You can read a lot about a country by looking at its beaches: across cultures, the beach is that rare public space in which all absurdities and quirky national behaviours can be found.

In a format that slips easily into a beach bag, Martin Parr challenges us with moments of absurdity and immerses us in the traditions and rituals associated with the beach. Parr has been photographing the beach for decades, from close-ups of sunbathers to the fervour of swimmers diving into the water, not to mention the inevitable sandy picnic. This collection presents the best shots from his exploration of beach culture, with photos of holidaymakers taken in Argentina, Brazil, China, Spain, Italy, Latvia, Japan, the United States, Mexico, Thailand and, of course, the United Kingdom. The book includes a text by Martin Parr and features a cover inspired by Hawaiian shirts.

Link to the video bookflip