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  • How to Read Water

  • Clues, Signs & Patterns from Puddles to the Sea
  • By: Tristan Gooley
  • Narrated by: Tristan Gooley
  • Length: 8 hrs and 22 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (109 ratings)
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How to Read Water cover art

How to Read Water

By: Tristan Gooley
Narrated by: Tristan Gooley
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Editor reviews

'This study of rivers, lakes, puddles and seas brims over with astonishing facts...His observational skills can be breathtaking' ( The Sunday Times)

Summary

A must-have book for walkers, sailors, swimmers, anglers and everyone interested in thenatural world, in How To Read Water, Natural Navigator Tristan Gooley shares knowledge, skills, tips and useful observations to help you enjoy the landscape around you.

Includes over 700 clues, signs and patterns.

You'll learn how to:

  • Interpret ponds like a Polynesian
  • Spot dangerous water in the pitch black with the help of a clock face
  • Read the sea like a Viking
  • Forecast the weather from waves
  • Find your way with puddles
  • Decipher wave patterns on beaches
  • Decode the colour of water

Unravel a river like an expert.

From wild swimming in Sussex to wayfinding off Oman, via the icy mysteries of the Arctic, Tristan Gooley draws on his own pioneering journeys to reveal the secrets of ponds, puddles, rivers, oceans and more to show us all the skills we need to read the water around us.

©2016 Tristan Gooley (P)2016 Hodder & Stoughton

Critic reviews

A Sunday Times 'Must Read' book.

What listeners say about How to Read Water

Average customer ratings
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Great read (listen)...

This is a fascinating book from an inspirational author - it enables the entry level reader and expert to learn and enjoy his experiences and shared wisdom. He presents the information in a light and enjoyable manner and it is very easy to listen to - the equivalent of 'unputdownable'. I would strongly recommend it and will seek out his public speaking presentations at the RGS if possible. Looking forward (hopefully) to seeing his other titles on this site asap.

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7 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

from a sailor of 22 years

a fascinating insight into the natural world. I've been a sailor for 22 years and still learnt new insights.

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4 people found this helpful

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Interesting And Entertaining

A very informative book which is well read by the author and well produced.

One needs to concentrate to appreciate the signs and meanings described, but it is worth the effort.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars

Great book.

Facts you did not know you needed to know but are very useful to know

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3 people found this helpful

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Better than I ever imagined

For anyone interested in anything outdoors Tristan is a must read. I work outside as a gardener, have spent almost my entire life outdoors, including a stint in the military, about to start sailing and I’ve always had a interest in navigation, tracking etc. and with all that I was completely bowled over by the knowledge and wisdom in this book.

Going in I had two thoughts. Firstly, I might pick up a bit of knowledge as being on the water is not a area of great knowledge to me. Secondly, I was unsure if a audiobook was going to be a good format for relaying this information. Do not worry, although I’m sure this will be even better as a companion to a physical book it is extremely well delivered in audio format. Very easy to apply the ideas. I learned farm more from this book than expected. Even when navigating on land which I felt like I knew pretty well.

I will probably consume this book twice a year for a good few years before I feel like I’ve really retained most of the wisdom in this book.

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2 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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A reference book for water watchers and users

so much knowledge imparted by an expert , at speed, that isn't easy listening but it is an eye opener and I will dip in and out of this book from time to time to better understand the subjects that the author covers.

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2 people found this helpful

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Glad I took a risk with this book

Fantastic, informative, well written (and spoken). Didn't know what to expect in this book but so glad I chose it.

This is one of my favourite books and I have just listened to it for the third time; I know I will read/listen to it many times in the future.

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2 people found this helpful

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Phenomenal

So much interesting information in this book, I shall listen to this one several times over I imagine.

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1 person found this helpful

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Good, especially if your a sea lover.

Was good to listen to, but I personally didn't find it as good as wild signs and star paths, but that is just down to my personal interests.
Always guaranteed to learn plenty from his books though.

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  • Mr
  • 06-05-17

Fascinating

A great and well narrated dip into the watery world. Enjoyed every minute of it

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1 person found this helpful