How to Read Water

How to Read Water by Tristan Gooley is a broad introduction to reading bodies of water. Gooley covers an impressive range of topics across 376 pages. Oceans, rivers, lakes, and even puddles. He also touches on yachting, photography, identifying features of water, land formations shaped by water, and the plants and animals that live in and around it. Much of the knowledge he provides is foundational rather than advanced. With 71% of the Earth’s surface being water, knowing how to read water is important.

Gooley’s goal is to give readers the tools to view water in a different light, and for the most part, he succeeds. But as someone who whitewater kayaks and fly-fishes, I found his chapters on rivers felt a little shallow. However, as someone who does not sail, I found his descriptions of yachting and life at sea genuinely intriguing. Throughout the book, Gooley weaves in personal anecdotes that add warmth and context to the information. This is an excellent starting point for anyone curious about water, but for those seeking more advanced knowledge, start with Gooley’s book and then dive deeper.