Never have I been more wrong in my preconceptions about a book. Ribbon of Sand captures PERFECTLY the true mystique of North Carolina's Outer Banks -- how a half-mile wide band of barrier islands survive both because of nature . . . and in spite of it. Each segment of the book ties together both human and natural history. How the wind the shapes the wonderfully high dunes near Kill Devil provided the Wright Brothers with the means to test their gliders and to develop the first airplane. How shifting tides and currents that continue to shape the Outer Banks both abetted . . . and spelled doom for Blackbeard the Pirate.

In short, Ribbon of Sand captured my imagination and instilled in me a greater appreciation for the fragile balance of nature and man on the Outer Banks. I very highly reccomend this book!

10 of 10 found the following review helpful:


Engrossing  Apr 06, 2002
I purchased this book to learn more about the Outer Banks, which I have long wished to visit and where we will spend a week this summer. It is an amazingly interesting and informative book. Geology, geography, biology, weather, ecology, politics, and more are all discussed as is the importance of each in relation to the others. I found the book engrossing and would recommend it even if you are not going to this unique area of the world. Now when the kids ask me why there is a forest in the dunes I will be able to tell them and I will be much better able to appreciate the beauty of the place.

7 of 7 found the following review helpful:


5 Star Subject, 3 Star Writing  Nov 03, 2003 By James Carragher
Anyone who has visited the Outer Banks -- and many who have only seen them from the famous 1970-era Apollo space shot -- knows that the islands are unique, fragile, and someday going to be overrun, either by trashy tourism or, eventually, nature. Alexander and Lazell hope, but are hardly convinced, that nature will get the chance to run its long course. Beyond the fascinating subject, the authors' chapter by chapter analysis of the forces that compete on the Banks -- sand, wind, land, forest -- is a clarifying approach to writing about the science of the Banks. In separate chapters, Alexander and Lazell then effectively show how the forces combined to impact Blackbeard's last battle and the Wright Brothers efforts to fly. The final chapter, Convergences, is like reading a decade-early preview of the impact on the islands of Hurricane Isabel. I would call Alexander and Lazell prescient, but I suspect they themselves would be the first to admit they were simply documenting the inevitable future. Only problem with this excellent book is that the writing feels as if it was done either in turn or by compromise, and is often far less compelling than its subject matter. Still, Ribbon of Sand offers some science, some entertainment, and a whole lot of appreciation for this wonderful speck of the world.

5 of 5 found the following review helpful:


An amazing convergence......  Jan 17, 2009 By redrover "ronny"
........of history, science, poetry and politics. I can't think of an existing category that this book properly belongs to; perhaps the literature of place, if I create one for it. I don't know of another book that so accurately and beautifully gives a true sense of a real place in all of its complexity.

And what a place! A unique treasure that has somehow been substantially preserved while it continues to evolve according to contemporary usage. Not without struggle and controversy, of course. Don't just read the book, go there and experience it in your own way.

Using some kind of specific guide book for planning is probably a good idea: I thought "North Carolina Beaches" by Glenn Morris (Chapel Hill) was useful and pleasant.

1 of 1 found the following review helpful:


one of my favorite nature books  Dec 21, 2011 By Kenway
I've been going to Hatteras Island since 1972 so it's probably obvious that I love the place. If your interested in either the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the Wright Brothers, Blackbeard, geology, reptiles (sea turtles and a very specific snake) or nature in general you'll most likely find this book interesting. The book will lead you to a better understanding of the natural processes and special concerns that the Cape Hatteras National Seashore faces. Ribbon of Sand explains the dynamic, fragile and unique ecosystem that is the Outer Banks and the relatively recent pioneers in botany, geology and herpetology that have studied the area and flipped conventional science upside down. I'd venture to say that if you've ever visited (or plan to visit) the area and have an interest in natural sciences that you'd also enjoy this book. The book presents some history but from a perspective of how nature helped shape history - an approach I find refreshing. I re-read this book before every trip to Hatteras and it brings back great memories along with reminding me that I'm visiting a special place on this earth that's alive and constantly changing.