… 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, USAThe book is very well written and informative. —Guy Vandegrift, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio, USAI 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