This volume is a collection of papers, preceded by an introductory essay, on coastal physiography. All the authors have made significant contributions to the subject. They are of different nationalities and the papers are, deliberately, not all recent ones, In this book emphasis has been laid primarily on matters which are of general rather than local or even regional value. For example Dr. Jelgersma's paper gives an account of recent fluctuations of sea level and is a most useful summary of the different hypotheses dealing this complex matter. Zenkovicj's paper serves as an introduction to Russian work on coastal physiology and Per Bruun's paper serves as an excellent summary of the economic reasons for coastal research.