Coastwise: Understanding Britain's Shoreline

by Peter Firstbrook, Tom Heap (Foreword)

Coastwise examines the coastline of the British Isles as a dynamic environment and offers you an understandable explanation of how the coastline functions as a single entity. It is supported by hundreds of stunning photos and illustrations.
It begins by exploring how the forces of nature combine to create its physical features (and continue to do so). This is a multifaceted story that involves ancient geology and powerful ocean forces.
It then turns to the living nature of the coast, covering the unique plants, animals and other organisms whose interdependence keeps the coast alive and healthy. These amazing creatures are described and displayed in full colour.
The third part of the book looks at how humans have interacted with the coast, using it for defence, commerce and leisure. It explores these aspects from the earliest times to the present day.
The final section shows, for each coastal region, where the features discussed in the book can be observed and enjoyed, giving you a practical way of exploring the elements described in the book.
All aspects of the coast are covered, making it essential reading – or a wonderful gift – for all those who spend time on Britain’s coast. As Countryfile presenter, Tom Heap, says in his “These pages are a practical love letter to Britain’s waterfront and no seaside holiday home should be without them.”

Table of Contents

Foreword

Author’s Note

This Precious Stone Set In The Silver Sea

PART THE PHYSICAL Headlands & Cliffs

Beaches, Bays & Barrier Islands

Estuaries, Wetlands & Salt Marshes

Waves, Whirlpools, Surges & Tides

Coastal Rocks & Fossils

PART THE LIVING Plankton & Plants

Free Drifters & Bottom Dwellers

Molluscs & Crustaceans

The Carnivores

Coastal Birds

PART THE HUMAN The Coast As Defence

The Commercial Coast

The Leisure Coast

PART DISCOVERING THE BRITISH COAST

Acknowledgements & Credits

Index

256 pages, Hardcover

Published December 2, 2021

About the author

Peter Firstbrook is author of The Voyage of the Matthew (about the explorer John Cabot), Lost on Everest (about George Mallory), and The Obamas: The Untold Story of an African Family. He worked for the BBC for twenty-five years as a television producer, director and executive producer, specializing in historical documentaries. He has won over thirty international awards, including on two occasions the Royal Television Society award for best documentary. He divides his time between London and the Isle of Wight.

Reviews

[Julian Dodd · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book, well thought out in presentation, with an excellent coverage of all things coastal, accompanied by many beautiful photographs.