What We’re Watching
Ocean Guardian
Few names are as closely associated with ocean exploration as Jacques-Yves Cousteau. The French explorer spent decades documenting the seas, bringing underwater worlds to the public through film and television. A new National Geographic documentary, Becoming Cousteau, traces his life, work and the ideas that made him a global voice for marine conservation. Directed by Academy Award–nominated filmmaker Liz Garbus, the film examines Cousteau’s personal journey, his landmark films and inventions, and the way he inspired generations to care for the ocean.
The documentary delves into both Cousteau’s professional achievements and the complexities of his private life, using archival footage, interviews and historical context to paint a nuanced portrait. Viewers can expect a look at the technologies and storytelling that turned underwater research into accessible, powerful cinema, as well as the environmental message that remained central to Cousteau’s work. The film premiered on the big screen in late fall and was slated to appear on the National Geographic Channel and other streaming services in 2022, offering broader access to his story and legacy.
For anyone interested in ocean history, conservation, or the relationship between media and science, this documentary is a compelling watch. It highlights how one individual’s curiosity and persistence can change public perception of the natural world and motivate collective action to protect it.
More salty reads
Moving Water
Tides shape the rhythm of the sea, influencing navigation, coastal ecosystems, fishing and recreation. In Tides: The Science and Spirit of the Ocean, Jonathan White explores this fundamental phenomenon from both scientific and human perspectives. He travels to places where tides create dramatic natural events—searching for tidal bores, visiting communities whose daily lives are organized around tidal cycles, and examining projects that harness tidal currents for power.
White combines accessible science with travel writing and personal observation, illustrating how the predictable rise and fall of water affects cultures, economies and landscapes. The book is enriched with photographs and illustrations that clarify tidal mechanics and bring distant coastal scenes to life, making it useful reading for boaters, surfers, anglers and anyone curious about how the ocean’s movements shape our world.
($25, Trinity University Press)
Hurricane Warning
The past two decades have seen some of the most intense hurricanes in recent memory, with storms such as Katrina, Wilma and Irma leaving long-lasting impacts on communities and cruising grounds. Eric Jay Dolin’s A Furious Sky: The Five-Hundred-Year History of America’s Hurricanes offers a sweeping historical perspective on these powerful storms, tracing their influence from early encounters during the age of exploration through modern catastrophic events.
Dolin weaves meteorology with social and political history, showing how hurricanes have shaped settlements, economies and national responses to disaster. The narrative reaches from hurricanes that disrupted Columbus’s voyages to recent disasters like Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico in 2017, and it recounts tragedies such as the Galveston Hurricane of 1900, which remains one of the deadliest storms in U.S. history. By situating storms within broader historical trends, the book helps readers understand both the natural forces at work and the human choices that affect resilience and recovery.
($30, Liveright)
What We’re Listening to
FISH TALK
Andy Mill, once celebrated as one of America’s top skiers, turned his competitive drive to the world of sportfishing after retiring from professional skiing in 1981. He became a prominent tarpon angler in South Florida and later translated his expertise and personality into a popular podcast that showcases the angling world’s leading figures.
The “Mill House” podcast features interviews with notable anglers and fishing personalities—veterans and innovators who share stories, techniques and reflections on a life at sea. Guests have included well-known guides, tournament anglers and authors who discuss fly-fishing, big-game pursuits and the culture of coastal sportfishing. Episodes are available to watch on YouTube and to stream through major podcast platforms such as Google Play and Apple Podcasts, making the show accessible to listeners who want expert insight, practical tips and entertaining stories from the waterfront.