Book Description

Reviews (1)

Some things I didn't even know....
I like this book mainly because it went to extraordinary lengths to explain why a whale isn't a fish or the differences between a crocodile, an alligator a frog, and a toad.

The thing that surprised me the most is finding out the difference between a donkey and a mule. I never knew that mules couldn't reproduce. I did know that they were stubborn. I also didn't know that there was such a thing as the butterfly moth.

All in all, I found this book entertaining to read and would recommend it to young readers. ... Read more

Book Description

Fishing the Great Lakes is a sweeping history of the destruction of the once-abundant fisheries of the great "inland seas" that lie between the United States and Canada. Though lake trout, whitefish, freshwater herring, and sturgeon were still teeming as late as 1850, Margaret Bogue documents here how overfishing, pollution, political squabbling, poor public policies, and commercial exploitation combined to damage the fish populations even before the voracious sea lamprey invaded the lakes and decimated the lake trout population in the 1940s.From the earliest records of fishing by native peoples, through the era of European exploration and settlement, to the growth and collapse of the commercial fishing industry, Fishing the Great Lakes traces the changing relationships between the fish resources and the people of the Great Lakes region. Bogue focuses in particular on the period from 1783, when Great Britain and the United States first politically severed the geographic unity of the Great Lakes, through 1933, when the commercial fishing industry had passed from its heyday in the late nineteenth century into very serious decline. She shows how fishermen, entrepreneurial fish dealers, the monopolistic A. Booth and Company (which distributed and marketed much of the Great Lakes catch), and policy makers at all levels of government played their parts in the debacle. So, too, did underfunded scientists and early conservationists unable to spark the interest of an indifferent public. Concern with the quality of lake habitat and the abundance of fish increasingly took a backseat to the interests of agriculture, lumbering, mining, commerce, manufacturing, and urban development in the Great Lakes region. Offering more than a regional history, Bogue also places the problems of Great Lakes fishing in the context of past and current worldwide fishery concerns. "The discovery, exploitation, and destruction of the Great Lakes fisheries is an important story that should be told, and Margaret Bogue is the first to tell it from such a broad historical, geographic, and environmental perspective. The great strength of Fishing the Great Lakes is the very extensive historical evidence drawn from American and Canadian archives."-Stephen Bocking, Trent University, Ontario, author of Ecologists and Environmental Politics"Bogue addresses a problem that has caught the attention of no other historian, despite its very basic interest to both the United States and Canada. This book fills a huge void in our understanding of the fisheries of the Great Lakes."-Kurk Dorsey, University of New Hampshire, author of The Dawn of Conservation Diplomacy ... Read more

Book Description

Who hasn't stopped along the banks of a stream to look for fish? Anyone who wants to enjoy fish in their own world will want this lavishly illustrated guide to a new kind of nature study. An expert whose passionate interest in fish is contagious, C. Lavett Smith is promoting a whole new outdoor pastime--fish watching. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Review of Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef, by Randall et al
This book is great for identifying just about every fish you will find in the Pacific, from Australia to the US, and all the Pacific Islands in between. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Book Description

With its spectacular beaches and charming towns, Cape Cod is known around the world as a vacation spot and a summer retreat for the well-to-do. But there is another Cape Cod, a hidden, hardscrabble, year-round world whose hunter-gatherer economy dates back to the Bay Colony. The world of the independent fisherman is one of constant peril, of arcane folkways and expert knowledge, of calculated risk and self-reliance -- and of freedom won daily through backbreaking, solitary work. It is a way of life deep in the American grain.Haunted by the numbers of family fishermen who have recently been forced to abandon the profession, Richard Adams Carey spent a year among a handful of men who stubbornly refuse to do so. Reminiscent of the work of William Warner and Joseph Mitchell, AGAINST THE TIDE is a masterly profile of four New England fishermen in which every page opens onto something more profound: maritime history, maritime ecology, and the poetic celebration of a special American place. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Is Book Burning Illegal?
This is going to be short. After having read "Living On The Edge" I thought I was getting another tale of life as a fisherman.Instead, what I got was life as a fisherman at town council meetings. The book is currently being used under the short leg of my pool table. ...

Better subtitle "Death of the New England Fisherman"?
Being a New England fisherman (hehe-rather, woman) I found the day-to-day lives of the fisherman very interesting-who knew scallops had blue eyes? However, I had a difficult time following the time frame of events because of the way Mr. Carey jumped around. I couldn't even tell exactly what year this book was taking place without some re-reading. The politics involved are sickening in the amount of time wasted and the fact that the committees could get nothing accomplished, evidenced with the ongoing cod crisis in New England today. Too bad none of the politicians involved happened to read this book.

An excellent inside look at the Commercial Fishing Industry.
If you read The Perfect Storm and came away wanting to know more about the commercial fishing industry, this is the book. Carey explains the views of the men and women who risk life, limb, and fortune in the waters off Cape Cod. He also explains the tedium of public hearings and governmental rule making which impact the lives of the fishermen.

I spent the summer in a rented house overlooking the commercial fishing fleet in Bodega Bay, California. I often wondered what happened on those boats once they left the harbor, and what regulations governed them. Against the Tide explains it all.

By way of criticism, I found the characters a bit hard to follow and the discussions of the regulations a bit tedious, but overall I learned a lot.

An enlightening look at a fading industry.
Richard Adams Carey has crafted a detailed look at a failing industry and a very well written narrative. One can only hope that present and future fishermen and politicians, American and Internationally, read Mr. Carey's book and learn from the mistakes of the past. The book brings you into the daily lives of New England fishermen in an honest, pragmatic way that doesn't decry the sins of history but certainly lays them bare for all of us to learn from. The author has carefully crafted and documented his first hand accounts, and recreates other aspects in a highly readable and informative style. If you're sick of Wall Street success stories, here's an in depth look at the lives of many equally important but far less appreciated Americans.

Excellent + Accurate account of todays small boat fishermen.
I've been involved with the local fisheries all my life, and this author has been the closest (so far), to the reality on the "on goings" of the lives effected by the sea. Ranging from the challanges at sea, to the dealings with "managment". I suggest this book to anyone who wants an close insight of this type of livelyhood. Especially any student entering the fisheries profession!! ENJOY!! ... Read more

Book Description

Sharks and their relatives are* the subjects of tremendous interest. The public's fascination is influenced by their roles in movies and popular literature, while the media races to cover stories of predators endangering helpless humans. The alarming threat to shark populations is also garnering significant publicity and leading to a worldwide increase in conservation initiatives. Finally, technological advances are impacting every area of shark research and revealing incredible secrets about these mysterious animals. These major factors indicate the need for a timely synthesis of the biology of sharks and their relatives.Biology of Sharks and Their Relatives brings together the latest information on the phylogeny, physiology, behavior, and ecology of sharks and their relatives, the skates, rays, and chimaeras. Written by a "Who's Who" lineup in North American elasmobranch research, this single-source review of elasmobranch fishes presents cohesive and integrated coverage of key topics and discusses technological advances used in modern shark research. The text establishes relationships among the sharks and their relatives that dominate the Chondrichthyes, describes their functions and physiological processes, and examines issues relevant to managing depleted and threatened fisheries. Each of the 19 chapters includes a comprehensive review of the subject with extensive up-to-date citations.This authoritative book provides a synopsis of the current understanding of elasmobranch fishes while identifying gaps in our knowledge to stimulate further study. Its broad coverage and inclusive nature make this an important resource for marine and conservation biologists, fishery scientists, biological oceanographers, zoologists, ecologists, environmental planners, and students. ... Read more

Book Description

Sharks evoke a mixture of fear and fascination in most people. Portrayed in movies and books as vicious killers, sharks are, in fact, one of the most fascinating and diverse creatures in the ocean.

This handy guide to all the species of sharks in the world will prove invaluable to the diver, tourist, student and naturalist. More than 120 species are covered and illustrated with 450 color photographs to provide a comprehensive look at this magnificent creature.

An ideal book for anyone interested in sharks, it provides up-to-date information with clear color photographs in a handy format for use in the field or at a desk. Readers who need essential facts quickly will be pleased with the orderly presentation of information, the completeness of the entries and the accuracy of the information. The color photographs help in identifying species as well as providing a visual reference for the information presented.

Sharks is an ideal guide and reference for all levels of interest from school project to professional divers. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A photopacked presentation
Over 120 species of sharks and rays are illustrated in this concise guide, which adds essays on their history, biology and ecology. From cover to cover, Sharks is a photopacked presentation that will prove to be a very specific reference, and any library seeking one good comprehensive shark book will find it a welcome addition. ... Read more

Book Description

For cognitive ecologists, fish biologists, animal behaviorists, and inquiring anglers

How and why do trout think? How do they decide where to eat and which food to eat? Why do they refuse to behave as predicted, stumping anglers by rejecting a larger fly for a smaller one or not responding at all to anything in an angler's box? How do trout know to bolt to one particular covered area after being hooked or flushed? Why can trout smell better than humans but not remember as well? Citing the most recent scientific findings in a readily understandable form, Thomas C. Grubb, Jr. addresses these questions and more in The Mind of the Trout. It is the first book to bring together many varied concepts of cognitive ecology as applied to trout and their salmonid relatives: char, salmon, grayling, and whitefish. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Good for the Science-Minded Angler
Most scientific books on fish aren't very useful from an angler's point of view. They use scientific jargon to describe things we already know. This book is in that vein, yet I found it an interesting read, and it did help solidify my angling thinking. For this reason I'm giving it a four-star rating.

Here's my greatly simplified interpretation of some of the points discussed in the book: Bigger baits generally catch bigger fish, and the closer your lure passes to a fish, the more likely the fish is to move for it.

Fish form a search image based on prey they encounter frequently, causing them to reject possible food items that don't fit the search image. One time on a mountain trout lake I tried all my baitfish lures without getting a strike. When I finally tied on a nymph, I scored. These fish were used to feeding on insects, and they ignored lures that weren't insect imitations.

Fish are more likely to mistake your lure for prey if it's moving fast. On the other hand, if its moving too fast they may reject it totally. So very your retrieve speeds until you find what they want.

Fish are more likely to mistake a lure for prey under reduced visibility situations caused by low light or turbidity.

Don't be afraid to tie on a brightly colored or high-contrast lure if more natural patterns aren't working. It will help your lure stand out and may draw a strike.

Feeding activity is reduced if fish sense a predator in the area, so avoid being spotted. ... Read more

Book Description

This guidebook, enhanced by William Crary's 66 species paintings, will assist in identifying and learning about the fish species that inhabit California's waters. Also habitat photos, maps and diagrams ... Read more

Book Description

First published in 1719 and exceptional in its day for its 460 brilliantly colored copper engravings, Louis Renard's treatise on the marine life of the East Indies was dismissed in the 19th and 20th centuries because of its apparent embellishment, exaggeration, and even falsification. Ichthyologist Theodore W. Pietsch here reexamines this classic work and its almost surrealistic renderings and discovers a work of considerable scientific and historical interest.

In addition to its importance as one of the rarest natural history books known -- and one of the very few pre-Linnaean works on marine organisms to be published in color -- Renard's book provides a description of the marine fauna of the East Indies that can be interpreted in light of modern scholarship.InFishes, Crayfishes, and Crabs, Pietsch places Renard's original book fully in its historical and scientific context. He supplies a facsimile of the original text, a full translation with extensive historical notes, and 100 extraordinary color plates with their legends translated and annotated. Pietsch also includes an examination of Renard's life and how he came to write his remarkable book along with a detailed taxonomic chart that identifies most of Renard's illustrated specimens.

Reviews (2)

Great Book.
Great book for the cichlid enthusiast. Good references and authors.

Fantastic subject matter at a less than fantastic price.
This text covered the aspects of cichlidae which make it such a fascinating group. Most chapters were sound in their scientific approaches but the price was beyond ridiculous. ... Read more

Book Description

Featuring:• An introduction to 68 tropical fish• Stunning color photographs• Commonand scientific name indices ... Read more

Book Description

This beautifully illustrated guide covers an unprecedented range of species that may be sighted along the coastline or offshore by the whale watcher, bird watcher, fisher, boating enthusiast, or natural history buff. Designed in a handy pocket size, the book provides concise information for identifying the invertebrates, mammals, birds, turtles, fish, sharks and rays, and even floating seaweeds and common algae that live along the Atlantic coast and offshore from North Carolina to the Canadian provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island.

With range maps and text on pages directly opposite the full-color illustrations, the book makes identification of more than two hundred species of offshore wildlife quick and easy. Special features include full-page spreads to compare similar species of seabirds, and inserts to help identify whales by their blowhole patterns, diving, and other behaviors.
Those with an interest in ocean life know that surprises often appear dangling at the end of a fishing line, floating beside the boat, washed up on the shore, or flying overhead. This is the ultimate guide for those who are curious about such creatures and the marine environment in which they dwell.
... Read more

Book Description

With more than 20,000 species, fishes are by far the most numerous group of all vertebrates. They are also the earliest group of backboned animals having evolved in the seas almost 500 million years ago. While they remain confined to water, fishes in all their variety now exist in an extraordinarily diverse range of habitats.
Magnificently illustrated with more than 200 spectacular color photographs and 150 original illustrations, diagrams, and maps, this indispensable encyclopedia reveals the fascinating world of fishes in an authoritative and stimulating way. The highly readable text, written by leading experts from around the world, incorporates the most recent scientific research and presents a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the complex, diverse, and often bizarre lives of fishes.

Key Features
* Magnificently illustrated in full color
* Includes hundreds of color photographs and meticulously researched diagrams and maps
* Written by an international team of world recognized authorities ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Excellent book for anyone studying fishes
This book was extremely helpful to me while I learned all about the fishes at the Aquarium of the Pacific. It is very concise and yet includes every order and family that I ever encountered during my studies. I recommend it wholeheartedly!

47 PhDs put this phenomenal book together.
This 1995 copyright date assures the reader s/he is getting the latest in deep-sea discoveries. Scientists can gather more information with the latest, quieter cameras. It has photos from the most beautiful to the most grotesque fishes. The text is organized, readable & enjoyable ... Read more

Book Description

The Field Guide to the Samoan Archipelago: Fish, Wildlife, and Protected Areas is an outstanding reference book featuring descriptions and beautiful watercolor illustrations of approximately 500 species of marine (fishes, sea turtles, marine invertebrates, marine mammals, etc.) and terrestrial fauna (flying foxes, birds, skinks, geckos, land snails, etc.) that constitute the wealth of biodiversity found in the ecosystems of Samoa's coral reefs, ocean waters, sea grass beds, rain forests, mangrove forests, and wetlands. In addition it contains a chapter describing the "protected areas" (parks, reserves, and biodiversity conservation areas), as well as highlights wildlife, highlighting the critical environmental issues facing the archipelago. The only available field guide to the area, the book is a compact, colorful, easy-to-use reference, essential for visitors to the Samoan Islands

Written to enhance the archipelago’s overall natural resource management program, to heighten public awareness and support for ecosystem protection and stewardship, and to further environmental education in local schools and learning institutions, the Field Guide is an informative guidebook for tourists and other visitors to the archipelago. It is a readable reference for anyone interested in natural history and the biodiversity of the Samoan Islands, as well as an authoritative, accessible text for Samoan students. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

beautiful
Beautiful pictures. Alot of effort and time went into this book. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

appreciated this book
i did not realize that this book would contain such a wealth of information. the title is misleading, because the contents include very extensive scholarly research , written in easily understandable and entertaining prose.
You are shown a huge trove of information regarding sharks, the various types, their feeding habits, how they mate, where they travel,where to see them underwater, popular myths, how to fish for them, the dangers and pleasures of diving etc etc
I recommend this book to those who have any curiosity about sharks. You can learn the real facts, and a vast amount of information-in fact,sibly more than you ever wanted to know.
The only thing missing is recipes. ... Read more

Book Description

Here's the definitive guide to all the ones that--hopefully--won't get away while you're fishing Texas' abundant fresh waters. Sportsmen and women will find all their favorites--bass, crappie, sunfish, catfish, buffalo, shad, and trout, to mention just a few--in large, full-color illustrations coupled with an easy-to-read, informative text.This colorful, attractive publication features 46 of Texas' most important and interesting freshwater fishes and gives details on each species' distribution, appearance, and life habits, along with angling tips and other fishing information. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Continues to be the premier guide in its field
Now in a newly updated, revised and expanded fourth edition, Daniel Gotshall's Pacific Coast Inshore Fishes continues to be the premier guide in its field. This fourth edition is enhanced with forty-four new species along with a great many new photographs. Included are family descriptions which previous editions did not have. Each species descriptions include up-to-date information on sizes and geographic ranges. Pacific Coast Inshore Fishes is an essential and highly recommended reference for ichthyologists, aquarium staff, and anyone with an interest in the varieties and life cycles of fish dwelling in Pacific coastal oceanic habitats. ... Read more