The Wave

The Wave: In Pursuit of the Rogues, Freaks, and Giants of the Ocean
By Susan Casey
Doubleday, 2010. 326 pgs. Nonfiction

The ocean is home to some of the world’s deadliest creatures. But, even without the deadly wildlife, the ocean’s vast size and movement presents a powerful force of destruction. The Wave is an exploration of the force exhibited by the ocean’s waves. The author spends chapters on both the scientists trying to understand and possibly harness the power behind the ocean’s movement, and the surfers who risk their lives to ride these mammoth walls of water.

This book has been described as “part science lesson and part adrenaline rush”, and I whole-heartedly agree. Casey’s love of the ocean is plainly exhibited as she writes of the beauty and hostility of the freak waves that have been known to tear boats in half and demolish coastlines. Even with her careful description, readers will still want to make a quick trip to youtube to see these enormous waves being ridden by professional tow surfers. This book is an excellent read for any armchair adventurer.

CZ