Reviews (6)

Incomparable!
Hawaii's Sea Creatures is the very best field guide to marine invertebrates ever published. There are an amazing number of species listings contained in this huge book. Jellyfish, crabs, shrimps, nudibranchs, shellfish, and dozens of others are covered here. A landlocked ocean lover will certainly appreciate the beautiful and colorful photos of marvelous creatures. The range that the guide covers seems to be much wider than Hawaii, covering the Micronesian area as well. The book's excellent detail and photographs keep the reader engrossed for a very long time. (Did this to me) Your very best buy would be the special hardback edition, which is newly updated and one of the best purchases here on Amazon.com.

Damn good
and who knew he was just a professional photographer? the level of information is so in detail, i thought he was a biologist! GREAT BOOK!!!

This is Hawaii!
Hawaii isn`t just big waves or sunny beaches.
For a fish enthusiast,it is a heaven of beautifull animals.
And this book is very helpfull when knowing what animals that hides beneath the surface of the ocean.
Practically every habitat is invaded by creatures creeping,floating,crawling or swimming.
Over 500 species are identified here. Scientific & common names,natural history,size,cultural importance,ecology and suitability for aquariums - everything can be found here!
The habitats are also presented,before the ID section begins.
The book begins with a chapter about sponges,which are not as diverse here as in many other areas,but nevertheless,they are very colorfull. Then,we will see some jellyfish in the next chapter. My favourite is the white-spotted one. We also have Hawaii`s corals here. They are not well-known and not so colorfull as their relatives in the Indian Ocean,but it is good to know their names. The anemones are also quite anonymous,but very colorfull. After the huge coral chapter,the worms are presented,both the bristleworms and the nudibranch-like flatworms. The latter are the most beautifull creatures of the reef,with all of their colors,but not the cutest. The worm chapter is rather small,but the next chapter is covering the molluscs. They are very diverse,with more than 110 000 species worldwide. Both clams,shells,nudibranchs (=sea snails)and octopuses are presented here. The cowries are famous here,and I can`t understand why their shells are so famous - it is the living animals that covers the shell that are really amazing!Other shells included here are the venomous cone shells,the huge triton and many more. The nudibranchs should not be forgotten either. Their colors and shapes are endless in variations and beauty. Black,white,green,yellow,purple,pink - every color exists!They are even beating the fishes in beauty. The octopuses,of which only 8 species are presented,are rather similar to each other,so it`s not much to say about them. Then,I jump to the second of the book`s big chapters - about the Crustaceans. The crustaceans are my favourite invertebrates and therefore,this section is very interesting. Many rare species of reef crabs,lobsters,shrimps,mantis shrimps and unusually colorfull hermit crabs are presented here. My favorite is the rock lobster. The last chapter treats the echinoderms,which are highly developed although they lack head!The seastars,sea cucumbers,urchins and featherstars are included here.

After you`ve seen that chapter,the wonderfull book is over!
And it has been really great.
REMEMBER: This is just what I have told you!Now it`s your turn to dive in and get your own invertebrate knowledge!

A wonderful book
I just returned from a vacation in Hawaii. I took this book, along with a reef fish book also by Mr. Hoover. While I highly recommend both books, the comprehensiveness and quality of this book make it a real standout. How Mr. Hoover managed to include photos and descriptive text of so many common reef invertebrates is amazing enough, but I was really impressed with how much fun this book was to read. I found myself taking it to dinner and reading (much to my wife's chagrin).

Hawaii's marine invertebrates revealed!
Author John Hoover has done the impossible. He has given us a book that covers over 500 species of marine invertebrates in Hawaii with excellent color photos of each, an explanation of major groups, and specific information on each species. Mr Hoover's writing style is highly readable and to the point. The list of people he contacted for taxonomic information on species reads like a "who's who" of invertebrate researchers. This is a tremendous undertaking and an extremely valuable resource for the marine enthusiast. There is no other book like it! ... Read more

Book Description

This is the first comprehensive field guide to the mammals of Central America, one of the most diverse and species-rich regions in the world. Generously illustrated with 48 full-color plates and many drawings, the book is designed for use both by amateur naturalists and professional biologists.The guide provides accounts for all mammals native to the land and surrounding waters of Central America and southeast Mexico. Detailed accounts include complete descriptions, measurements, range maps, and comparisons with similar species.The entire distribution, habitat, endangered status, and behaviors are also described, with sources of scientific references.For travelers to the region, a guide to the major parks and preserves is provided, with lists of the animals likely to found in each. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Absolutely the best mammals guide for the region
I had the opportunity to participate in a research project in Nicaragua. A local Nicaraguan university library allowed me to check out and use any field guide I wanted. Within days, all other field guides were permanently stowed in the bottom of my bag until I could return them to the university.

Having never been to the tropics before, I was still able to identify every bat I caught using mist nets with only the aid of this book (my local guides were unfamiliar with the bats).
This book will be your best piece of equipment if you plan to study mammals in Central America.

One of the first things I did when I returned home was order my own copy of this wonderful book.

A wonderful companion for both amateurs and pros
This field guide is a definitive yet handy guide that will surely be a classic of its type. It covers all the living species of native mammals from Mexico to Panama (including aquatic species such as whales and otters). For each species there is a careful description of its physical appearance along with notes on habitats, ranges (with maps) and behaviour, as well as other useful comments such as the best place to see a particular species, what the ground tracks look like and the status of threatened species. It is an absolute mine of fascinating information, much of it newly gathered or previously available only in obscure academic sources. There are excellent introductory sections on the main mammal groups, and good indexes and bibliographies -- in short , everything one needs to find and enjoy looking at mammals. But the most unique and useful feature (as well as the greatest delight -- and why this is a true classic), are the illustrations - hundreds of beautifully drawn colour plates painted from life (often in the most demanding of circumstances), that will allow you to settle important questions like "Is that a Woolly False Vampire Bat or a Great False Vampire Bat that just bit you" without flaming your travelling companions. (The book is especially strong on Bats.) Flying squirrels, monkeys, oppossums, sloths, deer mice, armadillos dolphins and skunks, they are all here. I would highly recommend this book both for amateurs and professionals (whether they are going to central america or not!). Every academic library should have a copy of it.

The care taken over detail throughout make the book both scientifically valuable and highly readable. It is a true labour of love - and just look at this quote from the author's preface! "Some species I painted while sitting in a truck, using the steering wheel as an easel, and some in a tent with a hadlamp at night, but most were done outside during the day, sitting on the ground or on a log. The white background of the plates suffered from a continuous onslaught of dust, sweat, and grime, and other indefinable debris. Carrying the plates throughout Central America involved some harrowing experiences, one of which was a short flight to Tortuguero in Costa Rica. The pilot had at length persuaded me to put my portfolio in the front baggage hold in the nose of the plane, and after we took off he realized that the door to this hold had come open. While the other four passengers agonized over the possibility of the plane going down if the luggage became tangled in the propellors, I was trying to follow our coordinates so I could search for my plates if they fell to the swampy ground below. Fortunately, we landed at a small airfield, corrected the problem, and lost nothing but peace of mind." ... Read more

Book Description

The American horseshoe crab that comes ashore on the East Coast in vast numbers to mate and nest is much the same creature that haunted the coast before the time of the dinosaurs. It is among the world's most intensely studied marine invertebrates, critical to our understanding of many groups of organisms, both modern and extinct, and crucial to the ecology of large estuaries such as the Delaware Bay. Some stocks of this great survivor, whose ancestors made it through the mass extinction some 286 million years ago, have been severely depleted today because of overfishing and habitat destruction.

Carl N. Shuster, Jr., H. Jane Brockmann, and Robert B. Barlow are at the forefront of research on Limulus polyphemus, and in this book they bring together twenty scientists who have worked on all aspects of horseshoe crab biology to compile the first fully detailed, comprehensive view of the species. An indispensable resource, the volume describes the horseshoe crab's behavior, natural history, and ecology; its anatomy, physiology, distribution, development, and life cycle; the puzzle of its immune system; and its present management and future conservation.

Book Description

The only guide devoted exclusively to low-latitude cruising, Tropical Cruising Handbook arms cruising sailors with the knowledge and skills they need to master the challenges of sailing the tropics. From navigating uncharted reefs to navigating Pacific cultures, from the effects of the tropical environment on boats and gear to the prevention and treatment of tropical illnesses and health hazards, the Handbook covers all the bases. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

The Best Practical Guide In One Book
There are lots of books that do their best to guide you toward successful sailing but they never tell the whole picture. They all leave something out so you have to buy several books to get all that you need. This is the best and most complete single book on what it takes to do practical sailing, specializing in the tropics. Everything to think about... food and it's preservation,repairs to the boat, weather(cyclones) and forcasting, tropical diseases and how to stay healthy, and my favorite- pirates..how to stay away from them and be safe...of course much more. It's highly readable,too. If there was a fault I guess would have to say I wish there was more story telling of the author's experiences in his 25 year cruising time.But this book can't be beat for practical teaching and price. So I guess I read stories another time.

Tropical Cruising Handbook
I have been a "wannabe" tropical cruiser for several years. I have read several 'cruising guides' and many magazine articles, but when I do go this is the one that will be on board. It is all there, well presented and in language we all understand. A gold-mine of solid, practical information, excellent value.

A practical guide to forfilling your Dreams
I am not a person who is easily impressed, but having recently received and read "Tropical Cruising Handbook" by Mark Smaalders and Kim des Rochers I felt the need to write and congratulate the authors on producing a truly excellent book. The book is a superb and comprehensive guide to all that you need to know to make your tropical cruise a rewarding and safe experience. In particular, I was very impressed with the authors' sensitivity to the cultures and people of the tropics.

This book has reinforced my desire to sail the tropics.

I can't wait to cast off and set sail. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Marine Invertebrates and Plants
This book is worth while as it is loaded with information. Though it maybe a older book, the information makes it a great resource. ... Read more

Book Description

The Art of Shelling is a shell hunting guidebook. It is interesting reading for everyone who loves seashells and the seashore environment.The book explains what shells are and details specifically where and how to find them. The information is presented in an enjoyable and easy-to-read format. After learning about each location, you will feel as though you had actually been there.This completely revised second edition is the authors way of sharing what they have learned during more than fifteen years of intensive seashore travel, beach exploration, and mollusk study. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Where in the World are all the Sea Shells?
This book will help anybody on the Eastern Seaboard find shelling spots from Maine to Florida. It is especially helpful with local customs and laws.

Superbly written and organized
Now in an expanded second edition, Chuck and Debbie Robinson's The Art Of Shelling continues to be the definitive guide to finding shells and other beach collectibles at shelling locations ranging the American coastline from Maine to Florida. This compendium of information about the seashore and seashells has expanded to include new shelling locations, information on additional seashells and sea creatures, more illustrations, and an enhanced travel reference section. Superbly written and organized for the non-specialist general reader, The Art Of Shelling is a perfect guide for the hobbyist and collector, as well as the simple vacationer seeking unique mementos of their seaside visits. ... Read more

Book Description

Invertebrate Zoology deals with the animals that have no backbones, including the shrimps, crabs, sponges, worms, snails and squids. This book deals specifically with the invertebrates that spend all or part of their lifecycle in a freshwater environment. (As is usual and as in the previous edition, aquatic insects are excluded due to their vast numbers.) The invertebrate species far outnumber the vertebrate species, and a through understanding of aquatic invertebrate zoology is essential to understanding the community structure of freshwater environments.

... Read more

Reviews (1)

A great book with keys that work!
This is an excellent book that belongs on the self of anyone who wants to be considered up-to-speed on the critters that dwell in our waters. I've had the opportunity to use the annelid and the tardigrade keys thus far, and both worked wonderfully. The general information for all of the groups is well written and up-to-date, and the addition of color plates is a nice touch. Highly recommended! ... Read more

Book Description

This behind-the-scenes look at careers in marine mammal care and training addresses questions such as What is it really like to be a trainer? and How can I become one, too? and offers strategies and alternatives to help identify potential career options in this field. It covers a variety of aspects involved in being a trainer, from typical days on the job and training different behaviors to the kind of education needed and the value of swimming and scuba skills. This thorough guide contains a comprehensive bibliography for additional reference and an invaluable resource directory with extensive contact information for more than 150 educational, governmental, and professional sources around the world. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A must read for preparing for this career!!!!
This book is an easy read and gives simple explanations. However, it is packed with valuable tips! I recently had an interview for an internship in marine mammal training and every question that they asked in the interview was on the list of questions that were in this book. It gives great tips on how to prepare for the career and what the employers are REALLY looking for.

A book after my own heart!
Finally! A book that was written after my own heart! I've had the same dream to one day work with marine mammals since I was 7 years old. I'm 18 now, and that dream has still not changed. But because it is such a competative and unique job, it's not every day you run into a dolphin trainer and therefore, it's difficult to get direct information about just how to go about doing this. Of course I've researched many different books about these beautiful animals, but it's not every day that you find a guide on how to actually achieve this dream career! Imagine how thrilled I was to find this book! It's an inside look at working with marine mammals, by a senior trainer himself. Terry gave me tips and suggestions that I would never have thought of, nor realized until it was perhaps too late. Preparing youself with the proper experience is one of the most important things, and with the help of the "aquarium guide" I discovered that there is a small marine aquarium, not 40 minutes from me, where they have volunteer programs that involve the rescue and rehabilitation of dolphins, otters, and sea turtles. Thank you to Terry Samansky for this wonderful book! I'm sure I will be referring to it throughout my continued career search!

To watch trainers in action
Check out the Dolphin Research Center on Grassy Key in Captain Jon Explores the Ocean (also available on Amazon).

Great for beginning to explore animal careers!

As an animal career consultant and author of the on-line Unusual Animal Career Series, I am always on the lookout for career texts for those interested in working with animals... This book serves a specific niche for those who are enamored with the thought of working with marine mammals. It presents a good overview of marine mammals, what the job entails and answers many of the questions most people ask.

The text also includes suggestions as to what type of education is needed, how to plan and research, and what is the proper etiquette to use in contacting people in the industry. It even touches on applications, resumes and interviewing. Finally, the book also includes a resource directory of a variety of facilities and organizations involved with marine mammals.

If you are just starting your quest for a career or are besieged by questions regarding this type of career I highly recommend this book... ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (1)

Accurate, fun pictures.
This is a book which is accurate in its drawings, with the official names for many, if not all, the different species. I am an adult, a frustrated artist with no talent whatsoever for drawing. I have really enjoyed coloring these pictures with colored pencils. There is a lot of small detail work in some of the pictures, which I think would be difficult with crayons, but of course, all the detail doesn't need to be observed. I have loved this book and have colored 2/3 of the pictures. It is my favorite of the half dozen coloring books I bought. There are completed colored pictures of about a quarter of the drawings, which I appreciate very much, as it gives inspiration to those of us who would like to experiment with shading, etc. ... Read more

Book Description

Master storyteller Peter Benchley combines high adventure with practical information in Shark Trouble, a book that is at once a thriller and a valuable guide to being safe in, on, under, and around the sea. The bestselling author of Jaws, The Deep, and other works draws on more than three decades of experience to share information about sharks and other marine animals.
“Shark attacks on human beings generate a tremendous amount of media coverage,” Benchley writes, “partly because they occur so rarely, but mostly, I think, because people are, and always have been, simultaneously intrigued and terrified by sharks. Sharks come from a wing of the dark castle where our nightmares live—deep water beyond our sight and understanding—and so they stimulate our fears and fantasies and imaginations.”
Benchley describes the many types of sharks (including the ones that pose a genuine threat to man), what is and isn’t known about shark behavior, the odds against an attack and how to reduce them even further—all reinforced with the lessons he has learned, the mistakes he has made, and the personal perils he has encountered while producing television documentaries, bestselling novels, and articles about the sea and its inhabitants. He tells how to swim safely in the ocean, how to read the tides and currents, what behavior to avoid, and how to survive when danger suddenly strikes. He discusses how to tell children about sharks and the sea and how to develop, in young and old alike, a healthy respect for the ocean.
As Benchley says, “The ocean is the only alien and potentially hostile environment on the planet into which we tend to venture without thinking about the animals that live there, how they behave, how they support themselves, and how they perceive us. I know of no one who would set off into the jungles of Malaysia armed only with a bathing suit, a tube of suntan cream, and a book, and yet that’s precisely how we approach the oceans.” No longer. Not after you’ve read Shark Trouble. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

So,me useful information, but a lot seems to be "filler"
Heard the taped version of SHARK TROUBLE, written and read
by Peter Benchley . . . this is a nonfiction book that tells you how to be safe in, on, under, and around the ocean . . . Benchley, author of JAWS, draws on more than three decades of
experience around sharks and other marine animals . . . there is
some useful information here, but a lot of it has seems to be
"filler" material; e.g., a short fiction piece on what would happen if every shark on the planet were to be killed . . . also, I'm not sure why he bothered to include a whole chapter on ocean swimming safety . . . overall, I came away with the felling that you have to be careful when in the ocean, in that there's a LOT of marine life that is potentially harmful to humans (though I'm not so sure that I had to keep hearing this over and over) . . . I further did come to accept Benchley's premise that we should redirect our research priorities and spend more money on looking at all the valuable resources in the water--and less on the much scarcer resources in outer space.

A Surprising Delight
I really enjoyed this audio book. In it, Peter Benchely recounts his adventures in the seas interspersed with factual information on sharks and other sea creatures. Benchely, unlike some authors, reads his work with enthusiasm and skill, making it engaging from beginning to end. I came away with a much deeper respect for the sea and the creatures in it and a renewed sense of the importance of understanding the interconnectedness of all things. Besides the environmental importance of the book, it is full of fun and funny and even scary adventure stories. I highly recommend it.

Disappointing
Peter Benchley, author of Jaws, pens a non-fiction book setting the record straight on shark behavior. It sounds like a great idea and it is, but the execution is horrible. I would say maybe 50% of this book is actually about sharks; the rest merely lists dangers of the ocean (rips, tides, etc.) and non-shark creatures to be feared. Useful and mildly interesting, but I wanted a *shark* book. Another irritant is Benchley's "man is the real threat" stance. While valid (and true), his position is presented with an incredibly heavy hand. Peter, that horse isn't getting any more dead, so lay off! It's not a good sign when I end up tossing a book on the floor and yelling "I get it." Overall, a massive disappointment.

Benchley's Act of Contrition Works!
Peter Benchley seeks to atone for his unparalleled contribution to shark hysteria in Shark Trouble, a much more factual account of the Shark than his earlier works. Having achieved shark fame through "Jaws", Mr. Benchley was subsequently invited over the next several years to come play in the sea with the fearsome critters by numerous people looking to hype their own shark agendas with an appearance by the creator of "Jaws". After many years of diving and rubbing shoulders with shark legends, actual sharks and researchers in the field of shark behavior, Peter Benchly writes this memoir to philosophically reflect on the experience of his personal shark odyssey while touching from time to time on the emerging scientific understanding of the shark. I found it to be an excellent read.

Enjoyable listening, but...
Peter Benchley makes a good, light, and accomplished reading of his own book. This is easily accessible and not bogged down with science, though depending on what you want, that could be a drawback also. There are some good personal anecdotes. I liked the story of Peter's swim (flight?) on the back of a Manta Ray, and the time he nearly got his family eaten by Hammerheads.

It should be said that the book seems a little disjointed at times, and there are chapters that actually have nothing to do with sharks, but instead talk about safety in the water and other sea creatures. The author takes a strong environmental attitude throughout with regard to shark conservation, and is critical of the bad press sharks get in the media (but Peter, didn't you.. er.. have just a little to do with that?)

A good book for light reading or listening, but don't expect too much in the way of serious information. ... Read more

Book Description

Scuba diving is one of the world's fastest growing sports and, as a result, there is an ever increasing demand for authoritative, practical information about this challenging activity. The Diver's Handbook meets this need, and covers everything from what equipment to buy and which training courses to attend to basic health and safety measures, as well as special diving options such as underwater photography, wreck diving, and ice diving. In addition, the marine environment is examined in detail to help divers gain a better understanding of the sea and the myriad fascinating creatures that inhabit it. With a comprehensive and up-to-date text by well-respected diving and conservation expert Alan Mountain, a practical fact-filled format, numerous information panels, and more than 300 high-quality photographs and illustrations, The Diver's Handbook is certain to become an invaluable addition to every diver's bookshelf. Alan Mountain is an experienced subaqua diver who has been diving since 1967 and has nearly 1000 dives to his credit. His interest is in natural history, with particular reference to the marine environment. (81/2 X 11, 160 pages, color photos, illustrations) ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great book for beginners
I was someone thinking about taking up scuba diving and I wanted to find a book that would give me some basic information. This book fit the bill perfectly. I found it to be well written and attractively laid out. However, If your already a certified diver, this book won't tell you anything you don't already know. It could be gifted to friends your trying to convince to take up diving. ... Read more

Book Description

A full-color, highly regarded text that is recognized for its readability and balanced coverage of biological and ecological topics of marine biology. Especially strong in biology. ... Read more

Book Description

More than 1,000 illustrations, arranged according to visual similarities, show plant and animal species of the Atlantic Coast from the Bay of Fundy to Cape Hatteras. This guide includes information on how to locate each species by geographic range, tidal range, tidal level, season, topography, and climate. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A great guide, but not what many expect
This book, "A Field Guide to the Atlantic Seashore" is a great field guide. It presents an excellent overview of the life one commonly finds along the Atlantic coast of the USA. The book is arranged taxonomically, and each entry contains a description of characters useful in determining what you are looking at. As a professional biologist, I find this book to be superior in many ways to the Audubon Guides. For example, this Peterson guide includes both common AND scientific names by each entry, the book is arranged taxonomically rather than by other less important characters like color, etc.

This book is not, however, what many casual naturalists are looking for in a field guide. They often look for a book filled by page after page of photographs or illustrations. This book is filled by page after page of information more useful to the more advanced amateur or to the professional. There are several illustrations, many are simple line drawings that show details of important characteristics used to tell one kind of organism from another.

All in all a great field guide for the advanced amateur and professional. This is not, however, a book that is as likely to be embraced by the casual observer.

5 stars for the more professional audience, but 4 stars for the casual observer.

You might be happiest doing what another reviewer suggested... to use this book along with a photo field guide such as an Audubon Field guide to the region.

Happy splashing!

Alan Holyoak, Dept of Biology, Manchester College, IN

For all lovers of the Atlantic coast
saboettger@yahoo.com. The Peterson field identification guide to the Atlantic Seashore by Kenneth L. Gosner is a useful tool in fieldwork. Seaweeds and animals are arranged taxonomically and described in detail regarding their distinguishing characteristics. All weeds and animals are called by both their scientific and common name and are described in an easily understood manner. The plates with drawings of creatures found along the Atlantic seashore are helpful to establish visual identification of seaweeds and animals. It is useful that the book explains different marine habitats that you may encounter as well as going into detail on important physical marine features such as water currents, salinity, tides etc. The details on how to maintain and preserve animals are an additional plus of this book. The Peterson field guide is a good tool for the use in class as well as for you personal exploration of the seashore. I would recommend its use in combination with the Audubon Guide to Shore Animals of North America. These books would complement each other since the Audubon Guide displays a similar identification system but enhances it with pictures of animals rather than drawings. The combined use of these books would increase the accuracy of your identification. ... Read more

Book Description

Blue Crabs: Catch 'em, Cook 'em, Eat 'em is a practical, entertaining, well-illustrated guide to blue crabs and crabbing along the US East and Gulf Coasts. Provides guidance on catching, cooking, picking, and eating crabs. Healthy, lower-fat (but tasty) recipes are emphasized. Includes extensive information about Callinectes sapidus (the blue crab) as well. ... Read more

Book Description

Now available in paperback, the first comprehensive reference on Great White sharks separates fact from fiction and presents real evidence of the ecology and behavior of these remarkable animals. The volume begins with the evolution of the white shark and its relatives and continues with sections on its anatomy, behavior, ecology, distribution, population dynamics, and interactions with humans. Included in the volume are many illustrations, maps, diagrams, graphs and photos.

Key Features
* Covers all biological aspects of Great White sharks
* Includes contributions from an international team of leading authorities
* Heavily illustrated with maps, diagrams, graphs, and photos ... Read more

Reviews (3)

The most thorough book ever about Great Whites
It's absolutely great! You will learn everything about biology, behaviour and social interaction of the Great Whites. This is a MUST have!

shear brilliance
I think this book is great but a bit too expensive for my liking Danielle Mullins

Want to really know everything about the Great White?
In recent years, public opinion on the Great White Shark has turned away from the fierce bloodlust inspired by fiction and returned to the more civilized sense of awe and wonder at the amazing size and ferocity of these giant predators common to the days before Hollywood brought us 'Jaws' in its technicolor (mostly red) splendor. With specials common to PBS and the Discovery Channel, public awareness of the GW is higher now than ever before, making the shark more and more popular to study. The results of this scrutiny are brought to light in 'Great White Sharks : The Biology of Carcharodon carcharias', a collection of scientific papers edited by A. Peter Klimley and David G. Ainley. In this fascinating work, the picture of the GW as bloodthirsty killer is erased and replaced with the image of the predator's role as king of the sea. There are papers dedicated to nearly every scientific aspect of the animal from its ancestry to its behavior to its populations in oceans around the world. Nearly every serious question about the GW is explored, if not answered. The only thing that makes this book a little inaccessible is the fact that is geared for academic use and research. It is not a book written for the masses, such as Ellis and McCosker's 'The Great White Shark', another excellent book on the subject. But if it is depth you are looking for, Klimley and Ainley & Co. provide it. This book is not to missed by serious students of the GW. ... Read more

Book Description

All of us, at one time or another, find ourselves inexplicably drawn to the sea. For some, it's a place for reflection or romance. For others, it's the thrill of watching surf crash against a sandy white beach or studying the kaleidoscope of life among a tropical coral reef. This ability of the ocean to change our lives, to inspire us and to fascinate us is what led us to create Chicken Soup for the Ocean Lover's Soul, a collection of stories from around the world that celebrate the magic of our ocean planet.

The sea, from the beginning of time, has inspired great art and amazing stories. Our relationship with the ocean lies deep within our consciousness and, in fact, is in each of us. Chicken Soup for the Ocean Lover's Soul has captured some of these great stories to warm your heart and touch your soul. This book has amazing stories of swimming eye to eye with great whales, sharks and manatees, as well as legends of dolphins saving man.

So get ready to dive in with Jack, Mark and Wyland, the world's most acclaimed marine-life artist, as they guide you on a journey of discovery and stories that will lift your spirit and awaken your senses like the healing sea itself. At last, a Chicken Soup for the Soul book for ocean lovers like you!

Reviews (6)

Excellent!
This book is really excellent. I was in a diving trip in the islets of spratlys when i started reading this book. It really had my eyes fill with tears. The book not only did touch my heart but also my soul. Never did i regret buying this book!

The best book in the chicken soup series!!!
Wow! I received this book as a gift from a co-worker who knew I was a fan of the work of the artist Wyland. I had seen the Chicken Soup series for years, but found most of the stories to be a little too similar. This book was a VAST improvement and really deserves a look from anyone who thought the Chicken Soup series has burned itself out. I was particularly drawn to the story, "The Sea and the Wind that Blows," by E.B. White, the author of "Charlotte's Web." White, a long-time sailing aficionado, realizes for the first time that he is getting older and is becoming a risk to himself by sailing alone ... and must make a painful decision to give up his beloved pasttime. He ultimately decides that the point of life is to do what you love, and in so doing, decides to continue his sailing adventures, regardless of the consequences. It's a message for everyone who has ever considered giving up on something precious. The other stories are great too -- they come from around the entire world -- but are too numerous to explain in this review. This was simply a great gift that I will treasure as long as my paperback copy holds out.

soul finding
This is a warm and wonderful book filled with stories, poems and art that will fill your heart with gladness. I can relate to many of these stories as I am a diver and a snorkeler, but anyone with a love for the ocean or even just a love for nature and life will find this book a treasure. I am going to order 3 more copies to give to my daughters and a friend because I don't wish to part with my own copy.

A pleasant surprise
I'm not what you would call an "ocean lover" as the title of this book indicates, but my family and I used to visit the ocean on summer vacations in the gulf of Texas. I guess I had forgotten how wonderful those times were. But after reading Chicken Soup for the Ocean Lover's Soul, it was like being there again, building sandcastles on the beach with my father and brother, sharing my dreams for the future with my mother and contemplating the vast sea in front of us. There are some terrific stories here, including some by well-known authors, and the Wyland paintings are beautiful, but it's the stories by people like me, everyday people, with such touching memories of the sea that make this book a dear gift, indeed.

Great book...
Also check out Captain Jon Explores the Ocean (also available from Amazon as well), a great tribute to the sea for the young and the young at heart. ... Read more

Book Description

All papers were peer-reviewed. Sound in the ocean is as fundamental as light in theatmosphere. The high-frequency acoustic band has been little studied in the past; however, new applications such as mine hunting, marine mammal tracking, and communications (the undersea internet) have generated tremendous interest. These peer-reviewed proceedings include 8 invited papers by leading experts in particular areas and collectively survey all aspects of current research in high-frequency acoustics.