The Wave Watcher's Companion: Ocean Waves, Stadium Waves, and All the Rest of Life's Undulations
Gavin Pretor-Pinney
Perigee, June 2011
ISBN: 978-0399536700
Gavin Pretor-Pinney
Perigee, June 2011
ISBN: 978-0399536700
A lively, revealing look at waves of all kinds from the bestselling author of The Cloudspotter's Guide
Gavin Pretor-Pinney, co-founder of the British magazine The Idler, is an unhurried man. His gazing skyward resulted in the 2006 surprise best seller The Cloudspotter's Guide. Now he is back, having lowered his sightline a bit, with The Wave Watcher's Companion.
The subject matter is not as much of a departure from cloud-spotting as one might think. "For the atmosphere is an ocean, too, but an ocean of air rather than water." Since clouds are "borne on waves of air," he reasons, cloud spotters are technically wave spotters as well.
Like his previous book, this one employs a chatty, conversational tone, with clear technical explanations enlivened by real-world examples, whimsical asides, personal anecdotes and inventive analogies—all liberally peppered with historical and literary references to tickle the palate of discriminating bibliophiles.
In addition to offering clear and useful explanations of wave science, Mr. Pretor-Pinney shows a keen eye for minor but fascinating wave-related facts. We learn, for instance, that the only creature on Earth that can rival humans for directional hearing is a humble parasitoid fly called Ormia Ochracea.
While the subject matter and complexity of The Wave Watcher's Companion is likely too much for younger readers, teens or those with a real interest in scientific concepts shouldn’t have much trouble digesting it. I found the book to be both interesting and entertaining and by the end I’d actually learned a great deal, which is always a good thing. The most comprehensive book on waves I’ve seen outside of a textbook but with an irreverent sense of humor and wealth of examples that makes the subject both interesting and entertaining.
GAVIN PRETOR-PINNEY is the founder of the Cloud Appreciation Society, author of The Cloudspotter's Guide, and cofounder of the Idler magazine. Gavin loves watching waves in every form. He lives in Somerset.
GAVIN PRETOR-PINNEY is the founder of the Cloud Appreciation Society, author of The Cloudspotter's Guide, and cofounder of the Idler magazine. Gavin loves watching waves in every form. He lives in Somerset.
ISBN: 978-0399536700; ISBN10: 0399536701; Imprint: Perigee; On Sale: 6/7/2011; Format: Paperback; Pages: 336; $15.00
