Against the Tide - by Cornelia Dean (Paperback)

About the Book

In this call to arms for environmentalists, the author presents accounts of natural disasters, reports of human interference and construction on the shore, and illustrates in rich detail the conflicting interests, short-term responses, and long-range imperatives that have been the hallmarks of America's love affair with her coast. 20 illustrations. 19 halftones.

Book Synopsis

Americans love to colonize their beaches. But when storms threaten, high-ticket beachfront construction invariably takes precedence over coastal environmental concerns--we rescue the buildings, not the beaches. As Cornelia Dean explains in Against the Tide, this pattern is leading to the rapid destruction of our coast. But her eloquent account also offers sound advice for salvaging the stretches of pristine American shore that remain.

The story begins with the tale of the devastating hurricane that struck Galveston, Texas, in 1900--the deadliest natural disaster in American history, which killed some six thousand people. Misguided residents constructed a wall to prevent another tragedy, but the barrier ruined the beach and ultimately destroyed the town's booming resort business.

From harrowing accounts of natural disasters to lucid ecological explanations of natural coastal processes, from reports of human interference and construction on the shore to clear-eyed elucidation of public policy and conservation interests, this book illustrates in rich detail the conflicting interests, short-term responses, and long-range imperatives that have been the hallmarks of America's love affair with her coast.

Intriguing observations about America's beaches, past and present, include discussions of Hurricane Andrew's assault on the Gulf Coast, the 1962 northeaster that ravaged one thousand miles of the Atlantic shore, the beleaguered beaches of New Jersey and North Carolina's rapidly vanishing Outer Banks, and the sand-starved coast of southern California. Dean provides dozens of examples of human attempts to tame the ocean--as well as a wealth of lucid descriptions of the ocean's counterattack. Readers will appreciate Against the Tide's painless course in coastal processes and new perspective on the beach.

Review Quotes

Against the Tide flashes like a metaphorical lighthouse to warn scientists, policymakers, and the public about the state of the shoreline.--Tom Drake "Science"

Against the Tide should be a potent weapon in the environmental effort to save what remains of our natural coastline. Everyone who reads it will be forcefully reminded that the Bible was right: it is not a good idea to build your house upon the sand.--Kate Barnes "The Amicus Journal"

An eloquent, forceful plea to save America's rapidly eroding beaches and coastline.-- "Publisher's Weekly"

An engaging overview of the powerful natural forces at work on the beach and why the various manmade strategies designed to alter them either don't work at all or don't work as intended.--John Manuel "The Raleigh News & Observer"

Beachgoers, coastal residents, planners, and anyone with a love of the sea will enjoy reading this fascinating book about historic coastal communities, the ravages of past winter storms and summer hurricanes, and our often futile attempts to protect oceanfront property while preserving the beach.--Margaret Ann Aycock "Library Journal"

Dean has done a first-rate job of making coastal conservation interesting. Against the Tide would be good beach reading.--David Rains Wallace "New York Times Book Review"

Dean has written a workmanlike description of the ongoing struggle to turn back the tide on America's beaches by pinning down our shorelines--defying their essential nature, a continual dance of destruction and renewal.--Heather Dewar "The Japan Times"

Dean knows that the best advocacy is to lay out the whole story, all sides, fairly and neutrally.... She has made her case so clearly and cleanly, with such persuasive examples, and so much credit where it is due, that I'm convinced.--Ann Finkbeiner "New York Times"

Dean powerfully argues [that] America may face a future of beachless beach towns.-- "Time Magazine"

Dean tells a gripping tale, drawing on her knowledge of the coasts of Massachusetts and New York, and on the experts who have spent a generation learning the working of sea and sand.--Jeff Hecht "New Scientist"

Dean... covers considerable territory as she details the persistent efforts of developers and developer-prodded government agencies to 'armor' the coast against the action of wind and waves. But 'nature, ' she notes, usually 'has the last word, ' undercutting seawalls and toppling houses.--Michael Kenney "Boston Globe"

Dean's opening chapter on the hurricane that flattened Galveston in 1900... is worth the price of the book.-- "Discover"

Dean's thoughtful and eloquent plea to save America's beaches from overdevelopment and erosion is destined to be a classic of environmental writing.-- "Library Journal Best Books of 1999"

Engaging yet informative.... Y[oung] A[dult]s interested in environmental careers and beach lovers of all ages will get caught up in this book. Logically arranged and written in a straightforward style, it enables readers to look at the familiar with new and knowledgeable eyes.-- "School Library Journal"

Entertaining and thoroughly thought provoking.-- "American Scientist"

For anyone who has ever walked along a beach in that Zen-like state that only beach walks provide, do not miss this book. Especially if you're a taxpayer.... I honestly think this could be one of those rare books that changes government policy--at local, state, and federal levels.--Molly Ivins

To anyone interested in the preservation of the nation's beaches this is the handbook--incredibly well researched and interestingly presented. And that 'anyone'should be all of us for our beaches are a national heritage and a precious resource that we owe our future generations.--Walter Cronkite

About the Author

Cornelia Dean is science editor of the New York Times, where she writes frequently on coastal issues. She is also heard regularly on WQEW and WQXR's "Health Times."