On the right wavelength

William Finnegan of the New Yorker magazine has won awards for his writing on economics and conflict, and has published books on African politics and war.

Why has he written an entire book on surfing, however? It transpires Finnegan spent years catching waves in the South Pacific, Hawaii and California, and Barbarian Days is a lyrical return to those seventies journeys.

A recent review suggested Finnegan’s book wasn’t just about surfing, but was also a sly account of his writing career.