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The Tide: The Science and Stories Behind the Greatest Force on Earth
The Tide: The Science and Stories Behind the Greatest Force on Earth | Hugh Aldersey-Williams
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A rich and sweeping exploration into the science and history behind the most mysterious, primal, and powerful force on earth: the tide. Half of the worlds population today lives in coastal regions lapped by tidal waters. But the tide rises and falls according to rules that are a mystery to almost all of us. 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, who is said to have drowned himself in his efforts to figure out the Greek tides, to the pioneering investigations into the role of the moon by Galileo and Newton, to the quest to understand and even control the tide in our own time. Throughout, Aldersey-Williams whisks the reader along on his travels in search of the most remarkable tidal phenomena. 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. Along the way, Aldersey-Williams delves into classic literary portrayals of the tide from Shakespeare to Dickens, Melville to Jules Verne. And he reveals the tidal truths behind the Homeric tale of Scylla and Charybdis, the biblical story of Moses parting the Red Sea, the conquests of Julius Caesar, the Boston Tea Party, and the D-Day landings in Normandy.
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charissharpe
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Day 2 of #booksacrossoceans #seaofbooks I spotted this book in Waterstones the other day & though it looked pretty intriguing. Might have to pick it up post holiday.

Currently under a blanket in our pod whilst the rain just keeps coming outside & the wind batters the whole caravan park, reading & listening to Bowie. #britishsummer #staycation

pri_bibliophile Sounds like a perfect setting to read!! 7y
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Hooked_on_books
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Bookhaul from unexpected late night visit to Powell's yesterday after the symphony! (The non-reader BF suggested it! Seriously. Definitely hanging on to him!) All Litfluenced titles except The Tide. All bookstores should stay open until 11 pm. It's only civilized. 😄

LeahBergen Wow! That's a good haul. 😍 8y
CherylDeFranceschi Fantastic haul! 8y
Bookchipmunk I'll be there in a couple weeks and can not wait! 8y
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DebinHawaii Nice haul! 📚👍 8y
MandaChittles Picnic at Hanging Rock! A classic! 8y
vivastory I've been thinking about the movie Picnic at Hanging Rock ever since I read Paul Tremblay's Disappearance at Devil's Rock. I will be adding the book to my TBR. I think bookstores should be like pharmacies and grocery stores, open 24 hours a day. 8y
Hooked_on_books @vivastory Oh that would be amazing--especially for insomniacs! 8y
vivastory @Hooked_on_books Atlas Oscura looks rather interesting. Are you a member of Powell's selects? How do I become a member? I checked their site and couldn't find any information. 8y
Hooked_on_books @vivastory No, I'm afraid I'm not sure what that is. I just give them lots of my money for books. 😬 8y
vivastory @Hooked_on_books I've heard they have some sort of subscription service where you receive a new book in a slipcase and it is signed. I think the most recent one is The Mothers. I've had a thing about signed books recently. Powell's is the number one bookstore on my bucket list. 8y
Hooked_on_books @vivastory Oh ok, that's indiespensible, which is for sure on their website. I'm not a member but some other folks on here are and have good things to say. Apparently you have to keep an eye out for the list to be open to subscribe. And for sure make sure you get to the store someday--it's amazing. I live about 2 hours away and go every chance I get. 8y
vivastory @Hooked_on_books Ahh, thanks for the information. I imagine needing to dedicate a minimum of 8 hours and a few hundred dollars for book budget when I do make it. 8y
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