The Lure Of The Beach

A human and global take on a beloved vacation spot. The crash of surf, smell of salted air, wet whorls of sand underfoot. These are the sensations of the beach, that environment that has drawn humans to its life-sustaining shores for millennia. And while the gull's cry and the cove's splendor have remained constant throughout time, our relationship with the beach has been as fluid as the runnels left behind by the tide's turning. The Lure of the Beach is a chronicle of humanity's history with the coast, taking us from the seaside pleasure palaces of Roman elites and the aquatic rituals of medieval pilgrims, to the venues of modern resort towns and beyond. Robert C. Ritchie traces the contours of the material and social economies of the beach throughout time, covering changes in the social status of beach goers, the technology of transport, and the development of fashion (from nudity to Victorianism and back again), as well as the geographic spread of modern beach-going from England to France, across the Mediterranean, and from nineteenth-century America to the world. And as climate change and rising sea levels erode the familiar faces of our coasts, we are poised for a contemporary reckoning with our relationship--and responsibilities--to our beaches and their ecosystems. The Lure of the Beach demonstrates that whether as a commodified pastoral destination, a site of ecological resplendency, or a flashpoint between private ownership and public access, the history of the beach is a human one that deserves to be told now more than ever before.

Corbin argues that with few exceptions people living before the eighteenth century knew nothing of the attractions of the coast, the visual delight of the sea, the desire to brave the force of the waves or to feel the coolness of sand against the skin. The image of the ocean in the popular consciousness was coloured by Biblical and mythical recollections of sea monsters, voracious whales, and catastrophic floods. It was perceived as sinister and unchanging, a dark, unfathomable force inspiring horror rather than attraction. These associations of catastrophe and fear in the minds of Europeans intensified the repulsion they felt towards deserted and dismal shores.

A human and global take on a beloved vacation spot. The crash of surf, smell of salted air, wet whorls of sand underfoot. These are the sensations of the beach, that environment that has drawn humans to its life-sustaining shores for millennia. And while the gull’s cry and the cove’s splendor have remained constant throughout time, our relationship with the beach has been as fluid as the runnels left behind by the tide’s turning. The Lure of the Beach is a chronicle of humanity's history with the coast, taking us from the seaside pleasure palaces of Roman elites and the aquatic rituals of medieval pilgrims, to the venues of modern resort towns and beyond. Robert C. Ritchie traces the contours of the material and social economies of the beach throughout time, covering changes in the social status of beach goers, the technology of transport, and the development of fashion (from nudity to Victorianism and back again), as well as the geographic spread of modern beach-going from England to France, across the Mediterranean, and from nineteenth-century America to the world. And as climate change and rising sea levels erode the familiar faces of our coasts, we are poised for a contemporary reckoning with our relationship—and responsibilities—to our beaches and their ecosystems. The Lure of the Beach demonstrates that whether as a commodified pastoral destination, a site of ecological resplendency, or a flashpoint between private ownership and public access, the history of the beach is a human one that deserves to be told now more than ever before.

From culture shock to cone-shell poison, what better way to experience the highs and lows of global ocean travel than through the words of the captain's mate, mother of two teenaged boys. Lona Gray chronicled every aspect of their sailing adventure from how to find and prepare meals, how to repair engines, how to avoid monsoons, how to educate teenagers, and how to stay sane living in small quarters far from all the comforts of stateside living. Through Lona's words, we see and feel Captain Bobby's frustrations and triumphs, we meet their new friends, and we experience the rush of unexpected weather. "Caught by the Lure of the Sea is a compelling and realistic account for anyone considering taking the leap of faith to follow a romantic dream." -Cathie Katz, author of Sierra Club's Nature a Day at a Time: An Uncommon Look At Common Wildlife. "If you've ever dreamt of sailing around the world, family in tow, this is the vicarious trip of a lifetime." -Carole Kotkin, co-author MMMMiami-Tempting Tropical Tastes for Home Cooks Everywhere; food editor Travellady.com and free-lance travel writer. " you should read the adventures of Bobbie and Lona Gray aboard the sailing vessel Immanuel they met priests and pirates and braved stormy seas to bring you a story you'll not forget." -John A. Brennan, former Commodore of the Coconut Grove Sailing Club

Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

Special Features·Where to find more snook than ever before·Snook tackle that won't let you down·Live bait expertise--finding it and fishing it·Giant snook--best times, techniques, tackle·Plug casting, spinning and flyroddingPacked with secrets from the nation's best snook anglers, The Snook Book is "must" reading for anyone who loves the pursuit of this unique sub-tropic species. Every aspect of Finding and catching big snook is covered, in every season and in all waters where snook are found. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, every chapter of The Snook Book will make you a better snook fisherman.

Now an established classic on the subject, this revised and updated edition of Hooked on Bass shows anglers how to catch bass, particularly the bigger fish, from the shore. With excellent photography and clear, detailed diagrams to help illustrate the advice, any angler, beginner or expert, who has caught or would like to catch bass will find endless value in the pages of this book.