Sign-In
Cart
Pacific: Silicon Chips and Surfboards, Coral Reefs and Atom Bombs, Brutal Dictators and Fading Empires
Paperback
Travel GeneralExplorationGeneral World History
Publisher Price: $16.99
ISBN13: 9780062315427
Publisher: Harper Perennial
Published: Oct 25 2016
Pages: 512
Weight: 0.80
Height: 1.30 Width: 5.30 Depth: 7.90
Language: English
One of Library Journal's 10 Best Books of 2015
Following his acclaimed Atlantic and The Men Who United the States, New York Times bestselling author Simon Winchester offers an enthralling biography of the Pacific Ocean and its role in modern world affairs, exploring our relationship with this imposing force of nature.
As the Mediterranean shaped the classical world, and the Atlantic connected Europe to the New World, the Pacific Ocean defines our tomorrow. With China on the rise, so, too, are the American cities of the West coast, including Seattle, San Francisco, and the long cluster of towns down the Silicon Valley, making the Pacific Rim the new center of global power.
Today, the Pacific is ascendant. Its turbulent geological history has long transformed us--tremendous earthquakes, volcanoes, and tsunamis--but its human history, from a Western perspective, is quite young, beginning with Magellan's sixteenth-century circumnavigation. It is a natural wonder whose most fascinating history is currently being made.
In telling the story of the Pacific, Simon Winchester takes us from the Bering Strait to Cape Horn, the Yangtze River to the Panama Canal, and to the many small islands and archipelagos that lie in between. He observes the fall of a dictator in Manila, visits aboriginals in northern Queensland, and is jailed in Tierra del Fuego, the land at the end of the world. His journey encompasses a trip down the Alaska Highway, a stop at the isolated Pitcairn Islands, a trek across South Korea and a glimpse of its mysterious northern neighbor.
Winchester's personal experience is vast and his storytelling second to none. And his historical understanding of the region--from military history to environmental science--is formidable, making Pacific a paean to this magnificent sea of beauty, myth, and imagination that is transforming our lives.
Winchester masterfully connects geology, history, and human experience to tell the definitive story of the ocean that will define our future:
- The Ring of Fire: Discover the raw power of the ocean's tectonic architecture, from massive earthquakes and volcanoes to the devastating tsunamis that have shaped human history for millennia.
- Geopolitical History: Witness the rise and fall of empires, the dawn of the nuclear age at Bikini Atoll, and the ascent of China as a new world power on the shores of the Pacific.
- Human Exploration: Follow Winchester's own journey from the Bering Strait to Cape Horn as he traces the path of Magellan, the voyages of ancient Polynesian navigators, and the relentless human drive to conquer the world's largest ocean.
- Culture and Technology: Explore the forces defining our modern world, from the birth of the transistor radio and the rise of surfing culture to the challenges of environmental change on a vast and fragile sea.
1 different editions
Also available
Also in
Travel General
Atlas Obscura: An Explorer's Guide to the World's Hidden Wonders
Joshua Foer
Ella Morton
Dylan Thuras
Hardcover
Neon Lights in Tokyo: An Insider's Guide to the Best Places to Eat, Drink and Explore
Groundwater, Ben
Paperback
The Poetics of Distortion: Panoramic Photographs of the San Francisco Bay Area
Schiff, Thomas R.
Hardcover
The Impossible Road Trip: An Unforgettable Journey to Past and Present Roadside Attractions in All 50 States
Dregni, Eric
Hardcover
Moon Florence & Beyond: Day Trips, Local Spots, Strategies to Avoid Crowds
Cohen, Alexei J.
Paperback
National Parks USA: Shores, Mountains, Wetlands, and Prairies: America's Newest Parks
Publications International Ltd
Hardcover
Weird Minnesota: Your Travel Guide to Minnesota's Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets
Dregni, Eric
Hardcover
Lake Minnetonka
Westonka Historical Society
Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Historical Society
Wayzata Historical Society
Paperback
111 Places in New Orleans That You Must Not Miss: Revised and Updated
Asher, Sally
Murphy, Michael
Paperback
A Walk in the Park: The True Story of a Spectacular Misadventure in the Grand Canyon
Fedarko, Kevin
Paperback
Moon Best of Yellowstone & Grand Teton: Make the Most of One to Three Days in the Parks
Lomax, Becky
Paperback
Big Fan: Two Friends, 82,490 Miles, and the Wild, Wonderful Sports We Love
Posnanski, Joe
Schur, Michael
Hardcover
National Geographic Road Atlas 2027: Adventure Edition [United States, Canada, Mexico]
National Geographic Maps
Other
Mysteries of the National Parks: 35 Stories of Baffling Disappearances, Unexplained Phenomena, and More
Bezemek, Mike
Paperback
National Geographic Ultimate Guide to the National Parks: A Complete Tour of All 63 U.S. Parks
National Geographic
Paperback
Fodor's Pacific Northwest: With Portland, Seattle, Vancouver & the Best Road Trips
Fodor's Travel Guides
Paperback
A Walk in the Park: The True Story of a Spectacular Misadventure in the Grand Canyon
Fedarko, Kevin
Hardcover
The Lesbian Bar Chronicles: The Living History and Hopeful Future of America's Dyke Dives and Sapphic Spaces
Karp, Rachel
Hardcover
Lonely Planet Canada: Plan the Trip of a Lifetime Detailed Itineraries & Maps Insider Tips Covers Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and More
Bain, Jennifer
Balsam, Joel
Sainsbury, Brendan
Paperback
Fodor's the Complete Guide to the National Parks of the West: With the Best Scenic Road Trips
Fodor's Travel Guides
Paperback
National Geographic National Parks Cookbook: Dishes Inspired by America's Great Outdoors
Elder, Nina
Knific, Melissa
Hardcover
52 Weekends in the Pacific Northwest: A Local's Curated Guide to Year-Round Getaways
Patajo, Kara
Paperback
Fodor's Bucket List USA: 500+ Ultimate Experiences, from the Epic to the Eccentric
Fodor's Travel Guides
Paperback
Fodor's Essential Scandinavia: The Best of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland
Fodor's Travel Guides
Paperback
Ultimate National Parks Coloring Book: Amazing Scenes from 63 of the Nation's Most Beautiful Places
Furia, Elsa L.
Paperback
Moon USA State by State: The Best Things to Do in Every State for Your Travel Bucket List
Moon Travel Guides
Paperback
Family Camping Games: A Pocket Book of Activities, Games and Puzzles to Play Around the Campfire
Henseleit, Jack
Paperback
Fodor's Vancouver & Victoria: With Whistler, Vancouver Island, and the Okanagan Valley
Fodor's Travel Guides
Paperback
National Geographic Road Atlas 2026: Scenic Drives Edition [United States, Canada, Mexico]
National Geographic Maps
Other
Fodor's Southern California: With Los Angeles, San Diego, the Central Coast & the Best Road Trips
Fodor's Travel Guides
Paperback
Frostlines: A Journey Through Entangled Lives and Landscapes in a Warming Arctic
Shea, Neil
Hardcover
Grandma Gatewood's Walk: The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail
Montgomery, Ben
Paperback
Exploring the Maine Woods - The Hardy Family Expedition to the Machias Lakes
Hardy Eckstorm, Fannie
Carbone, Tommy
Paperback
The Comfort Crisis: Embrace Discomfort to Reclaim Your Wild, Happy, Healthy Self
Easter, Michael
Hardcover
Moon Puerto Rico: Best Beaches, Outdoor Adventures, Local Favorites
Van Atten, Suzanne
Moon Travel Guides
Paperback
The Official Disney Parks Cookbook: 101 Magical Recipes from the Delicious Disney Vault
Brandon, Pam
Hardcover
Fodor's Northern California: With Napa & Sonoma, Yosemite, San Francisco, Lake Tahoe & the Best Road Trips
Fodor's Travel Guides
Paperback
Lonely Planet USA: Plan the Trip of a Lifetime Detailed Itineraries & Maps Insider Tips Covers New York, California, Washington, DC and More
Balfour, Amy C.
St Louis, Regis
Babe, Ann
Paperback
Fodor's Philadelphia: With Valley Forge, Bucks County, the Brandywine Valley, and Lancaster County
Fodor's Travel Guides
Paperback
Lonely Planet Australia: Plan the Trip of a Lifetime Detailed Itineraries & Maps Insider Tips Covers Sydney, New South Wales, Canberra, Melbourne, Tas
West, Josh
Atkinson, Brett
Bain, Andrew
Paperback
Moon Wisconsin: Lakeside Getaways, Outdoor Recreation, Bites & Brews
Huhti, Thomas
Moon Travel Guides
Paperback
A Short, Strange Trip: An Untold Story of Magic Mushrooms, Madness, and a Search for the Meaning of Life in the Amazon
O'Connor, John
Hardcover
The Feather Thief: Beauty, Obsession, and the Natural History Heist of the Century
Johnson, Kirk Wallace
Paperback
Lonely Planet Europe: Plan the Trip of a Lifetime Detailed Itineraries & Maps Insider Tips Covers France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Germany, Gr
Baker, Kate
Walker, Kerry
Armstrong, Kate
Paperback
Moon Florida Keys: With Miami & the Everglades: Beach Getaways, Snorkeling & Diving, Wildlife
Moon Travel Guides
Kinser, Joshua Lawrence
Paperback
Moon Yellowstone, Grand Teton & Glacier Road Trip: Adventures in Montana & Wyoming's National Parks
Walker, Carter G.
Moon Travel Guides
Paperback
Moon Tennessee: With the Smoky Mountains: Outdoor Recreation, Live Music, Whiskey, Beer & BBQ
Littman, Margaret
Moon Travel Guides
Paperback
Draw Your Adventures: Making Art to Celebrate Everyday Experiences and Travels Near and Far
Baker, Samantha Dion
Paperback
Yellowstone Wildlife: A Folding Pocket Guide to Familiar Animals of the Yellowstone Area
Kavanagh, James
Other
100 Iconic Buildings to See Before You Die: Explore the World's Most Amazing Architecture
Dk Travel
Hardcover
Lonely Planet Mexico: Plan the Trip of a Lifetime Detailed Itineraries & Maps Insider Tips Covers Etulum, Oaxaca, Copper Canyon and More
Balsam, Joel
Fernández Solano, Jennifer
Planet, Lonely
Paperback
Moon Zion & Bryce: With Arches, Canyonlands & Capitol Reef: Hiking & Biking, Stargazing, Scenic Drives
Silver, Maya
Moon Travel Guides
Paperback
Where Should We Camp Next?: National Parks: The Best Campgrounds and Unique Outdoor Accommodations in and Around National Parks, Seashores, Monuments,
Puglisi, Jeremy
Puglisi, Stephanie
Paperback
Moon Yosemite, Sequoia & Kings Canyon: Hiking, Waterfalls, Ancient Trees
Moon Travel Guides
Brown, Ann Marie
Paperback
Lonely Planet Best Road Trips USA: 52 Driving Itineraries Detailed Directions & Maps Local Tips Covers New York, New England, Rocky Mountains, Califor
Bigg, Margot
Bain, Carolyn
Armstrong, Kate
Paperback