Whether you are fascinated by maritime disaster or have a placid curiosity about waves, Mr. Raichlen’s book offers a rich variety of information in brief. To his credit, he has decided to go into the science carefully and seriously. He does so in clear, straightforward prose that addresses the complexity of waves in the real world, not just the idealizations of textbooks. Mr. Raichlen admirably avoids the razzle-dazzle that too often pervades the prose of popular science books; his tone is uninflated and plain-spoken.—The Wall Street Journal—

Fredric Raichlen, an expert on coastal engineering and wave mechanics, is Professor of Civil Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, Emeritus at Caltech.