Wave watchers around the world know that no two waves are the same. Yet each and every wave that rises, peaks, and crashes onto the beach is generated by a much larger force originating thousands of miles away. Surf journalist team Evan Slater and Peter Taras capture the essence of waves and the swells that produce them in this breathtaking collection of wave photography. Slater characterizes four distinct swells from different corners of the globe and traces their journeys throughout the year from storm to seashore. His reflective, informative essays amplify these powerful images of hundreds of waves frozen in time, beautiful, simple, universal, yet wholly unique—and the best thing to watch on the planet.

"The holiday getaway takes a suspenseful turn." —The Washington Post Cut off from the rest of the world, a group of elite surfers are determined to find the perfect waves at any cost . . . even murder. Three years ago, surfer Kenna Ward swore off the water for good after her boyfriend's tragic death. But she is drawn back to the beach when her best friend, Mikki, announces her engagement to a man Kenna has never met—a member of a tight-knit group of surfers. Kenna travels with Mikki to a remote Australian beach, entering a dangerous world where the waves, weather, and tides are all that matter, meeting the reclusive group that will do anything to keep their surf spot a secret. This coastal paradise has a dark side, and Kenna is shocked by the extremes the surfers are prepared to go to for the next thrill. When she learns about mysterious deaths and disappearances within the group, her suspicion is heightened. Soon, Kenna realizes that in order to protect Mikki and herself, she must become one of them . . . and hope she isn't the next to go missing.

Off the coast of a tiny island a mysterious package goes missing. Rival whaling factions reignite an ancient feud when their paths cross. Korean smugglers want to open a bed and breakfast. A privacy expert sets in motion her plan to create a cell phone network using migrating whales. . . . And Orange Whippey doesn't like any of it.