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!
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.
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.
So comprehensive is Denny's narrative that it revisits prehistoric coracles made of animal skins and antlers before fast-forwarding to the Industrial Revolution.
Denny's book is an entertaining read for any sailor, or any armchair physicist for that matter.
An excellent approach for any nautical library.
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.
Book Details
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
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