… a potpourri of good physics picking on the many areas in which basic and not so basic physics apply. … The chapter on fluid dynamics sets this book apart by its sceptical and pragmatic approach … Kimball puts each idea in its place showing where its strengths and weaknesses are. In doing so he provides a rare overview which so many books fail to give. … Chapters on wind generation and strategy conclude a fascinating read. … it is an intriguing gathering together of many disparate ideas which will keep the sailing scientist quiet in his bunk for many evenings. Also, it should be a standard introduction to any fluid dynamics course. —R.S. Shorter, Contemporary Physics, 52, 2011 … an excellent introduction to the forces that enable sailboats to perform … . John Kimball has contributed a readable explanation of the physics behind sailing that will appeal to a wide range of technically oriented readers. —James Harper, University of New Hampshire, Durham, USA The book is very well written and informative. —Guy Vandegrift, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio, USA I like the book very much. It is well written and … fills a nice gap between my very introductory book and an even more detailed, mathematical approach. —Bryon D. Anderson, Ph.D., Kent State University, Ohio, USA