How to Read Water: Clues and Patterns from Puddles to the Sea (Natural Navigation)

This book was such a boon to me as a native of Michigan, and lighthouse keeper.Having lived around water and being a sailor most of my life, the information codified things I'd already known, and informed me on so many things that I didn't. If you live in a state w lakes and streams, or you fish, hunt, sail, boat or swim...you're in for quite a treat. Easy to read and so jam packed w information and terms, that I found myself outlining it as I went for later quick reference, and ease of final memorization. Armed w some of the terms I learned, I wowed my fellow 'Wickies' with knowledge they marginally knew, but hadn't heard quite so succinctly, and that's saying something with this group.Having said the above, I'm not sure at all what the negative reviewers expected, but, for 10.00 (including shipping), I have a handy sized volume I'll keep and reference forever. Short of a college textbook, I'm not sure you're going to find any compendium of observational knowledge about water 'in the field', as pleasant a read as this was. The medium size and weight of the hardcover makes it portable and ideal for a backpack or suitcase.As an aside, I was fortunate to read this book on a working tour, and had the good fortune to see first hand a lot of the information this book had to offer. From my perspective I was pleasantly surprised, and glad I had held this book in reserve for just that event. I could verify and identify easily most of the information that Mr. Gooley meant to convey.I can see this author has other volumes, and I intend to purchase them myself as I can. A 'novel' idea for the outdoors'person' in your life as a gift.☆12/17 Update/Edit: I put my money where my mouth is, and of this writing have purchased two other copies of this volume, (as Christmas gifts), and one copy each of the others. I had a hard time wrapping them without flipping through them. I'll eventually need those as well. Heh heh.This book opened doors of information I never even knew existed in relation to using water to inform yourself of your surroundings. (From puddles to the sea).Easy to read, interesting terminology and content.Absolutely no regrets here. This is a great book and a great value.

I will never be stranded at sea, but it's still amazing to read about how people could use environmental cues to figure out a solution to pretty much any predicament. This is a very easy read about an incredibly complex topic - the author makes it very relatable, even for people well beneath his level of expertise. It also is a wonderful and well-needed reminder to stay tuned in to all of the natural subtleties in your environment, to pay attention and the earth will never top teaching you important lessons! Can't wait to read more by this author.

Bottom Line First: Tristan Gooleys’ How to Read Water is a mostly entertaining introduction to what is for other people, in other times and places frequently a matter of life and death. Readers of How to Read Water are most likely people like me, arm chair adventurers with a curious mind for what is an unusual idea for a book. How to Read is not the one book to take with you if you are to navigate the Islands of the Pacific or survive along the frozen coastlines in the far north or south. If you are traveling to these places, preferably in some comfort, and want to have a taste of how to keep it simple, Tristan Gooley is your man.The style is breezy and friendly but with a little too much repetition. By about chapter three everyone will know that you will never see much less derive practical value from any of the highlighted clues and patterns unless you take to time to look for them and then more time to enjoy them and then remember the paragraph he wrote telling you why this or that phenomena is important. Never does it occur to Gooley that he is repeating himself on this point.He also has a tendency to flirt with the precious. We are to enthuse about everything he is enthusiastic about even if it seems a tad trite or esoteric. I know for example there are several types of puddles, there are several types of everything, but I remain unclear as to when some of them collect water on the south side of a road and when on the north. Given how specific he can be about things like directions and compass points he can be a little casual about possible changes as one travels across the equator.All of this is to be a tad too critical. Armed with a nice cuppa tea or perhaps a aged postprandial port a reader safely ensconced in an overstuffed leather chair with feet nicely propped can get a fast tour through a world where one can navigate across the Atlantic using nothing more than ancient Norse sailing instructions. A reader need not brave sea sickness or a salt drenching of their expensive North Face Outdoor togs and still get a glimpse into understanding how the Polynesian peoples found, populated and lived among widely spaced islands without any of the minimal technology that now dominates a westerner brave enough to navigate farther than the nearest grocery store.Tristan Gooley knows how to tell a good sea story and add in some arcane and unlikely facts without coming off as too much of a geek. How to Read Water is not a very good how to book , but it is a lot of information from a friendly writer talking to people who may never have an outdoorsmanly use for a tidy little book with an eye catching title and lots of fun facts.

Only partway through, but I'm thoroughly enjoying it. I pre-ordered this book based on reviews from Britain. While waiting for the US release, I read Gooley's "Lost Art of Reading Nature's Signs" which I loved. It is informative and entertaining, covering a wide variety of topics from wild places like Borneo, to cities. I was then really looking forward to "How to Read Water" but was unsure if an entire book on one topic would be as riveting. Halfway through and I can honestly say, it is. I'm torn between wanting to read more and more, to wanting to read and reread a section deeply and see if I can find examples. Many examples can be found far from oceans or large bodies of water, so this is not just a book for people on shorelines. The author's knowledge, excitement and joy of learning and teaching new things really comes through in his writing.

I bought the book to help me read thr bodies of water that I sail in. My small sailboat needs all the help thatI can give her. Excellent read.

Nicely laid out book. Solid in your hand. I would recommend it.

Excellent Book! Never realized that by looking at a body of water is no different in a lot of ways then looking at the land. Just learning to observe can tell you so much about the nature around us.

So much to learn. Great book for those who love the outdoors.

This is a real find, informative, interesting and factual. From river banks to the storm-tossed ocean, this book will keep you informed and amazed through every page. You'll never find another book quite like this one. Recommended.

Item as described. Good value. Would buy again from this seller.

Interesting book