I found the science more interesting than the surfers, but there's plenty about both, for wherever one's interests lie. She also enters the world of the elite surfers who vie to catch the tallest, gnarliest waves in the world. Now we not only know they exist, but are appearing more often.Īuthor Susan Casey profiles the scientists and researchers who work in this cutting edge field. Sailors had long described them, but were not believed, as there was no scientific explanation for them, until the advent of quantum mechanics. One result has been to confirm the existence of giant ocean waves, over 80 feet tall. The science of oceanography has advanced greatly since the invention of sonar, and satellite technology. Not only is the universe stranger than we imagine, it is stranger than we can imagine.-John Burdon Sanderson Haldane Treat yourself to a great ride and read Ms. Casey interviews all the people involved in the scientific and sport world who live for these occurrences with a natural intriguing curiosity that left me in astonishment that these waves have existed for thousands of years and will forever be a part of our world. Through the author's eyes, I felt that I had traveled the world to the well-known and unknown spots where these waves routinely show up. You're out on the jet ski feeling and seeing what the surfers are attempting, privileged to their thoughts as they tackle these giant, majestic, monsters of Nature. She can place you right there with Laird Hamilton and many many icons of the surf world. If there was room here, I'd quote great lines and descriptions from the book. Filled with details of the myths of rogue waves, the recent scientific proof of their measurement, Billabong's crazed reward of $500,000 to the first surfer who can prove by videotape that he or she has ridden a wave bigger than 100 feet and the intimate portrayal of the people who have attempted to win the prize. Susan Casey has created the perfect non-fiction book. This is one of the best books I read this summer.

The wave susan casey review