Promotional Information

This book will make an important contribution to the literature on the science of sailing. It fills the gap between the technical, engineering-oriented texts and the too simplified, basic books. -- Bryon D. Anderson, Kent State University

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. Evolution: From Prehistory to the Age of Sail
2. Analysis: Square-Rigged Ship Motion
3. Evolution: From the Age of Sail to the Modern Yacht
4. Analysis: Fore-and-Aft Boat Motion—Introducing Lift and Drag
5. A Lot of Torque
6. Flying through Water
7. Windsurfing
Appendix: Lifting the Veil
Notes
Glossary
Additional Readings
Index

About the Author

After earning a Ph.D. in theoretical physics from Edinburgh University, Mark Denny pursued research at Oxford University from 1981 to 1984, then moved into a career in industry. He is the author of Ingenium: Five Machines That Changed the World and Blip, Ping, and Buzz: Making Sense of Radar and Sonar, both published by Johns Hopkins. Denny is now semi-retired and lives on Vancouver Island.

Reviews

Intelligent and understandable explanations of the physics of sailing... If you want to sound smart the next time you try explaining sailing to someone, read this book! Latitudes & Attitudes Armed with a PhD in physics, Denny fills a gap by addressing the evolution of this ancient means of transportation and the science that has affected its development... this book will appeal to those interested in the history and/or physics of sailing. Choice A light-hearted yet informative look at the physics of sailing ships... Clearly, the connections between physics and sailing run deep; as Denny points out, even Einstein was an avid weekend sailor. Physics World So comprehensive is Denny's narrative that it revisits prehistoric coracles made of animal skins and antlers before fast-forwarding to the Industrial Revolution. -- Steve Goddard www.historywire.com Denny's book is an entertaining read for any sailor, or any armchair physicist for that matter. Ocean Navigator An excellent approach for any nautical library. Midwest Book Review