As playground, theatre of war and cultural crossing-point, the North Sea has shaped the world in myriad ways, forged villains and heroes, and determined the fates of nations. But it's not all grim: the seaside holiday was born on North Sea beaches, and artists and writers have been inspired by glinting sun on the wave-tops. With a wry eye and a warm coat, Tom Blass travels the edges of the North Sea meeting fishermen, artists, bomb disposal experts and bĂĽrgermeisters. In doing so he attempts to piece together its manifold histories and to reveal truths, half-truths and fictions otherwise submerged.