570 Life Sciences
Kampion, Drew. The Book of Waves: Form and Beauty on the Ocean, 3rd ed. (Illus.) Niwot, CO: Roberts Rinehart, 1997. 183pp. $29.95 (paper). 97-67690. ISBN 1-57098-168-X. C.I.P.
YA–T, GA +
The beauty and power of waves are celebrated in images and words in this third edition of a large, handsome volume that should find its way onto coffee tables of those who love the shore. The book is essentially a gallery of 122 color photographs (plates) peppered with excerpts of romantic poetry, plus 24 pages of text, additional photos, and detailed artwork (three-dimensional cutaway drawings) in three sections: (1) a reverential metaphysical "meditation on breaking waves"; (2) an explanation of how waves form, travel, and interact with the shoreline; and (3) narratives of encounters with monster waves offered by a few surfers and sailors. Data concerning each photo (the location, photographer, camera, film, and settings) and additional commentary are given in an "index to plates." The middle section of the book, on wave dynamics, contains some mistakes, especially with regard to linking up features of waves with their correct units (e.g., p. 40: a "wave length of...5 seconds") and labeling of figures (e.g., depicting wavelength as frequency in Fig. 1). A critical reversal of two figure citations (5 and 6) may confuse the reader. However, the artistic textual characterizations of waves (e. g., p. 26: "children of the struggle between ocean and atmosphere") are eloquent complements to the visual ones.—Robert E. Knowlton, George Washington University, Washington, DC
Developed by
Mahoney
Interactive, Inc.
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