Amazon.com

In 1938, an alert young South African museum curator named Marjorie Courtenay-Latimer came upon a curious specimen in a fisherman's nets: a fish with "four limb-like fins and a strange little puppy dog tail," one that she thought resembled not a living being so much as a china ornament. When she could turn up no written descriptions of the find, she turned to other scientists for help, touching off a worldwide wave of interest in the creature that would come to be called the "coelacanth," long thought to be extinct, and now celebrated as one of the world's oldest species.

That interest took many forms, writes journalist Samantha Weinberg in her entertaining and instructive case study in scientific detective work. It spurred the development of new deep-sea craft to explore the farthest reaches of the ocean; it touched off more than one controversy over the coelacanth's lineage, and even over which nation claimed sovereignty over its oceanic haunts; and it launched or advanced the careers of dozens of researchers. The coelacanth continues to make news. In 1998, a young American scholar found a specimen in Indonesia, far from the western Indian Ocean waters where the coelacanth was thought to dwell. Although some scientists decried the discovery as a hoax at worst and an aberration at best, the find showed that the creature's range was widespread. It demonstrated, too, that international cooperation was necessary if the coelacanth were to be protected in the future, "continuing to exist," as Weinberg writes, "after this extraordinary duration of time." --Gregory McNamee ... Read more

Reviews (21)

It kind of makes you wonder.
I had read an account a few years back about the initial discovery of the coelacanth off the coast of South Africa and the tracking down of its habitat to the waters around Madagascar. It captured my imagination.

It was great to find out that the story didn't end with the Madagascar discovery. Upon reading this book, I was thrilled to hear about the confirmation of coelacanths living off Indonesia. The theory put forth in the book that there might be populations in the Philippines or even off the Atlantic coast of the United States stirs the imagination as well.

The book is very easy to get thru. It gives you just the right amount of scientific information and includes more human elements, namely the stories of the people involved in discovering, studying and protecting the coelacanth.

Something like this definitely makes you wonder. I mean, if a fish that was thought to be extinct for millions of years escaped detection by humanity till the beginning of the twentieth century, what else might still be out there?

A Fish Caught In Time
Samantha Weinberg has written a wonderful book outlining the history of the coelacanth. This "living fossil" fish, which predates the dinosaurs, was believed to have been extinct for millions of years until one was pulled from the sea in 1938. This incredible discovery has been referred to as the "number one zoological find of the twentieth century." The coelacanth, with it's primitive limbs, is a fascinating member of our evolutionary past. Much more than just a fish story, A FISH CAUGHT IN TIME tells an exciting tale of the many individuals involved in expanding our knowledge of the coelacanth--and hopefully preventing it's extinction as we enter the twenty-first century.

This is one of those special books that was hard to put down and ended far too soon!

A wonderful book
This is a wonderfully written book, which blends science with excellent character development and story telling. If you enjoy books that teach you about science, but read like a good novel, then this is a perfect book for you.

It is the story of a serendipitous discovery, and how the passion and perseverance of a few overcame politics, personal egos, and various challenges to preserve a fish. Weinberg wrote a wonderful book; I learned a great deal, and I cannot wait to read her next book.

Behold a Living Dinosaur!
Hairy Hominoids and Big Foot, Giant Fish and Loch Ness Monsters, Gigantic Birds and other strange creatures - Science Screams "Neigh!!, Evolution has made them extinct!" but this book is what proves science wrong. In fact Darwin once believed that in order for evolution to work these relics of the past should be with us today, but he never could prove it. Then in 1938, Marjorie Courtney-Latimer, a museum curator, discovered an odd looking fish on board a trawling boat in South Africa... a fish that was thought extinct for 400 MILLION YEARS!

Could it be that this Coelacanth was nothing more than an artefact of evolution fished up from the depths of some frozen suspended animation? When science searched for populations of this fish it suddenly appeared in the Comoros and then later on near Java. Not only had they found a living fossil but they had also found what could prove to be the missing link.

The Coelacanth, because of its structure is a very good candidate for a fish that could eventually walk on land. Its fins even look like legs. Not only was the Coelacanth a good candidate for reptiles and mammals but as the precursor to mankind and here man holds the Coelacanth in his arms!

The book however is not really about crytozoology. It is all about the Coelacanth, its discovery by Marjorie Courtney-Latimer in 1938, the science and pursuit of the fish that followed as Professor J.L.B Smith sought to find more specimens. The politics of international law and science trying to find and acquire the first live Coelacanth and the subsequent analysis of the Coelacanth underwater in late 20th century by new wave submersibles.

"A Fish Caught in Time" reads like a great adventure story and is a must for anybody looking for a very interesting topic with some red hot escapades to boot. The characters in the search span some 60 years and are all fully fleshed out. It is Coelacanths, Coelacanths and more Coelacanths along the way.

This is a mandatory read for anyone even remotely interested in evolution. It speaks volumes about what science has yet to learn and how many of its 20th century evolutionary claims are in fact clearly wrong and the real scientists are those who the extra mile in the face of blunt reason and logic.

A wonderful book! A wonderful, wonderful book!

Race for a Fish
In a South African town, Marjorie Courtenay-Latimer, a museum curator, finds a strange fish with unique fins. J.L.B Smith identifies the fish as a coelacanth, which originated from 400 million years ago and thought to become extinct with the dinosaurs. Samantha Weinberg describes how the 'scientific find of the century' triggered debates over evolution. The race for the ancient animal is portrayed with firsthand accounts and entrancing detail in A Fish Caught in Time.

After the scientific world reached word about the coelacanth, expeditions and searches were initiated in hopes of claiming it for themselves. Smith traces the origin to the Comoros Islands in the Indian Ocean, and generous awards were set up, alerting fishermen of the great creature. Despite a fight between France and South Africa, one and soon several more were discovered through techniques, some derived from a couple amazing inventions by Hans Fricke and others. However, the question of evolution remains: did the coelacanth evolve from the sea to be the first creature to walk on land?

The portrayal of many such questions leads the readers diving through the pages, informed of many new facts but through the element of a story. In fact, the reader can relate to the work as a thriller, pondering, 'what will happen next?' Weinberg clearly displays a love and fascination of the living fossil, using her talent as a British reporter who writes for American, African, and European periodicals and newspapers. From the eyes of renowned people involved with the search of the coelacanth, she shows the arduous process that goes along with a new scientific discovery'having to piece together the facts, finding the money for research funding, and convincing and competing against others. Marjorie Courtenay-Latimer states a problem dealing with the coelacanth, 'It really is a remarkable creature, and I hope that the new interest in it will prompt us to find a way to save it, once and for all.'

On the other hand, the book's chapters are somewhat disconnected from each other, making each seem like a separate narrative. The reader may find that the chapters are too long, the format of the book uncomfortable, and the illustrations do not effectively depict the points attempted to be conveyed.

However, the criticism is minor, and Weinberg does a great job informing the public of the search and discovery of the ancient fish. It is evident that she spent much time on the topic, not even being a scientist. Besides the information scattered across the story, the appendix at the end gives more background information of the coelacanth. In addition, the tale makes me wonder'if a 400 million year old fish had survived all this time, what else is hiding out there? ... Read more

Book Description

In 1968, nine sailors set off on the most daring race ever held: to single-handedly circumnavigate the globe nonstop. It was a feat that had never been accomplished and one that would forever change the face of sailing. Ten months later, only one of the nine men would cross the finish line and earn fame, wealth, and glory. For the others, the reward was madness, failure, and death.

In this extraordinary book, Peter Nichols chronicles a contest of the individual against the sea, waged at a time before cell phones, satellite dishes, and electronic positioning systems. A Voyage for Madmen is a tale of sailors driven by their own dreams and demons, of horrific storms in the Southern Ocean, and of those riveting moments when a split-second decision means the difference between life and death.

Reviews (22)

Nichols has done it again
I read Peter Nichols first book, "Sea Change" with complete facination. He is a great storyteller and a wise soul. He told that true story, of a rocky marriage, of life on a beloved boat and the ultimate demise of both, with grace and candor.

The new book, "Voyage for Madmen" is, again, a beautifully and honestly told true story. His knowledge of the sea and boats gives him the proper foundation to tell the harrowing tale of the Golden Globe race, but it's his ability to get inside the people involved that makes this a great read.

Nichols has done it again. Keep up the great work.

A non-sailor's view
One day I heard a couple of book reviewers on the radio rattle off a list of good books, and I jotted this title down. When I got the book, I was uncertain as to whether I would enjoy it. The only sailing I had ever done was out in SF Bay as a passenger whose assigned job was to stay out of the way.

But after reading the book, my view of sailing has changed. This book utterly grabbed me. I couldn't put it down and I relished every word.

While the book is a true story, it isn't just a documentary. It is full of stories and portraits of people who are more fantastic than fiction. I think that not knowing anything about the Golden Globe race kept me in greater suspense. This was a page-turner 'til the very end.

I applaud Peter Nichols and his writing style. I read Perfect Storm and found it sterile and unemotional. This book was just the opposite. It was invigorating, enriching and human.

Great writing . . . but the story isn't very compelling.
I hate to be a sour puss (in light of the glowing praises for this book), but I have to admit that this book really didn't do it for me. The writing is excellent . . . there's no doubt about that. However, the story wasn't very gripping or compelling. I just didn't feel the need to pick it up every time I saw it on the coffee table.

When I read the inside cover, I was left with the impression that all but one sailor survived. I thought this would be an entralling story about the peril of each lost sailor and the triump of the sole survivor. That's not the case. Only one *finished* . . . which is more then I can say about how I did with this book. I stopped reading it 2/3 of the way through. There aren't many books where I'll make a 2/3 investment in time only to skip the end.

There are plenty of other great sailing books about racing. "Close to the Wind" and "The Proving Grounds" were both excellent.

Kansan sails the seas
Excellent book, tho I quibble with cover blurb "Only one made it back," as it made me anticipate more deaths than occurred (is that morbid of me?). A true non-sailor, I found this story easy to follow and well-written, though a glossary of nautical terms and maybe a diagram of a sailboat with salient features labeled would have helped me understand it better. Even so, highly recommended!

Beyond The Ordinary
More than just a book, this is a chance to experience, to some degree, second hand, what the first single handed around-the-world sailors experienced. Peter Nichols writes brilliantly about a sailing race, one of the greatest ever really. I knew parts of the story, but this book puts it together and in prospective. Nichols is a gifted writer and is writing about something that he obviously feels passionate about, a perfect combination. There is a bio of each of the racers, good descriptions of the boats and notes from their logs. The story unfolds as the race progresses and has many shocking surprises in the end. Most importantly, you learn about the psychology and philosophy of the very different characters as they wrestle with the turbulent sea and the huge mental challenge they face. You don't have to be a sailor to understand or love this book. ... Read more

Book Description

With more than 750 illustrations, including 300 color photographs, this guide covers more than 1,000 species, such as shoreside plants, clams, shrimps, crabs, corals, seaweeds, sponges, and sea urchins, as well as all of the common seashore communities found from Cape Hatteras to the Gulf Coast, Florida, and the Caribbean. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Good
This book arrived in a timely manner and was in good condition.

Trying to Hard
Where Kaplan's "Coral Reefs" manages to take a difficult field guide topic and conquer it, "Southeastern and Caribbean Seashores" Takes an impossible task and muddles it. I don't know what the people at Peterson's Field Guides was thinking! The topic is far to broad to include in one book, and Kaplan seems to try and make it broader. He includes coral reefs and things distinctly NOT on the shore as well as including topics already in other field guides. I do NOT want to belittle Kaplan (whom I enjoy) or Peterson's (who I think makes the best mass consumption field guides available) but unless you really need it, I would stay away from this book. It does win points for it's illustrations and Kaplan's knowledge and writing style.

Don't Leave Home Without It!
I have taken Kaplan's field guide to seashores to Florida Keys, the Bahamas, the USVI, The BVI, Bonaire, Puerto Rico, Jamaica and Curacao, and have found the book to be indispensible. No matter which island, each seashore seemed familiar, and with a little judicious reading beforehand,I understood whatever natural phenomena I saw, from snorkelling in the shallows to walking the rocky shore to crawling around the red mangrove roots. I would no sooner leave this field guide home when I go to the Carribbean or Florida, than leave home my Michelin Guide to Europe when I go there. I recommend the Field Guide to Seashores to all nature lovers and snorkelers who want to make the best of their trip to the the Caribbean or Florida. ... Read more

Amazon.com

National parks, it has been said, are "the best idea America ever had." With the advent of national marine sanctuaries, the United States has taken this good idea underwater. Prominent marine biologist Sylvia Earle and underwater photographer Wolcott Henry take readers on a breathtaking grand tour of America's undersea parks in Wild Ocean. With big, gorgeous color photographs on nearly every page and enlightening text to enhance the reader's sense of each location, the book is a must-see for ocean enthusiasts. From the tropical splendor of coral reefs to the magnificence of northern rocky coasts, marine sanctuaries are national treasures, snatched from the jaws of pollution and development just in time to ensure that people will always have an opportunity to appreciate the ocean's beauty. Earle and Wolcott take you under the waves with whales, sea turtles, sharks, and other marine creatures to show how worthy these fragile environments are of protection and even expansion. The political message here is clear: these places are worth the taxpayers' money--see for yourself. Wild Ocean is an impassioned plea for preservation of America's seas. --Therese Littleton ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Beautifully illustrated - superb into to marine parks
THE definitive introduction to America's 'Parks Under the Sea'.

Beautifully illustrated with photographs from a virtual who's who of underwater/nature photography -- Wolcott Henry, David Doubilet, Frans Lanting, Gary Ellis, Stephen Frink, Norbert Wu ...

From the slow-moving Manatee in the caribbean waters off Florida to playful sea lions in the Channel Islands off the California coast, this book takes you on a whirlwind journey through what may be America's last and greatest wild places. Sylvia Earle's unique perspective as America's foremost underwater explorer makes her the ideal tour guide for this sweeping journey.

There's something here for everyone -- armchair travelers, experienced divers, nature lovers, adventurous spirits. The one book you really ought to own if you have an interest in exploring the vast wealth and staggering diversity of our national underwater heritage. More mysterious, more alluring, even more diverse than our National Park System, the National Marine Sanctuary System is the adventureland of tomorrow.

I thoroughly enjoyed every page and often find myself reaching to the bookshelf to "go back" to places that one day I hope I'll have a chance to visit. This book gets my highest recommendation. ... Read more

Book Description

Respiration represents the major area of ignorance in our understanding of the global carbon cycle. In spite of its obvious ecological and biogeochemical importance, most oceanographic and limnological textbooks invariably deal with respiration only superficially and as an extension of production and other processes. The objective of this book is to fill this gap and to provide the first comprehensive review of respiration in the major aquatic systems of the biosphere. The introductory chapters review the general importance of respiration in aquatic systems, and deal with respiration within four key biological components of aquatic systems: bacteria, algae, heterotrophic protists, and zooplankton. The aim of this first part is to provide the backbone for the analysis and interpretation of ecosystem-level respiration in a variety of aquatic environments. The central chapters of the book review respiration in major aquatic ecosystems including freshwater wetlands, lakes and rivers, estuaries, coastal and open ocean and pelagic ecosystems. For each major ecosystem, the corresponding chapter provides a synthesis of methods used to assess respiration, outlines the existing information and data on respiration, discusses its regulation and link to biotic and abiotic factors, and finally provides regional and global estimates of the magnitude of respiration. The final chapter provides a general synthesis of the information and data provided in the different sections, and further attempts to place aquatic respiration within the context of the global carbon budget. ... Read more

Book Description

This book examines the application of fish community characteristics to evaluate the sustainability and biological integrity of freshwaters. Topics include perspectives on use of fish communities as environmental indicators in program development, collaboration, and partnership forming; influence of specific taxa on assessment of the IBI; regional applications for areas where the IBI had not previously been developed; and specific applications of the IBI developed for coldwater streams, inland lakes, Great Lakes, reservoirs, and tailwaters. ... Read more

Book Description

One of the world's leading underwater archeologists recounts experiences from his 24 years as founder and head of the elite, award-winning Submerged Cultural Resources Unit (SCRU) team of the U.S. National Park Service-adventure writing at its best. In Submerged, Lenihan (the co-author with Gene Hackman of the novel Wake of the Perdido Star) takes the reader on a kaleidoscope of underwater experiences-to ancient ruins covered by reservoirs in the desert southwest, to the lower rings of hell to retrieve the bodies of drowned divers, to gripping accounts of personal survival in underwater caves, ships, and submerged buildings. Among the astonishing, often harrowing assignments he recalls:• The Isle Royale shipwrecks: Surveying ten large ships sunk from the mid-19th to mid-20th centuries in the middle of the frigid and deep Lake Superior.• The USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor: Executing the largest mapping project ever conducted underwater, and his personal impressions as, the leader of the first expedition to explore and video the entire ship in 1983.• Investigating the hull of the HL Hunley, the first submarine in history to sink an enemy ship, in Charleston Harbor during the Civil War.• Resurveying of the ships sunk by atomic bombs at Bikini Atoll, including the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga/I> and Japanese battleship Nagato.

This fascinating book, written with a mixture of wonder, intensity, pathos, and humor, is not only a unique adventure book, but a work that records, in one volume for the first time, the historic and social significance of the underwater research programs conducted by this remarkable unit of the US National Park Service. Maps, 20 color photographs, index. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Takes You Places You'll Probably Never Go Underwater
An engaging, articulate,and suspenseful writer, Dan Lenihan shows the often daring and dangerous side of being an underwater park ranger. Not dry in the least, Submerged took me to eerie and beautiful underwater places I'd never have the courage to go myself but find fascinating. Often self-deprecating but never the egotist, Lenihan brought me into his inner circle to share the experience and the history of each place in wonderful detail. While they clearly had a lot of fun, Dan and his fellow rangers should be taken as seriously as the archaelogists on land uncovering Egyptian tombs or finding dinosaur bones. While many of the sites he discusses in Submerged are off limits to the public, Dan also wrote a handy Fodors book called "Underwater Wonders of the National Parks" which is a diving and snorkeling guide to areas open to the public. I'll be recommending Submerged to my diving and non-diving friends.

submerged, enlightening information, remarkable stories
Although I know little of underwater archeaology, I have done my share of contract land archeaology and am an avid sport diver. Mr. Lenihan gives bonechilling acounts of diving situations involving caves, polluted waters and other truly extreme variables. I have been a scuba diver here in San Diego for over thirty years and I have come with time to admit my limits. This man, wether crazy or not, has defied most the limits I am aware of, but you can't say he was clueless, he's still here to write this book. Being quite involved in the diving community for some time and also associated with some west coast based archaeologist, I have heard nothing but high regards for this mans reliability and profesionalism as an archaeologist.
I have read some of the reviews by other so called sport divers who are down on Mr. Lenihan. I am angered by their comments and dissappointed by their ethics treating ships. Essentially, they are treasure hunters and thier ethics are, "the gold I find while destroying sites for other divers is mine!" I fully admit that they know more about ship wreck diving than myself although I doubt Mr. Lenihan is in jeopardy of being overwhelmed by their "unselfish principles" or vast historical knowledge of the sites they desecrate. From the very positive articles I have read in such magazines as "Skindiver" or "Sportdiver" magazine, I am more willing to take them seriously. But thats just me. For anyone interested at all in the ethics of preservation or the insanity of adventure, wether you agree or not, this book will probably fullfill alot of those curiosities.

It's my new bible
I loved this book so much! I was truly saddened when i reached the end. Mr Lenihan obviously loves his job and brings these stories to life with vivid storytelling. I'm never letting this book leave my possesion.

Submerged: Adventures of America's Most Elite
Submerged: Adventures of America's Most Elite Underwater Archeology Team written by Daniel Lenihan has action-adventure throughout, underwater exploration with intrigue and full of information about early diving and salvage.

What I found interesting is that the author takes the reader in with easy going folksy prose and narrative. Which is easy to read with historical facts put in the text that blends the historical and technical details, thus giving the reder a good informative read.

An engaging adventure told of shipwrecks in U.S. parks and territorial waters gripping the reader, with well-constructed ending, preserving these sites important to our American heritage. These are truly professionals that tackle astonishing often harrowing assingments including the surveying the Isle Royale, shipwrecks in Lake Superior, exploring ther U.S.S. Arisona in Pearl Harbor, and Investigating the HL Hunley the first submarine in history to sink an enemy ship in Charleston Harbor during the Civil War.

All in all, this is a book of underwater adventures told with a flair that will keep you interested till the ending.

Historical Diving
I realy enjoyed Submerged. I found my self not being able to put the book down. Lenihan explains the importance of saving our submereged historical artifacts as well as those of other nations. I am a History Major as well as a Diver. This book has both of the two worlds. I would recomend this book to anyone interested in diving or history. ... Read more

Book Description

North America's freshwater habitats and the extraordinary biodiversity they contain are facing unprecedented threats from a range of sources, including flow alteration, habitat fragmentation, introduced species, and overall land use changes. With nearly every freshwater system suffering from some degree of degradation and conservation resources limited, there is an urgent and practical need to set priorities.

As an initial step in identifying those areas where protective and restorative measures should be implemented first, World Wildlife Fund-US assembled a team of leading scientists to conduct a conservation assessment of freshwater ecoregions. Freshwater Ecoregions of North America presents that assessment and outlines measures that must be taken to conserve, and in many cases restore, native biodiversity. The book:

• identifies freshwater ecoregions that support globally outstanding biological diversity
• assesses the types and immediacy of threats to North American ecoregions
• identifies gaps in information that hamper an accurate evaluation of biodiversity
• provides a broad-scale framework for conservation activities

In addition, it offers appendixes that provide detailed descriptions of methodologies, raw scores and statistical analysis of results, and an integrated biological distinctiveness and conservation status index. Also included are 21 full-color maps.

Freshwater Ecoregions of North America is an authoritative reference on a subject of vital importance, and will be an essential tool for scientists, conservation professionals, students, and anyone interested in the conservation of North America's freshwater systems. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Green Lantern...
In the sphere of the social sciences, a long standing bias has existed against the so-called "natural sciences:" the lack of rhetorical power, and more simply, of terminological variability, has turned away sociologists, anthropologists, and historians from the literature of natural science. This bias is evident, but at base, irrational, at least by the uniform standards for scholarship that transcends disciplines. After all, the sociologist cannot simply write-off the work of the economist, just because of language.

This important work, although highly priced, must be read by social scientists as well as by natural scientists. Editor Robin Abell, with her talented staff at WWF-USA, have put together an inherently readable account of what "ecoregions" are threatened, while enumerating the attributes and possible threats to these areas. A reader, like myself, who knows little about such things , is sure to find themself surprisingly drawn to what otherwise seem like trivialities. For example, the consistent format of the volume, from section to section, provides the reader with a template, or general design, by which whole areas of geography can be understood.

And this understanding goes past the parochial association of one region with the "political unit" it is found in.

The title of this mini-review was not only meant to be teasing: it is my hope that more writers and editors adopt the style that Abell et al. have established. Perhaps then important subjects like this can climb closer to the center of the public conscience.

Insightful New Approach
The first approach anywhere that looks not only at scale of biodiversity loss and priorities for conservation for our often over-looked freshwater resources. This book is essential for anyone who truly cares about North America's diverse natural habitats.

The maps in the book are wonderful. They effectively convey areas which are spectacular and also the areas that are most threatened. ... Read more

Book Description

Combining the best in underwater photography with brilliant illustrations and the most complete and informative text, this incomparable book presents a fresh guide to the world of shells.

Shells are one of the most familiar and fascinating creations of nature. Valued for their beauty since prehistoric times, they may be seen on Greek and Roman vases, Renaissance paintings, African ornaments, and modern jewelry. Mollusks, the animals without backbones that produce shells, are so widespread that, second to insects, they are the most numerous creatures on earth.

In this comprehensive, visually exciting book, the enlightening text is wonderfully illustrated with underwater images and full-color diagrams that explore the intricate construction of shells. In a special guide, 400 different specimens from around the world are described, ranging from the most numerous to the rarest and from the most gorgeous to the most exotic. Many are depicted underwater as a diver would see them living in their natural habitat. Finally, there is practical advice on how to build an outstanding shell collection that is beautiful to look at, helpful in understanding various marine environments, and respectful of nature. Unique in its coverage, this book will be invaluable to naturalists, divers, and shell collectors.

201 full-color illustrations ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Lovely photos, fair figures, lacking on text
This is an excellent book. I was impressed by the photos of different marine mollusks in their native habitats, often engaged in complex feeding activities (especially note Colubraria feeding on a parrot fish through it's mucus bubble). It's very nice to see, for a change, a book dedicated to the living organisms that we as Conchologists often tend to forget when engaging in this hobby. I have an extensive collection of shell books and would say to the best of my knowledge this book simply has some of the finest mollusk habitat photography of any book I've seen. I wish they included a bit more text; I felt that a little more info with those excellent photos this would have made this a classic text. Instead it is a excellent book for the amature collector looking for more than the typical identification of shells book. That maybe a mis-characterization as there was information in the text that was new to me (and I have been in this hobby for 30 years), but a lot of the text seemed 'wanting'. Well worth a look see. ... Read more

Book Description

An award-winning photographer and his breathtaking pictures provide beautiful inspiration for anyone longing to dive into the deep blue sea and record the wonders of marine life. Everything is broken down into manageable, thematic sections, which cover the photographic basics before progressing to more advanced procedures. Capture the ocean’s infinite splendor with an array of underwater shooting techniques, advice on choosing a camera, suggestions for maintaining the equipment, and instructions for lighting in this watery world. You’ll find out how to deal with low visibility, learn essential photographic equations for calculating shutter speeds and exposures; understand the differences between various film stocks and what digital can do; and see how to use the flash effectively. So take the plunge—the results will be fabulous.
... Read more

Book Description

Each of the 690 identification pictures is a full-color photograph of a seashore creature. Arrangement by shape and by color makes identification quick and easy. 666 species are covered in full detail. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

If Frosted Flakes are grrrrrreat, this is so much better
I live in North Carolina and catch and keep a lot of Invertebrates we we go to the beach. So far, every Invert that we've caught has been in this book, easy to find and we found out alot about it by reading. Anyone who sees something cool at the beach often should get this book. In fact, it's a Must-Have.
Shredda Out

OK for the Basics
I think that all of North Americas sea shore critters can not be described in a single book. Certainly not in a book of this size. The publishers where quite bold in the scope and as such much information has been left out. That said let me tell you what is good about this book. The pictures are GREAT! Much better than looking at technical drawings. However, they are not better for identification. The descriptions of animal groups are excellent. For the person with little biological background this will go a good way toward explaining the complexities of ocean life. The method of identification, sorting by superficial appearance is handy, again for the inexperienced. To sum it up, if you want one book to carry during your first summer of beach combing get this one. If you need a companion for a marine zoology class stay away, unless you already have everything else.

Excellent
Anyone who has used the National Audubon's Field Guides knows just how great they are. This one is no exception. Great picture plates and acccurate descriptions of organisms. For the biologist to the beach hopper, this book is easy to use and very informative.

Great for Nature Watchers
I found out about Marine creatures in my Marine Bio. class, and I loved them, so I got this book to further my looking into their world, and it's great. A must have for any person interested in going to the seashore, and just watching what runs around in those tidepools and on the beach. ... Read more

Book Description

"The Cichlid Fishes is a marvelous narrative about an extraordinary family of creatures. Barlow's fertile synthesis belongs in the pantheon of natural-history classics."- Natural History.

Cichlid fishes are amazing creatures. In terms of sheer number of species, they are the most successful of all families of vertebrate animals, and the extent and speed with which they have evolved in some African lakes has made them the darlings of evolutionary biologists. With warmth and wit, Barlow describes the remarkably high intelligence of these fishes, their complex mating and parenting rituals, their bizarre feeding and fighting habits, and their highly unusual adaptations. A celebration of their diversity, The Cichlid Fishes is also a marvelous exploration of how these animals might help resolve the age-old puzzle of how species arise and evolve. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Cichlids and Natural Selection
This book is an excellent resource for anyone interested in cichlids, in animal behavior, or in natural selection. There is enough variety in the book to satisfy cichlid hobbyists. This is not a fish identification book, nor is it a manual for keeping cichlids in the aquarium. However, much useful information for keeping cichlids can be gleaned from this book. Dr. Barlow's presentation of reproductive isolation and his descriptions of various behaviors are enough to make this book worth reading. The writing is clear, but not oversimplified. If you like cichlids, get this book.

excellent treatment of cichlid behavior
The Cichlid fishes are one of the most diverse groups of animals in the world, this is partially an artifact of their distribution in rift lakes. This isolation in a diverse environment has led them to evolve to fill a myriad of ecological niches. They are also one of the most popular groups of aquarium fishes and their behavior and diversity is of interest to a large number of people. That is why this book, a scientific treatment of their behavior can be produced for a larger audience. As such this is perhaps the best book, available to the lay reader, on fish behavior.

George Barlow is (was) a fish behaviorist at UC Berkeley. In this volume he explains the complex behaviors of mate selection, territoriality, feeding, and the rearing of offspring in this well studied group. He also discusses their diversity and, sadly, has to address their conservation (as the their home is being lost to several environmental factors). This book is interesting and well written. However, it is probably only of interest to the most serious cichlid hobbyist, or persons with a special interest in fish behavior in general.

Too Complicated
I have been in this hobby for about 6 years and I still have not found this book helpful for any of my needs. It is too much complicated and not helpful for an aquaristic interest.Especially If you are a beginner, you will not find it helpful. The book is especially written for people who has scientific interest on Cichlid fishes; in detail with very few pictures.

A Grand Narrative
The aquarium lights go out at a certain time every evening, and what's a fishkeeper to do but... read about fish?

Cichlidophiles can find many books on their favorite subject. These works, however, seem to go directly from beginner guides to dry, semi-scientific texts, perhaps poorly translated into English, with nothing in between. But publishing, like nature, abhors a vacuum.

Dr. George W. Barlow has woven together his own research with that of other scientists into a rich narrative of cichlid family history to fill this void. The Cichlid Fishes does read like a family history-flashy cousins, famous uncles, strange ancestors and the like-and science is their family diary.

No mistake, this is a serious exploration of Cichlidian evolutionary success. The important research Barlow and his peers have performed over the decades has answered many questions. Experiments and observation have shown that the Cichlids' spectacular rate of speciation arises from the physical characteristics of their jaws, thus increasing dietary options.

The strength of the research also lies in how many more questions it has raised. For example, the subject of parental care is understandably a dominant theme. The way the Discus feeds its young from secretions in its skin is documented, and the follow on question is, how did mammalian milk production evolve? The body of Cichlid data is a springboard for evolutionary studies everywhere.

Throughout this "serious" work, the reader finds that he or she is studying complex scientific theory painlessly. Barlow writes about his favorite subject with affection and humor, in a way that the hobbyist can enjoy as well as those who make a living in the field of biology. Definitions of scientific terms are seamlessly incorporated into the Cichlid story. After reading this book, you may find yourself spouting off words like "polygynandry" and "trophic" at your next hobbyist club meeting as if you were discussing the weather.

As in any family history, the story includes speculation on the future. What will happen to the fishes in this unsure world? Barlow gives statistics on the state of the Earth's waters and our affect on them, and presents his own opinions on their significance, based on the biology of Cichlids. Will Cichlids have a chance to continue evolving?

You, dear reader, are invited to explore Cichlid Fishes for yourself, in order to form your own opinion.

Surfing the web is something else you can do when the tank lights go out. For more information about The Cichlid Fishes, Dr. Barlow and his work, see his web page.

Excellent addition the natural history collection!
The first thing that needs to be said about this book is that it is NOT a book about keeping cichlids in aquariums. I think that is a misconception some people may get since cichlids are such popular aquarium subjects. If you're looking for information on cichlids in the aquarium, you need to hunt down books by Paul Loiselle or Ad Konings. This is a book about evolutionary science.

The cichlids are really the animal darlings of the evolution field in the same sense that the Galapagos Islands are the geographical Mecca. This book focuses on cichlids from the African Great Lakes: Malawi., Victoria, and Tanganyika. The populations in these lakes have been isolated and thus present a wonderful living experiment in evolution and speciation. The New World members of Cichlidae aren't forgotten - there's plenty of examples from them too.

The text doesn't delve too deeply into scientific theory. It's still a relatively easy read for the layperson. Its aim is to explain why the cichlids fascinate biologists and evolutionists - without getting overly technical. It achieves that goal admirably.

The bibliography is worth the cover price. There are 23 pages of small-print references and a numerical guide to citations by chapter.

If you're an aquarist with an interest in the science behind the fish, a scientist with little experience with fish or evolution, or a "normal" person wondering what all the fuss is about, this is a good choice. ... Read more

Book Description

As a practicing professional in the field of marine science you need easily accessible, accurate and up-to-date information at your fingertips. Practical Handbook of Marine Science, Third Edition provides a comprehensive reference containing the critical information necessary to meet the multidisciplinary research needs of all marine scientists, researchers, and anyone involved in managing marine resources. Consisting of a user-friendly multi-sectional format, this single volume databook offers extensive, illustrative, and tabular reference material covering all the major disciplines related to the sea. What's new in the New EditionPresented in an easy-to-use, logically arranged format Practical Handbook of Marine Science, Third Edition serves as a quick reference to all disciplines of marine science. While building on the strong base provided by the previous editions, this is a completely updated version that includes: oCompletely revised text to reflect the latest knowledge in marine scienceoExtensive references from recent sources (1995-2000)oCurrent tablesoA wealth of new illustrations and tablesHighlighting the interdisciplinary nature of marine science, this handbook covers a wide range of topics and is a quick and easy reference to a multitude of marine science subjects. Although this state-of-the art reference has been designed for marine scientists; administrators and other professionals who deal with the management of marine resources - and the investigation of anthropogenic impacts on marine systems - will find the information accessible and useful. The Practical Handbook of Marine Science, Third Edition is your first resource when you need current, concise, and detailed data. ... Read more

Amazon.com

In October 1998, a wayward tropical storm blossomed into one of the most powerful hurricanes in modern history. When it finished its devastating course throughout the Caribbean, Hurricane Mitch had killed thousands of people, left hundreds of thousands more homeless, and destroyed whole towns. Journalist Jim Carrier turns up a small but telling incident: the disappearance of a 282-foot schooner called the Fantome. Guided by a young but accomplished English captain and manned by seasoned West Indian sailors, the cruise ship put into port in Belize to discharge its passengers, then set out to sea in an attempt to outrace a storm that, defying expectation, changed its course and in the end sent the Fantome and its crew beneath the waves. All that was terrible enough; added to it was the legal battle that awaited the crew's survivors, one that hung over the disaster "like a poisonous cloud." Following the Fantome's course hour by hour, Carrier covers all aspects of the incident thoroughly and sympathetically. His book makes a compelling companion to Sebastian Junger's The Perfect Storm as a fine reconstruction of a maritime tragedy, one that does honor to the unfortunate dead. --Gregory McNamee ... Read more

Reviews (24)

The Ship and the Storm
Jim Carrier's detailed description of the events leading to the tragic sinking of the Fantome and his insight into the lives of her crew, make this book a memorial to those sailors that were lost at sea when the Fantome disappeared during the 1998 hurricane named Mitch. This interesting and fact based account is a must for those that sailed on the Fantome for the pleasure of the sea and island adventures, and to all those interested in weather and it's effect on our lives.

The Imperfect Storm
A journalistic look at a cruise shipwreck caused by Hurricane Mitch, Carrier's book delves into the history of the Fantome, an old tall ship that sank with 30 men aboard due to bad luck and, in hindsight, a misplaced desire to save property at the expense of human life. Larded with too much inane chatter saved off the Internet while the drama played out, the book is further flawed by excess padding about the storm's aftermath on the obscure western Caribbean islands where the Fantome sailed. Too long by a third, the tale needed a sharper editor. Still, what Carrier conveys about the ship and its Miami-based company is compelling enough to make up for his reporter's tendancy to include too much unnecessary flotsam about what survivors dreamed as their loved ones died, what the dead men left as their last requests, and what the howling storm sounded like to the many British and American expats who dug holes in the ground to wait out Mitch on islands devastated by the Category 5 storm. What the book makes clear is how stupid the management of Windjammer Cruises was for not canceling the boat's final cruise before the storm got out of control. Evidently, there were many opportunities for the crew to anchor and let the storm possibly damage the ornate boat, but at least their lives would have been saved. Comparisons with "The Perfect Storm" are silly. Both books are interesting reads. So what if this one followed the bigger bestseller? It is overlooked, but should not be.

Good meteorological detail
This book was unique in that in went into detail on what went on in the minds and decisions of forecasters at the National Hurricane Center, as well as specific details on the meteorological events of Hurricane Mitch. I enjoyed the book's arrangement of detailed events aboard Fantome, with an intermittent change to events with Mitch, and events at the NHC and Windjammer management. Very suspenseful and detailed. Good sea adventure.

Amazing Grace
This book captured my attention and my heart for almost 6 hours last night- I could not put it down until 4am when I had finished. I had heard only in passing the name of the boat, but the author did such a good job illustrating the cruise and the crew that I felt like I had been onboard. Even if you aren't a sailor or a weather buff, read this book for the beautifully told personal insight into a tragedy that we all can learn from.

Good Balanced Account
Within the sail training (or "Tall Ship") community the loss of the FANTOME was a mixture of "there but for the grace of God go I" and "Windjammer Barefoot Cruises were always a bit seat of the pants". As stated in the book - The American Sail Training Association annual conference heard papers regarding hurricane prediction and the margins for error soon after the loss and there was much discussion.

For those in the "Tall Ship" industry, as opposed to the Cruise Industry, this book appears to lay to rest some myths and contains much in the way of new information. Jim Carrier has not written a scientific paper - his book would not have much appeal if he had, but at the outset he states his "standard" of evidence and then attempts to lay out as objectively as possible what he has learned. Conclusions are left entirely to the reader. His switching between the various authorities, locales, offices and the ship is skilfully done and keeps one aware of the background against which each group of people were working as hurricane Mitch developed.

It is a little unfair to say that Carrier doesn't do justice to the ruining of the Honduras economy. Against the story - which is really about the ship - he gives the shore side plenty of coverage.

The story is of high interest to a whole different audience than the "Perfect Storm" readers - though I am sure they will learn too.

Within the industry there was much debate about Windjammer Barefoot Cruises and their operational methods. Carrier does not get drawn in, he notes the distancing by other operators, presents the facts as he has been able to determine them and leaves the readers to draw their own conclusions.

As the Fantome's flag state did not carry out an inquiry this is probably as good an accident report as will ever be generated and from which you can draw your own lessons. If you are a casual reader with an interest - it is a skillfully told account of what happens when nature lets rip and is stronger than anything we can construct to resist it. ... Read more

Book Description

More than 600 species are described in detail, with more than 525 illustrations. This is the guide for quick, reliable identification of fishes that you'll encounter while fishing, snorkeling, diving, or even strolling along a Pacific Coast beach. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Peterson solid installment.
This Peterson's Guide to Pacific Coast Fishes is extremely concise and contains countless family, genus, and species entries. Also, this is one of the very few field guides that adds deepsea and pelagic fishes to their list. This section is enough for the price right there! The deep ocean fishes illustrated are stunning, and inspire the reader to explore the deep domain sometime in the future. An example of a deep sea fish is the Daggertooth: a bizarre, 20 inch rodlike fish with a mouth full of razor sharp, daggerlike teeth. This is only a single of the many deep sea families listed.
Another completely amazing but unknown fish family listed are the Poachers. These fish are difficult to describe, but have a few traits of an alligator, to put it simply.
There are dozens more stunning species to be found here, but you will have to read it to find the most mysterious and exhilarating ones. Also, this ocean field guide uses the best identification tool, drawings. Whether for the interested fish worshipper, or the expert marine biologist, this book will please all fascinated by the ocean.

Another great guide from Peterson
I bought this book in anticipation of a SCUBA trip down the west coast next year. Why? Because I have good luck with Peterson guides and know that they are concise, well written and all inclusive. So far, as I try to gain some familiarity with the fishes of the west coast before I go I have not been disappointed. I'm sure that this book is to the west coast what the Atlantic guide is to the east and gulf coast. I'll write another review after I finish my trip.

Peterson Field Guides Pacific Coast Fishes
This is a well-written, well-organized field guide, like all other Peterson Field Guides. The book is divided into five parts: 1. About This Book, a very brief introduction of the book; 2. Collectin and Observing Fishes, again, a brief chapter, but very useful. The next three chapters are divided into: 3. Jawless Fishes; 4. Sharks, Rays and Chimaeras and 5. Bony fishes, which is where the bulk of the book is about. The book also contained an excellent glossary, and a limited number of references. Particularly useful are the detailed habitat information of each fish described, ways to identify them, and of course, the 48 pages of color and black and white drawings of the fishes. The book is an invaluable sources of information not only to ichthyologist, naturalist, but also to the comercial fisherman, professional anglers and recreational angler. The only complaint I had is that this field guide uses artists' drawing for the fishes instead of the actual picture of the fish. With the actual picture of the fish, it will make the identification of an unknown fishe much easier for the amateurs and weekend angler. Overall, an excellent book. ... Read more

Book Description

Until we have a firmer idea of the diversity of a wide range of marine habitats and what controls it, we have little hope of conserving biodiversity, or determining the impact of human activities such as mariculture, fishing, dumping of waste and pollution. This book brings together key studies from the deep sea and open ocean, to tropical shores and polar regions, to consider how comparable the patterns and processes underlying diversity are in these different ecosystems. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

I may have contributed but...
Even though I co-authored one of the papers in this book. I can recommend it to anyone who has an interest in Marine Biology or Biodiversity. The papers cover quite a wide range of biodiversity topics and takeperspectives from genetic species analysis through to morphologicaldifference. A good and informative book that will give readers an insightinto the science of biodiversity. ... Read more

Book Description

Bound for Blue Water is written and complied by J Russell Jinishian, an internationally recognized authority on contemporary marine art.Informative essays on fishing , commerce, yachting, military, and coastal marine art are written for the beginning enthusiast and the experienced collectoralike. Leading artists bring to life a picture of maritime America from the ports of New York and New England, to Miami, New Orleans, San Francisco and the Northwest. Portrayed here is every waterborne vessel from clipper ships and classic sailing yachts to early-twentieth-century seiners of Gloucester Harbor : from Hudson Bay and NewEngland whaling ships to tugs and ocean liners of the twentieth century; from Boston?s bustling T-Warf , to brigantines in the U.S> Exploring Expedition.Highlighting key movements and artists, this is the book that collectors and enthusiasts have been waiting for. ... Read more