The Tide: The Science and Stories Behind the Greatest Force on Earth

12 illustrations. “Superb. Throughout, Aldersey-Williams whisks the reader along on his travels: He visits the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia, where the tides are the strongest in the world; arctic Norway, home of the raging tidal whirlpool known as the maelstrom; and Venice, to investigate efforts to defend the city against flooding caused by the famed acqua alta. A gently studious Bill Bryson crossed with an upbeat and relaxed WG Sebald.”James McConnachie, Sunday Times (UK)Half of the world’s population today lives in coastal regions lapped by tidal waters. In The Tide, celebrated science writer Hugh Aldersey-Williams weaves together centuries of scientific thinking with the literature and folklore the tide has inspired to explain the power and workings of this most remarkable force.Here is the epic story of the long search to understand the tide from Aristotle, to Galileo and Newton, to classic literary portrayals of the tide from Shakespeare to Dickens, Melville to Jules Verne. But the tide rises and falls according to rules that are a mystery to almost all of us

Hugh Aldersey-Williams is a marvelous guide who takes the reader on a sweeping and thought-provoking adventure into the heart of one of the most captivating, mysterious, and elemental forces of nature.” - Eric Jay Dolin, author of Brilliant Beacons“Prepare for a voyage with the best of companionsHugh Aldersey-Williams is a storyteller supreme, and he’s found a subject worthy of his talents.” - Edward Dolnick, author of The Clockwork Universe“A wonderfully enjoyable exploration of the mysterious rhythms of the sea. I loved the combination of literary, historical, scientific, and experiential accounts of the tides, each ebbing and then flowing to allow the others to wash up on the pages of this remarkable book.” - Mark Miodownik, author of
Hugh Aldersey-Williams is the author of many books, including The Tide, Anatomies, Periodic Tales, and The Most Beautiful Molecule, a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. . He lives in Norfolk, England

Fascinating stories about different aspects of the tides, mainly around the British Isles. These are a series of fascinating stories about different aspects of the tides. I particularly enjoyed Chapter 11, "Into the Maelstrom" which describes different whirlpools described in literature and located around the world. The author gives detailed description of the different whirlpools and even visits some of them when they are active (times of high tides).. Robert C. Rollings said Great book. Wonderful book compiling the history and science woven with a narrative that is both instructive and insightful. I look out on the tide every morning and feel that I know can see it more clearly and with much greater appreciation!. Old Roy said Short on science. Lots of stories about the effects of tides, but very, very little science content