Tides: The Science and Spirit of the Ocean

This book is a treasure that can’t quite be categorized. In plain language and clear drawings, it teaches quite a lot about the tides, how they work, and why they are so much stronger and weaker at different times and at different places. Yet the book is so much more: a travel memoir of adventures to faraway places (the coast of Normandy, a river in China, an Inuit village near the Arctic Circle, to name a few) and cultural history that deepens our understanding of the scientific discoveries and, for this non-scientist reader, makes the science accessible and a pleasure to learn. And finally, the book opens into questions of energy consumption and climate change, leaving the reader pondering our human capacity to solve problems, perhaps in part through the energy of the tides.Jonathan White has clearly gone where few of us would dare: over a river wall to await the arrival of a 25-foot wave, where he will have 10 seconds’ notice to make a climb back out that requires 7 seconds; under a thick ceiling of ice in the Arctic to gather mussels with an Inuit hunter at low tide; venturing along on a small skiff into churning waters in the Pacific Northwest. The tales he tells are gripping, wonderful to read aloud to family members. Yet the voice in which he writes is not so much that of a bold adventurer but of a humble and curious seeker. His reverence for the natural world and his wonder at the role of the tides within it will vibrate with the reader after the last paragraph has been read.

This is a finely written work on an interesting and complex subject. Eminently readable which is quite an accomplishment on this subject. I could have used a little more comprehensive science in the discussions of what really makes tides behave as they do, but that's just me.

This book was hard to put down! Not only did I learn about tides, I learned so much about moon cycles (I didn't know that every full moon rises around the time the sun sets even though I've observed it many times) and mind-blowing stuff like how the friction of the waves against the shore slow down the earth's rotation and push away the moon. All told in an engaging way. Great stories of intimately knowing the ocean in an observational, first-hand way by those whose survival depends on it, and then all the science of it. He even touched on the interaction of science and mystical knowledge as the scientists were discovering that formless force called gravity. It covered everything I wanted to know about the tides and much more, and I was a biology major. I bought this book to do an independent study tide project with my kids on a trip and it gave me so many great ideas of observational projects to do. Surpassed my expectations by far. One warning, if you get excited about it like I did, you might annoy your kids by telling them interesting facts about the tides and the moon every night at dinner while you are reading it. I just couldn't help myself, it was that fascinating.

If you like informative non-fiction with historical refernces and the SEA! this is a great book. Very well written, the author is THE experienced sailor. I have read this book several times and decided to buy the hard cover to supplement my Kindle version. I love the ocean and learning about life near and in the ocean. This is a well written, informative, entertaining book.

Who knew there was a tide in China that comes in so big, fast and furious that one could actually surf it?? This book has really opened my eyes to something that I previously gave little thought. I thought that I knew the basics but had not witnessed any extraordinary tides, just the practically imperceptible ones on the beaches of Mexico and California. Now I have certainly added a few to my bucket list! Jonathan White's book makes the tides and currents easy for the lay-person to understand. The first hand stories are incredible. Jonathan has gone to many interesting places and done many interesting things for his research. He engages the locals to find out how the tides affect their daily lives. Not only is it an adventure story, but also something that one would keep around to for future reference. Overall, interesting, informative and fun read!

The author’s use of language is beautiful and his personal experiences and reflections are worth the read. When he gets into the science of tides it’s interesting but sometimes difficult to follow and understand.

TIDES is a wonderfully-engaging, entertaining, and informative book. I had been under the impression that I understood the basic nature and cause of oceanic tides, but White’s book provides a whole new level of understanding, appreciation of and deference for the role of the dynamic waters of the ocean. White describes how the movement of the planet’s oceans are extraordinarily complex, inexorable, almost mystifying and idiosyncratic to the local geography and topography. The reader of TIDES not only comes away with a rich understanding and…especially…a deep respect for the power of oceanic tides, but given White’s many engaging stories about his personal adventures while exploring the extremes of tides’ unbelievable antics around the globe, comes away with a sense that either (s)he’s been there, or…in my case…wants to go there to share in the discovery of the majesty and power of tides.

Jonathan White takes on a fascinating subject with the joy of a surfer,m a delight to read and imagine.

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this one, which looks at the phenomenon of tides in all their manifestations around the world, from the famous rises in the bay of Fundy, to title bores where they come in like a roaring torrent. There’s also a lot of attention devoted to waves, giant rogue waves, and big waves sought after by elite surfers. This will also greatly appeal to people who enjoy surfing.If you are at all interested in the ocean, you’ll find this book interesting. But the author has managed to transcend what could be a bit of a dry topic, and produced a lovely travelogue, and in his narratives and descriptions, perhaps even a work of art. I found in it an interesting, entertaining and soothing escape in these more stressful times.

Perfekt für Ozean Interessierte die Ebbe und Flut besser verstehen wollen. Man muss perfekt Englisch lesen können, dann ist es spannend vom Anfang an. Man lernt sehr viel über das Meer und ihre Bewegungen, man bewegt sich herum sehr interessante Orten herum die Welt mit merkwürdige Geschehen, Kanada. USA, China, Frankreich und mehr. Ein wertvolles Buch.

Eccellente

This book consists of carefully crafted, easy to relax with chapters chronicling the author's explorations (and mishaps) in getting to grips with the enigmatic subject of tides. I came to it via his trip to Eling Tide Mill, beautifully recounted, and stayed with it throughout his other enjoyable episodes as I could imagine many other readers who have an affiliation to and fascination with the interrelated movement of oceans, moon and tides.He writes just as though he is alongside the armchair, personally telling the story, and I like that. The photographs would be improved with semi gloss paper but acknowledgement to environmental printing standards is well founded and accepted. The whole transports me on the ebb tide..