Wings or Fins by Eleanor Hawking

Wings or Fins: The Biomechanics of Survival explores how animals master movement in air and water, revealing the evolutionary and physical principles behind nature’s most efficient locomotion strategies. At its core, the book argues that wings and fins—despite their different environments—represent convergent solutions to universal challenges: minimizing energy use, maximizing speed, and adapting to ecological demands. Through vivid case studies, from albatrosses soaring over oceans to tuna slicing through currents, it demonstrates how anatomy and fluid dynamics intersect to shape survival.

The book stands out by bridging aerial and aquatic biology, a rare dual focus that uncovers surprising parallels. For instance, it compares how dynamic soaring in birds and thunniform swimming in fish both exploit fluid dynamics to conserve energy. Accessible explanations of concepts like drag and lift, paired with historical insights from figures like da Vinci, make complex physics relatable. Structured in three sections, it progresses from foundational principles to fossil-based evolutionary narratives, culminating in modern applications like drone design inspired by hummingbird flight or robotics modeled on manta rays.

By weaving biomechanics, ecology, and biomimetic engineering, Wings or Fins offers more than a biological deep dive—it frames locomotion as a blueprint for innovation. Its interdisciplinary approach, combining high-speed videography, genetic research, and conservation science, appeals to both curious readers and professionals seeking nature-inspired solutions to human challenges.