase

Very attractively produced and very comprehensive cover of the topic. The book now sits on my bookshelf on the North Atlantic coast of Northern Ireland within the sight and sound of the coast-forming waves.

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