The World's Beaches - by Orrin H Pilkey & William J Neal & James Andrew Graham Cooper & Joseph T Kelley (Paperback)

About the Book

"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.

Book Synopsis

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.

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.

Review Quotes

"This book has a wide appeal. . . . Written in an engaging style."-- "Reference & Research Book News / Scitech Book News" (10/1/2011 12:00:00 AM)

"A comprehensive, readable guide to the physical features of many kinds of beaches and some of the threats they face."-- "New York Times" (8/16/2011 12:00:00 AM)

"A well-illustrated introduction to the geology and ecology of beaches."-- "Scienceblogs.com/The Guardian" (7/18/2011 12:00:00 AM)

"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" (1/1/2012 12:00:00 AM)

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.