Wildlife: aquatic creatures: general interest Books

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Book SynopsisA tale of obsession and very big fish from Jeremy Wade, the presenter of ITV''s RIVER MONSTERS.Over ten feet long, it weighs in at nearly a quarter of a ton. Covering its back are armoured plates made of bone. Five hundred stiletto-sharp teeth line its long crocodilian jaws. It''s a prehistoric beast of staggering proportions; a fearsome creature from the time of the dinosaurs.But the Alligator Gar, an air-breathing survivor from the Cretaceous period is still with us today, patrolling inland rivers, hunting in murky waters shared by human communities.And for Jeremy Wade, described as the ''greatest angling explorer of his generation'', the Gar and other outlandish freshwater predators have been an obsession for all his adult life. With names like Arapaima, Snakehead, Goonch, Goliath Tigerfish and Electric Eel, many of them have acquired an almost mythical status.In a quest that has taken him from the Amazon to the Congo, and from North AmericaTrade ReviewThe fishing fanatic's Downton Abbey... a terrific book * THE LADY *A serious angler with a genuinely pioneering streak, his written accompaniment to the series, now in paperback, is well crafted and, although the species are exotic, the tales of chasing elusive specimins will resonate with all anglers. * ANGLING TIMES *A reflective character with a hint of angst about him, he has a travel writer's eye and a philosopher's mind to go with his scientific background. * TROUT FISHERMAN *

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Book SynopsisA biological and cultural biography of the ubiquitous yet mystical seashell.Seashells, stretching from the deep past into the present day, are touchstones leading into fascinating realms of the natural world and cutting-edge science. In Spirals in Time: The Secret Life and Curious Afterlife of Seashells, marine biologist Helen Scales shows how seashells have been sculpted by the fundamental rules of mathematics and evolution; how they gave us color, gems, food, and new medicines. The science and natural history of shells are woven into a compelling narrative, revealing their cultural importance and the ways they have been used by humans over the millennia, even as a source of mind-bending drugs. After surviving multiple mass extinctions millions of years ago, mollusks and their shells still face an onslaught of anthropocentric challenges, including climate change and corrosive oceans. But rather than dwelling on all that is lost, Scales emphasizes that Trade ReviewA rewarding glimpse of another world, filled with strange and reclusive creatures ... There is rich detail in all directions. One does not know what will come next. Often the descriptions made me see shafts of sunlight underwater, irradiating extraordinary places and creatures. That is just what the book does itself. * The Guardian *... punctures assumptions with the power of a cone snail dart. * The Spectator *Splendid ... Scales clearly loves snails - she has done an elegant, excellent job of explaining her passion ... she is a most able modern champion of molluscs. * New Scientist *Scales is a charming raconteur with boundless enthusiasm and an eye for detail that make her subject glow with life. Combining biology, history and ecology, this is nature writing at its most engaging. * Sunday Express *The stories in Spirals in Time – which range from slaves being bought for bags of shells in west Africa in the 1770s to ground-breaking medical uses of cone-snail venom – are gripping and unimaginable. * The Telegraph *Helen Scales ... takes us on a fascinating journey into the strange and captivating world of mollusks. Carefully researched and entertaining throughout ... Scales's book is relentlessly interesting. * Science *...an informed introduction to this fascinating group. The author's enthusiasm shines through the prose...This is an ideal book for a summer holiday, and beach finds will take on a new dimension because of it. * Times Literary Supplement *With the soul of a poet and a talent for finding the most intriguing trivia about familiar seaside sights, marine biologist Scales turns the mundane into the magical. * Discover *Table of Contents1. Meet the shell-makers 2. How to build a shell 3. Sex, death and gems 4. Shell food 5. A mollusc called home 6. Spinning shell stories 7. Flight of the argonauts 8. Treasure hunting 9. Bright ideas 10. The sea butterfly effect

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Book SynopsisPiece together this 70-piece, whale-shaped puzzle to discover all your favourite ocean creatures beautifully illustrated by Yuval Zommer. Have you ever wondered what might be inside a whale's belly? Piece together this whale-shaped puzzle before peeking into its belly to spot plankton, fish, squid, octopus, and whatever else this whale had for lunch! The Big Belly of the Whale is an opportunity for children to explore the ocean and one of its most magical inhabitants the whale. Did you know that a sperm whale can hold its breath for over two hours? Or that a blue whale is bigger than the biggest dinosaur? Find all these facts and more in the poster that is included with the puzzle.

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Book SynopsisSharks embark on extraordinary journeys. Some travel thousands of miles and take weeks or even months to reach their destinations, while others rise up from the depths, undertaking a vertical migration of a mile or more in a single day. Why, though, do they travel such distances and how do they find their way? Sharks explores the latest research and explains some of the many mysteries of shark migration. Michael Bright reveals the adaptations that allow sharks to perform feats of extreme navigation, such as their astonishing electromagnetic 6th sense' that not only catches the electrical activity in the muscles of their prey, but can also detect the Earth's geomagnetic field. He also addresses the danger inherent in shark migrations, including shark attacks on humans, but more commonly for the sharks themselves, who are hunted for their fins and increasingly threatened by the fishing industry.

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Book SynopsisWith 58 striking midnight black pages of detailed deep-sea designs, Midnight Colouring: Underwater Worlds will appeal to those searching for an alternative way to colour and lovers of the natural world

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Book SynopsisThe hare permeates our consciousness like no other creature. Despite facing ever increasing environmental pressures, the hare still retains its ability to both delight and confound in equal measure. Produced in conjunction with The Hare Preservation Trust, this book offers a unique insight into this most fascinating of creatures.

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Book SynopsisA lighthearted and informative narrative about the history of herring and our love affair with the silver darlings. Scots like to smoke or salt them. The Dutch love them raw. Swedes look on with relish as they open bulging, foul-smelling cans to find them curdling within. Jamaicans prefer them with a dash of chilli pepper. Germans and the English enjoy their taste best when accompanied by pickle's bite and brine. Throughout the long centuries men have fished around their coastlines and beyond, the herring has done much to shape both human taste and history. Men have co-operated and come into conflict over its shoals, setting out in boats to catch them, straying, too, from their home ports to bring full nets to shore. Women have also often been at the centre of the industry, gutting and salting the catch when the annual harvest had taken place, knitting, too, the garments fishermen wore to protect them from the ocean's chill. Following a journey from the western edge of Norway to Trade ReviewThe story is told with great charm, and tinged with a spirit of loss and yearning. * Philip Marsden, The Spectator *Mr Murray is a gregarious and engaging raconteur as he flips between the diverse aspects of this versatile little creature. * The Economist *This is a splendid book, filled with passion, wit, and wonderful facts. * Geographical magazine *...a fine, scholarly, restless and keen-brained work. -- John Macleod * Scottish Review of Books *It's a fascinating book and worth a read. * The Glasgow Herald *Like the herring, this is a book that darts across time and oceans. It gleams with story. A wonderful read. -- Sally MagnussonThese herring tales are far more tasty than you might expect. * The Scotsman *Donald S. Murray takes us to places we’ve never been before as he explores the world of herring in a sweet, pellucid, often poetic prose. -- Jay PariniHerring Tales offers a fascinating view of the coastal cultures of northern Europe, of how a 12-inch fish has affected human activity there for hundreds of years. * Philip Marsden, The Spectator *Murray's account of the herring industry has almost as many facets as his slippery subjects have scales ... and offers fillets of history, culture and zoology, with an emphasis on the eclectic. * The Economist *Herring Tales is the story of close-knit communities based around a particular kind of fishing, a world that is both present and, alas, fading. I strongly recommend this eloquent and finely detailed book. -- Jay PariniMurray is one of my favourite authors in any genre, and this quirky book on how the "silver darlings" shaped human taste and history doesn't disappoint. * Guardian *Murray mixes folklore, personal reminiscence, cookery... and intertwines herring culture with political history. -- Brian Morton * Times Literary Supplement *After reading author, poet and Gaelic playwright Donald S Murray's quirky book you may never look at the humble herring in quite the same way! * Countryside *It provides interesting facts and observations about the fish and fishing industry, it's historical and economic impact, some amusing anecdotes, and even a couple of Woody Allen jokes. * Countryside *Who knew fermented fish could be so much fun? -- Anna Burnside * Daily Record *The herring is an unsung hero in the tale of the land and the sea. Its trade brought prosperity, but herring fishing brought misery and loss too. In his lyrical voice Donald Murray sings this tale so we can fathom its depths. And, as is always the case with good poetry, all of it is true. -- Huib Stam, author of Herring: A Love StorySearch as you might, you may be reasonably assured that no other subject of the Emperor Herring will publish a better book about the reign of the silver darlings. ‘Herring Tales’ is a glorious piece of non-fiction … a fast, lively, funny and altogether irresistible book. ‘Herring Tales’ is a tour de force. It may not bring the shoals back, but it will immortalise their memory. * West Highland Free Press *Donald weaves a herring tapestry as beautiful and as intricate as a piece of Harris Tweed. * The New Shetlander *Coated in oatmeal and fried, kippered or pickled or eaten raw, the herring is the best of fish, and Donald Murray’s social, economic and cultural history of the herring fisheries of northern Europe is worthy of it, rich in observation, reflection and anecdote. It’s an entrancing work in which learning is worn lightly and an all but vanished way of life is brought vividly before us. There’s the taste of the sea in the herring and in this book. -- Allan MassieA rare and precious book which is both erudite and humane. Herring Tales takes a humble, overlooked phenomenon and shows how all of life is interwoven with it. Totally life-affirming and inspirational. -- Ewan MorrisonA fascinating, vividly written account of the role of the herring in the history, culture, folklore, festivities as well as cuisine of life all over the North Sea. The canvas is wide, and the author looks at Ireland, Scotland, Iceland, Norway, Holland, with an unexpected glance at Italy thrown in. An informative work and an enthralling read. Donald Murray shows that there is more to the herring than an accompaniment to a plate of chips on a Saturday night after an evening at the pub. -- Joseph FarrellIt is a fascinating read – written with wit and a deep rooted understanding of the subject. * fallonsangler.net *This delightful book celebrates the strong cultural bond between herring and human. * Daily Mail *Table of ContentsMap of The Major Herring Ports of Northern Europe Chapter 1: 'Them Belly Full' Chapter 2: 'When the Seagulls Follow the Travellers' Chapter 3: 'Return to Sender' Chapter 4: 'There's a Ghost in My House' Chapter 5: 'Get Off of My Cloud' Chapter 6: 'Starman' Chapter 7: 'Celebration of the Lizard' Chapter 8: 'Seven Seas of Rhye' Chapter 9: 'Blowing' in the Wind' Chapter 10: 'Dweller on the Threshold' Chapter 11: 'Spirit in the Sky' Chapter 12: 'Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?' Bibliography 'Reasons to be Cheerful' Index Photographic Credits Plates

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Book SynopsisThe beauty of the apex predator captured up close and unflinchingly.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Princeton is known for the high quality of its book production and this offering is no exception – the picture quality, especially, is spectacular. This book is a must for UK nudibranch divers."---Steve Weinman, Divernet"A fine book which will no doubt become the invaluable companion of divers, underwater photographers, and naturalists exploring coastal waters. I doubt they'll leave home without it."---David M. Gascoigne, Travels With Birds"This guide is a very welcome addition to my bookshelf/dive crate. Whether you are relatively new to nudibranch spotting, photographing and recording, or have been an enthusiast for many years, this guidebook is going to really help support you with identification."---Kate Lock, Porcupine Marine Natural History Society

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Book Synopsis''I envy no body but him, and him only, that catches more fish than I do.''A unique celebration of the English countryside and the most famous book on angling ever published, Walton''s Compleat Angler first appeared in 1653. In 1676, at Walton''s invitation, his friend Charles Cotton contributed his pioneering exploration of fly-fishing. The book is both a manual of instruction and a vision of society in harmony with nature. It guides the novice fisherman on how to catch and cook a variety of fish, on how to select and prepare the best bait and make artificial flies, and on the habits of freshwater fish. It also promotes angling as a communal activity in which the bonds of friendship are forged through shared experience of the natural world.Anecdotes, poetry, music, and song intersperse the rural descriptions, which promote conservation as well as sport. This new edition highlights the book''s continuing relevance to our relationship with the environment, and explores the turbulent history from which it came.ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World''s Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford''s commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.Trade Review'infused throughout with good fun and good sense' * Simon Redfern, The Independent *'a fascinating snapshot of 17th-century England...far more of a page turner than I ever dared hope' * Trout Fisherman *'splendid introduction' * Land and Business *Table of ContentsIntroduction Note on the Text Select Bibliography A Chronology of Izaak Walton and Charles Cotton Maps THE COMPLEAT ANGLER, PART I, by Izaak Walton THE COMPLEAT ANGLER, Part II, by Charles Cotton Explanatory Notes Glossary of Angling Terms

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Book SynopsisRSPB Spotlight Seals is packed with eye-catching, informative color photos and features succinct, detailed text written by a knowledgeable naturalist.Spotlight Seals explores the intricate lives of the UK''s native Grey and Common Seals and their amazing physical and behavioral adaptations to a life split between land and sea. Seals are the sleekest and most agile of all marine mammals, and they are superbly adapted to the watery world in which they spend most of their time. With their whiskery dog-like faces, curious nature and vulnerable pups, they are enduringly appealing animals. Although air-breathing, these marine mammals are superbly tuned to hunt, sleep, mate and keep warm while out at sea, but they remain inextricably linked to land where they moult and have their pups.Frances Dipper also delves into the complex physiology that allows seals to dive deep and for long periods without coming to any harm. Once ruthlessly exploited for their Table of ContentsMeet the Seals Seals Around the World Life on Land Life on Sea The Daily Routine Watching Seals Threats and Protection Seals in Our Lives Further Reading and Resources Acknowledgements Image Credits Index

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Book SynopsisRemarkable new discoveries affirm the octopus as one of nature's most intelligent and complex animals. This new book - written by the beloved author of the international bestseller The Soul of an Octopus and enhanced with vivid National Geographic photography - brings us closer than ever to these elusive creatures.

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Book SynopsisOtters by Nicola Chester is an accessible and lively account of an intriguing and much-loved animal that, surprisingly, is still endangered and rarely seen despite a recent resurgence that has seen it expand from the remote countryside into our cities.Nicola's charming, informed text brings this elusive and exciting mammal into sharper focus revealing what an otter is, and how they live, feed, play and breed. Nicola reflects on how otters exist in our imaginations culturally and how that has changed over the years. She also examines the many challenges otters have faced, exposing what brought them to the brink of extinction, and explores the challenges we face in trying to find and watch otters in the wild.Each Spotlight title is carefully designed to introduce readers to the lives and behaviour of our favourite birds and mammals.Trade ReviewA slim, stylish volume. * Scotland Outdoors *Table of Contents1) Meet the Otter 2) A Riverine Life 3) Family Play 4) Tarka 5) Mij and Mouse 6) Threats 7) Conservation 8) Spotting an Otter 9) Salty dogs 10) An Ottery Glossary Index

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Book SynopsisAn Underwater Guide to the Red Sea introduces over 1,000 species of invertebrate and over 200 species of coral, forming the basis of a marine eco-system which includes 1,100 species of fish, of which just under 20% are endemic. The high level of endemism is one of the main factors that makes scuba diving in Egypt so attractive. The dive sites offer unobstructed opportunities to spot tropical marine life in crystal-clear waters, ranging from sharks and dolphins to gorgonian fans and feather-stars. Diving types include shallow patch reefs, drift dives and walls, and a collection of some of the most interesting wrecks you are likely to find anywhere, including the world-famous Carnatic and Thistlegorm wrecks. Many of the reefs stretch out far into the sea and form intricate labyrinths of plateaus, lagoons, caves and gardens. Divided into three parts, the first is an introduction to diving and snorkelling in the Red Sea including what to expect and where to base yourself; next a guide to the best sites for diving and snorkelling; and finally a photographic identification of 282 of the most common species of fish, invertebrates, corals and megafauna. The second edition has been carefully updated, so that it continues to be an essential pocket guide for divers and snorkellers.

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Book SynopsisThis new field guide is a complete and convenient reference to every species of cetacean, pinniped and sirenian in the world, along with the Marine and Sea Otters and the Polar Bear.Every species is illustrated with magnificent colour paintings and a stunning collection of photographs, chosen to illustrate the key field marks which can be used to separate each species in the field.The author''s unique depth of experience and knowledge, coupled with the artist''s unrivalled skill, have come together to produce a neat, practical field guide that will enable any observer to quickly identify any mammals they may encounter at sea.Trade ReviewOne of the most attractive, well-produced and comprehensive guides ever published... Whales, Dolphins and Seals is a tour de force for author Hadoram Shirihai and artist Brett Jarrett. The lavishly illustrated paperback is a delight, with Jarrett's exquisitely crafted paintings, copious colour photographs and a text that is well laid out and highly informative. It really is a delightful book. * Sunday Express *This is an excellent buy and a must for cetacean lovers. * Birdwatch *It is likely to become the definitive guide to these fascinating creatures. * Saturday Guardian *An excellent book. The layout for the species pages is eye-catching but easy to read. There is a pleasing mix of photographs and and high quality artwork for each species together with texts that cover descriptions, behaviour, distribution and similar species. An invaluable field guide. * BTO News *This beautifully illustrated and informative text has fast become the definitive guide to the marine mammals of the world. * WDCS *Excellent field guide. * Wanderlust *Keep handy in the cockpit on your next adventure. * Ontario Sailor *

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Book SynopsisAmong the most popular and endearing of Britain's wild creatures, otters inhabit not only the full length of the British and Irish coasts but also many river systems and lochs. Formerly hunted almost to extinction, they are one of conservation's great success stories. In The Secret Life of the Otter, Andy Howard opens their lives to us with a perfect combination of words and images: how they hunt, the beauty of their movement, fierce battles over territory, and how they raise their young. From the Scottish Highlands to Vancouver Island, Andy's stunning photography will amaze and enlighten.Trade Review'In this glittering collection of intimate portraits, Andy Howard brings us closer to the lives of wild otters than any casual observer could ever hope for.' Sir John Lister-Kaye OBE‘This is a cracker of a book with some stunning photos. It really is the next best thing to seeing these wonderful animals in the wild.’ Iolo WilliamsMarvellous.

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Book SynopsisAsk anyone to picture a bird or a fish and a series of clear images will immediately come to mind. Ask the same person to picture plankton and most would have a hard time conjuring anything beyond a vague squiggle or a greyish fleck. This book explains the biological underpinnings of each species while connecting them to the larger living world.Trade Review"A stunningly beautiful work of art that is sure to draw the reader into this world typically missed by all but a few oceanographers and marine biologists." -Karen Osborn, Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural HistoryTable of ContentsPrologue, by Mark Ohman Introduction. Plankton: Wonders of the Drifting World What Are Plankton? Plankton and Man The Origins: Life Shapes the Planet Explosions, Extinctions, and Evolution of Life in the Ocean A Chronological History of the Planet and the Tree of Life Taxonomy and Phylogeny: Hierarchical Categorizations Organisms of All Sizes, with Different Roles and Behavior Collecting and Identifying Plankton, Then and Now Plankton of the World Villefranche-sur-Mer, France: A Bay Famous for Its Plankton Between Ecuador and Galapagos: Tara Oceans Expedition South Carolina, United States: Salt Marsh Estuaries Izu Peninsula and Shimoda, Japan: Autumn Plankton Unicellular Creatures: From the Origins of Life Bacteria, Archaea, and Viruses: Invisible but Omnipresent Unicellular Protists: Precursors of Plants and Animals Phytoplankton Coccolithophores and Foraminifera: Limestone Architects Diatoms and Dinoflagellates: Silicate or Cellulose Houses Radiolarians: Polycystines and Acantharians: Symbiosis at the Ocean Surface Ciliates, Tintinnids, and Choanoflagellates: Motility and Multicellularity Ctenophores and Cnidarians: Ancestral Forms Ctenophores: Carnivorous Comb Jellies Jellyfish: Equipped to Survive Siphonophores: The Longest Animals in the World Velella, Porpita, and Physalia: Planktonic Sailors Crustaceans and Mollusks: Champions of Diversity Crustacean Larvae: Molting and Metamorphosis Copepods to Amphipods: Variations on a Theme Phronima: Monster in a Barrel Pteropods and Heteropods: Mollusks That Swim with Their Feet Cephalopods and Nudibranchs: Beautiful Colors and Camouflage Worms and Tadpoles: Arrows, Tubes, and Nets Chaetognaths: Arrows in the Oceans Polychaete Annelids: Worms in the Sea Salps, Doliolids, and Pyrosomes: Highly Evolved Gelatinous Animals Larvaceans: Tadpoles That Live in a Net Embryos and Larvae Epilogue Acknowledgments Bibliography, Websites Credits Index

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"This book is the definitive field guide to the sharks, rays, and chimaera of Europe and the Mediterranean."---Paul Cox, Shark Trust"This book is an utter delight, a treasure trove for shark geeks and a remarkable achievement for both author and illustrator. If you're interested in elasmobranchs and want a truly comprehensive i-d resource for this region, look no further."---Simon Rogerson, SCUBA Magazine"This book is a tour de force and will become the authoritative field guide and species reference for this region and an essential part of any interested person’s wildlife tool kit."---David Sims, Marine Biologist magazine"A great thing to have on your bookshelf. . . . Nobody, it seems, produces better marine-life scientific illustrations than Marc Dando, whose work can be admired here. Author David Ebert, programme director of the Pacific Shark Research Centre, knows his elasmobranchs and, while this is a reference book, has a clear and authoritative style."---Steve Weinman, Diver Magazine"Recommended for a wide range of readers from experts to enthusiasts who are interested in chondrichthyans particularly for this part of the world."---Phillip C. Sternes, Journal of Fish Biology ​​​​​​"Everything you might ever want to know about these sharks and their relatives, from detailed dentition infographics for most shark species, to highly notated and very beautiful identification illustrations, is crammed into 384 exquisitely designed pages. This is the standard that all marine life field guides should aspire to reach." * DIVE Magazine *

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Book SynopsisSlow down, relax, and express your creativity with another fun coloring book for grown-ups in the Color Me Coloring Books series.Relax in the hidden world under the sea. This adorable collection features stunning marine scenes that you can escape into. These detailed illustrations allow you to practice mindfulness and will keep you busy for hours. Take advantage of the meditative benefits of coloring with schools of fish, bright octopi, starfish, sea horses, sharks, dolphins, whales, jellyfish, and more.Color Me Under the Sea includes: 50 coloring pages designed to help you unwind Designs suitable for all skill levels, with a range of selections for beginners and experienced artists One-sided pages so your art doesn’t bleed through to the other side Anxiety-reducing benefits to lift your mood and help you practice mindfulness Whether you need a calming atmosphere, want to unwind at the end of the day, are trying a new hobby, or just love coloring, there is something here for everyone. Forget your worries as you explore these creative scenes. You can use colored pencils, markers, gel pens, watercolors, crayons, or whatever tool you want to fill in these designs. Let your imagination run wild with Color Me Under the Sea.

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Book SynopsisThe fresh waters of the British Isles are diverse, ranging from torrential hill streams to powerful rivers and wide, meandering lowland channels. Canals and drainage channels, ranging in size from ditches to the large Fenland drains of eastern England also hold fish, as do reservoirs, lakes, ponds and other still water bodies. The fish themselves are correspondingly varied. This pocket-sized book provides information about the 54 native, invasive and naturalised species found in the UK today, and includes a photograph of each to allow easy identification

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Book SynopsisWinner of the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction, Finalist for the Kirkus Prize for Nonfiction, and the PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award, Shortlisted for the Stella Prize, Highly Commended in the Wainwright Prize for writing on global conservation, and a Sunday Independent Book of the Year. How do whales experience environmental change? Has our connection to these animals been transformed by technology? What future awaits us, and them? Fathoms blends natural history, philosophy, and science to explore these questions. Giggs introduces us to whales so rare they have never been named and tells us of whale ‘pop’ songs that sweep across hemispheres. She takes us into the deeps to discover that one whale’s death can spark a great flourishing of creatures. We travel to Japan to board whaling ships, examine the uncanny charisma of these magnificent mammals, and confront the plastic pollution now pervading their underwater environment.Trade Review‘Fathoms is perhaps the finest book written about whales since Moby Dick was published 170 years ago. It’s also one of the best accounts I’ve ever read of the interaction, intended and unintended, between humans and other species — a work of genuinely literary imagination.’ -- Verlyn Klinkenborg * New York Review of Books *‘Fathoms took my breath away. Every page is suffused with magic and meaning. Humanity’s relationship with nature has never been more important or vulnerable, and we are truly fortunate that at such a pivotal moment, a writer of Rebecca Giggs’s calibre is here to capture every beautiful detail, every aching nuance. She is in a league of her own.’ -- Ed Yong, author of I Contain Multitudes‘Fathoms is a magnificent book, as grand and profound in its sweep as the whale itself. Rebecca Giggs is a brilliant writer - her prose packed with wonders and glittering with ideas.’ -- Philip Marsden, author of The Summer Isles‘Fathoms reads like a poem. Its virtuoso thinking is a revelation. I can’t think of many books in which love for the world and uncompromising, ever-deepening rigour come together in this way. Time slows down. This book makes a permanent dent in the reader.’ -- Maria Tumarkin, author of Axiomatic‘Fathoms is a marvel: a glorious, prismatic, deeply affecting hymn to the beauty, majesty, and extremity of whales and the human imagining of them.’ -- James Bradley, author of Clade‘[A] lyrical, wide-ranging meditation on whales and their complex relationship with humanity … Meticulously researched and full of fascinating information.’ -- Books+Publishing‘In Fathoms, Rebecca Giggs rips the metaphors off whales and brings us closer than we can usually get to the creatures themselves. Along the way, she shows us how intimately whales are shaping our lives, how they change air quality, and crime, and even our conception of time. I can't stop thinking about the connections she has unearthed, how a whale is connected to a meteor, a mother's breast, a landfill. Under the spell of her deliciously evocative prose, you get the sense that you are truly, finally, glimpsing a whale in full glory. Like the busks she writes about—tiny missives carved into whalebone corsets by sailors—this book leaves an imprint.’ -- Lulu Miller, author of Why Fish Don’t Exist and co-founder of NPR’s Invisibilia‘Seafaring scrutiny of whales, their oceanic environment, and the dangers to their survival … Giggs presents … scholarship in crisp, creatively written chapters addressing the many layers of the whale population’s unique physiology and evolutionary history, sociality, above-water balletic athleticism, and enigmatic ‘biophony’ of their vocalisations. Most importantly, she analyses how their behaviour can be predictive for the Earth’s future … Giggs reiterates that the whale and its life, legacy, and precarious environmental state are reflective of the greater issues the Earth faces, from ecological upheaval to overconsumption. Whether describing the majesty of the blue whale or the human assault on sea ecology due to paper and plastic pollution, the author’s prose is poetic, beautifully smooth, urgently readable, and eloquently informative. Her passion for whales leaps off the page, urging readers to care and—even more so—become involved in their protection and preservation. Throughout the book, the author’s debut, she brilliantly exposes ‘how regular human life seeped into the habitats of wildlife, and how wildlife returned back to us, the evidence of our obliviousness.’ Refreshingly, she also reveals glimmers of hope regarding what whales can teach the human race about our capacity to ecologically coexist with the natural world. A thoughtful, ambitiously crafted appeal for the preservation of marine mammals.’ STARRED REVIEW * Kirkus Reviews *‘Astonishing ... utterly original ... Fathomsis an attempt to interpret our contemporary moment – and in particular our relationship with the non-human world – through the glistening figure of the whale in all its myriad aspects ... The language of Fathoms has a remarkable, almost gothic intensity. The style is vivid and estranging and luridly compelling, full of weird lights and unexpected textures ... A remarkable literary event because it is a new and hugely ambitious kind of nature writing, verging on poetry. It is itself a whale cure, thrusting us into the dark intestine of the whale, among the indigestible plastics and other pollutants, the better to hear the conscience of tomorrow.’ -- Andrew Fuhrmann * The Monthly *‘In Fathoms, Rebecca Giggs unravels a powerful nonfiction narrative, masterfully blending history, philosophy and science.’ -- Dan Shaw * Happy Magazine *‘This book is nothing less than a small masterpiece. … Rebecca Giggs’ Fathoms – the world in the whale is a remarkable meditation on, nominally, whales, but through them the delicacy and intricacy of human relationships with the environment, and the history and legacy of our intimate and devastating impact upon ecosystems … The book is a striking piece of narrative nonfiction, philosophical and personal at once wrestling with liminal vulnerabilities, fantasies, conceits and projections, and it deserves global attention.’ 4.5 STARS -- Anna Westbrook * ArtsHub *‘Fathoms is horrific, poetic and profound; a morbid dirge shot through with celestial light. As well as being an extensively researched and deeply considered study, the book is also a wunderkammer of tales that illustrate the hot mess of human aggression, obliviousness and folly … Fathoms is a vast book, the scale of which brings to mind the blue whale, anatomically mysterious and the largest creature to have lived. Giggs weaves together cosmological phenomena with their deep-sea reverberations to give us a book that feels universal.’ -- Justine Hyde * The Saturday Paper *‘With remarkable detective work, author Rebecca Giggs explores the habitats and migratory patterns of whales to reveal a great deal about them, and even more about us. It is a hauntingly beautiful examination of the moral force of animals, offering hope as well as despair.’ -- Jeff Maynard * Herald Sun *‘A work of bright and careful genius. Equal parts Rebecca Solnit and Annie Dillard, Giggs masterfully combines lush prose with conscientious history and boots-on-the-beach reporting. With Giggs leading us gently by the hand we dive down, and down, and down, into the dark core of the whale, which, she convincingly reveals, is also the guts of the world.’ -- Robert Moor, New York Times bestselling author of On Trails: an exploration‘Rebecca Giggs’ Fathoms is a triumph, a deliciously rich work of art that, as if by magic, combines exquisite prose that floats off the page and into your heart with scientific accuracy and epic scope. This is by far the best book about whales I have ever read. What an achievement!’ -- Wendy Williams, author of The Language of Butterflies and New York Times bestseller The Horse: the epic history of our noble companion‘One of the most beautifully written nonfiction books I have read in a long time. It's so hard to do justice to the immense importance of whales and the lessons they have for us all. Rebecca Giggs does an extraordinary job of bringing together the science, the history, and the brilliance and fragility of whales.’ -- Christine Kenneally, author of The Invisible History of the Human Race‘Fathoms is a work of profound insight and wonder.’ * X-Press Magazine *‘The book is a masterpiece. I am astonished that it is Giggs’s first, for it reads like the work of a far more experienced author ... Giggs’s exquisite prose is so striking as to be almost poetic, pulling the reader up constantly, either to savour a particularly apposite phrase, or to ponder a deep, unexpected connection. If a whale warrants a pause, then Fathoms warrants many.’ -- Tim Flannery * The Australian *‘Lyrical, meditative and deeply researched, this gorgeous book by WA writer Rebecca Giggs is one to linger over.’ * The Weekend West *‘This is a heavy read, but a fascinating and vital one.’ -- Ellen Cregan * Kill Your Darlings *‘Fathoms is beautifully written, always aiming for the bigger picture: what it means to live in the world; and what it means to be enthralled by the world we live in and destroying it … Fathoms is a glorious, beautiful and deeply important book.’ -- Magdalena Ball * Compulsive Reader *‘Truly remarkable … Each page is full of wonder and revelation.’ -- Grey Kelly * Talking Heads Magazine *‘This is an unforgettable, meticulously researched work that examines the ways that we’re all connected — with whales, with the, environment and each other.’ -- Eliza Henry-Jones * Organic Gardener Magazine *‘Meticulous research and stunning prose … unique, introspective and poetic.’ -- Zoya Patel * Canberra Times *‘[A] moving homage to the whale … A book that begins with obsequies for a whale ends by enlarging our knowledge of, and sense of wonder about, this magnificent species. It is non-fiction told with the vivacity and moral authority that was once reserved for fiction.’ * Australian Financial Review *‘Giggs’ meticulous research is itself awesome. Every page has its breathtaking revelations … For all this wondrous detail, the whale remains a lens through which to consider humanity’s relationship with the environment … Fathoms’ exhilarating poetic language is richly allusive and orchestrated … this marvellous work of haunted wonder ends with a fiercely unabashed vision of humanity moved 'from indecision to action', for whales, for love, for the world.’ -- Felicity Plunkett * Sydney Morning Herald *‘[A] delving, haunted and poetic debut. Giggs is worth reading for her spotlight observations and lyricism alone, but she also has an important message to deliver … [S]he uses whales as invitations to consider everything else: the selfie-isation of environmentalism, the inherent worth of parasites, Jungian psychoanalysis, solar storms, whale songs records going multiplatinum and so much more. In the cascade of mini-essays that results, Giggs comes off as much as a cultural critic as a naturalist.’ -- Doug Bock Clark * The New York Times Book Review *‘There is much to marvel at here … Deeply researched and deeply felt, Giggs’ intricate investigation, beautifully revelatory and haunting, urges us to save the whales once again, and the oceans, and ourselves.’ STARRED REVIEW * Booklist *‘In the whale, Giggs truly does find the world. She finds clues that unlock how humans have engaged nature — tales of greed, aggression, wonder, desperation, longing, nostalgia, love, curiosity and obsession. Her prose is luminous … tracing humankind’s continuing intersection with these alluring creatures, Giggs ultimately uncovers seeds of hope and, planting them in her fertile mind, cultivates a lush landscape that offers remarkable views of nature, humanity and how we might find a way forward together.’ STARRED REVIEW * BookPage *‘Fathoms immediately earns its place in the pantheon of classics of the new golden age of environmental writing.’ -- Stephen Sparks * Literary Hub *‘A profound meditation … Giggs explores how whales have permeated our lives and the many ways we have invaded and transformed theirs. Each chapter orbits a different aspect of this long and fraught relationship — commodification, pollution, voyeurism, adoration, mythology — swerving wherever Giggs’s extensive research and fervent curiosity take her … Giggs’s prose is fluid, sensuous, and lyrical. She has a poet’s gift for startling and original imagery … The lushness of her sentences and the intensity of her vision inspire frequent rereading — not for clarity, but for sheer pleasure and depth of meaning.’ -- Ferris Jabr * Los Angeles Review of Books *‘[W]idens the aperture of our attention with a literary style so stunning that the reader may forget to blink ... In a story that extends across several continents, Ms. Giggs marshals lapidary language to give the crisis a compelling voice. Her prose, like the oceans in which her subjects roam, is immersive; her sentences submerge us in a sea of sensations … [M]ore descriptive than prescriptive concerning the plight of whales and, by implication, the health of the Earth. But as with George Orwell’s Shooting an Elephant and E.B. White’s Death of a Pig, Ms. Giggs, tending the final hours of a humpback on an Australian beach, reminds us that paying attention to the close of another creature’s life can be its own form of moral instruction.’ -- Danny Heitman * The Wall Street Journal *‘Immersive … Illustrating the interconnectedness of all life and the ways man's depredations travel from the smallest creatures to this largest of Earth's animals … In lyrical language, Giggs leads readers on a journey through underwater cultures and the place of whales in the chain of life. Recommended for readers interested in nature, ecology, and environmentalism.’ -- Caren Nichter * Library Journal *‘A searching debut … Giggs displays a keen awareness of what it means to write about a creature whose future is just as uncertain as our own.’ * The Nation *‘As well as being dazzlingly well researched and conveyed, the language in Fathoms is wonderful in that it never becomes sentimental and yet is thoroughly moving. Combining reportage, cultural criticism and poem as a call to action in the spirit of Rachel Carson, Giggs is an assured new voice in narrative nonfiction … Gloriously, she presents whales as poets … We need to be moved – therein the particular power of literature to expand the parameters of our compassion … More prescient for its time than the author could have imagined.’ -- Abi Andrews * The Irish Times *‘Fathoms is brilliantly full of wonder.’ * The Economist *‘Masterly.’ * The New Yorker *‘Glorious and astounding.’ -- Robbie Arnott‘With distinctive prose, as philosophical as it is scientific, this is a challenging and illuminating portrait of the oceans’ great cetaceans and what they mean to people.’ -- Helen Scales * BBC Wildlife Magazine *‘Beautiful and insightful.’ -- Pádraic Fogarty * Sunday Independent *‘By looking at the largest of our mammalian cousins Rebecca Giggs returns us to ourselves. This vital and urgent book awakens our wonder and our fear. In dense language, rich in poetry and science, it fathoms a deep empathy for the living world.’ -- Antony Gormley‘Some of the most alive, inventive writing on the planet is nature writing, and Giggs’ Fathoms is glorious proof. Ostentatious, mythic and strange, this is the kind of book that swallows you whole. Entirely fitting for its subject.’ -- Beejay Silcox * The Guardian *‘Fathoms is the result of years of research and contemplation: a cultural, historical and ecological exploration of whales and their place in human life and thought … It is simply one of the most miraculous and illuminating accounts of animality I’ve come across. Read it, read the whole magnificent tome: you’ll leave it filled with renewed awe for cetacean existence.’ -- Geordie Williamson * The Australian *‘A poetic and surprisingly wide-ranging blend of natural history, science and philosophy.’ -- Gemma Nisbet * The Weekend West Australian *‘This remarkable study of whales examines much more than the magnificent creatures of the deep. Through brilliant detective work, Giggs explores the habitats and migratory patterns of whales to reveal a great deal about them, and even more about the human impact on the oceans.’ * The Chronicle *‘Giggs’s style is all the more impactful for its sparseness … Her journey encompasses everything from whale-hunting ships in Japan to Loch Ness monster conspiracy theories in Scotland, with all of the disparate subjects deftly woven together by clipped, polished prose.’ -- Caroline Crampton * The Mail on Sunday *‘Wonder pours out of every page of this gorgeously written and daringly imagined book.’ -- Laura Miller * Slate *‘Extraordinary.’ -- Hannah James * Australian Geographic *‘A book like this shows the best of what reflective, creative non-fiction can do.’ -- Kate Evans * ABC Radio *‘Rebecca Giggs’ enthralling Fathoms: the world in the whale presents whales as immense, enigmatic, intelligent and majestic sea creatures, but also vividly describes the intricate ecosystem of the vast oceans in which they live and die. Drawing from science, history, literature, art and mythology, Fathoms is both epic in scale and rich in detail about the life cycle of whales, their behaviours and sociality.’ -- Donna Lee Brien * The Conversation *‘Lyrical … Facts like these are eye-opening. But the book shines most brightly in its poetry … Giggs’s writing has an old-fashioned lushness and elaborateness of thought … its finest passages — and they are many — awaken a sense of wonder. That other lives as marvellous and mysterious as these still exist is, for the moment at least, a reason to celebrate.’ -- Richard Schiffman * The Washington Post *‘Like fine tapestry, strands unite into a coherent work of great beauty. Yes, this is a book about what whales mean to us, but it’s also about how to interweave and admire cultural and biological stories, metaphors, and meanings.’ -- David George Haskell * Geographical Magazine *'An incredibly wonderful book ... [Giggs] is a fabulous writer' -- Brian Eno‘Giggs' work [Fathoms] … on whales, climate change and pollution has been one of the most affecting [books] I've read in a while.’ -- Sophie Overett * The Courier-Mail *‘It’s rare for whales to get what they deserve from our species, but Giggs’ fascinating and poetic natural history starts to pay back a portion of an impossible debt.’ -- Christopher J. Preston * Geographical Magazine *

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Book SynopsisHumans and dolphins have a unique bond. We know that dolphins are highly intelligent, intensely sociable beings who recognize their own reflections, introduce themselves by name, form close friendships, communicate constantly, feel despondent, rescue one another (and humans), deduce, infer, throw tantrums, gossip, joke, and scheme. Many who have swum with them describe the experience as life-changing. They are heralded as magical creatures, and yet we force them into starring roles at theme parks, trade them on the black market and put them to slaughter. Voices in the Ocean is at once a celebration of these beloved animals and a devastating chronicle of the damage wrought when human and dolphin worlds meet. Through Casey’s illuminating portrayal of these beguiling creatures we encounter the best and worst of ourselves.Trade Review‘Seems to be pitching for a TV series with its show-stopping opening...A brilliantly written and passionate book...timely and urgent.’ * Guardian *‘Gripping...Casey is a joyously lyrical writer, and her descriptions of dolphin and human behaviour are mostly laugh-out-loud funny.’ * Mail on Sunday *‘Casey’s journey through the history of research into dolphin intelligence...uncovered things that had me gasping.’ * Daily Telegraph *'Casey describes the...dolphins...with sensitivity, wit and charm. But [their] enormous appeal has a sinister underbelly...Our relations with dolphins are not yet as respectful as their great intelligence deserves'. * BBC Wildlife *'Both a zoological tract and a personal study, this book from marine-life enthusiast Casey explores humanity's uneasy relationship to dolphins'. * Observer *‘An extraordinary, sometimes disturbing, journey into the world of dolphins... By turns uplifting and heartbreaking, filled with well-researched facts and personal adventures, this a vitally important book, both for the animals, and for us.’ -- Philip Hoare, author of Leviathan or, The Whale and The Sea Inside‘Voices in the Ocean is as much a beautiful, well-researched narrative about dolphins as it is a powerful and timely voice of reason urging us to connect with nature. You will be keenly recommending this to friends so that you can explore its depths together into the small hours.’ -- Maya Plass, Marine and Coastal Ecologist, Guest Presenter on BBC Spring/Autumnwatch and author of the RSPB Handbook of the Seashore‘A meticulously reported global odyssey’ * Outside magazine *‘This book puts our contradictory relationship with the natural world under the spotlight. We supposedly love and revere marine mammals, yet even today we still treat them with savage cruelty. Susan Casey uses her journalistic eye to skilfully expose the duality of our relationship with the ocean's most charismatic inhabitants. Voices in the Ocean exposes the shameful abuse we inflict on our cetacean cousins.’ -- Tim Ecott, author of Stealing Water and Neutral Buoyancy: Adventures in a Liquid World

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Book Synopsis'Wild and wonderful ... I doubt anyone will ever match Strandings for its sheer bravura, its wry insight, and its absolute, engulfing, and brilliantly enlivening whaleheadedness' PHILIP HOARE, ALBERT AND THE WHALE 'Addictive and scandalously fascinating' Caught by the River When Peter Riley was thirteen, a woman with blue hair and a comet tattoo asked him to help load the jaw of a sperm whale into the back of a Volvo 245. The encounter set Riley on a decades-long quest to make sense of what had happened. Enter the secretive world of whale scavengers. When a whale washes up on one of Britain's coasts, a fugitive community descends to claim trophies from the carcass. Some are driven by magical beliefs. Some are motivated by profit: there is a black market for everything from ambergris to whaletooth sex toys. But for others, the need goes much deeper. Join Riley on a tour of a stranded kingdom's weird outer reaches, where nothing is as it seems. Meet witches, pedlars, fetishists, conspiracy theorists and fallen aristocrats. And prepare for a final revelation, as the mystery of the comet woman tangles with the enigmatic symbol of Leviathan itself, beached on Britain's fatal shore.Trade ReviewA strange book ... you can't help being swept along on the tides of Riley's esoteric thinking ... for each of [Riley's] motley crew, whale strandings offer more than just collector's items: dead whales are key, it seems, to their understanding of who they are -- Clare Saxby * TLS *An addictive and scandalously fascinating book written from the centre of a storm of obsession. You will finish feeling spun out and tugged into the maelstrom that is Riley's whales * Caught by the River *Enchanting ... these whale strandings are therefore both an echo of a fundamental moment for our own species, and a grim premonition of where we might soon be heading * Strong Words *Strandings is a strange book; disarmingly candid and born out of such a personal preoccupation that Riley must have wondered if it could ever resonate with an external reader. And yet it does, and Riley's writing ends up getting under your skin. * Dark Mountain *A wild and wonderful whale chase, of cetaceans real and surreal and imagined, Peter Riley's beautifully written book adopts the sceptical/obsessive tone of a modern Melville (or perhaps that should be Captain Ahab) as he roams Britain from east to west, north to south, in search of usually dead and often rotting whales and the stories they leave in their wake. There's no box of dusty bones he won't stick his nose in, no dubious character on a beach he won't shake down for stolen whale teeth. Indeed, Riley's so interwoven with his subject that I doubt anyone will ever match Strandings for its sheer bravura, its wry insight, and its absolute, engulfing, and brilliantly enlivening whaleheadedness -- Philip Hoare, author * Leviathan and Albert and the Whale *With wit and a whale-lover's passion, Riley explores the cultural and emotional bonds that form between humans and our sea-dwelling, mammalian cousins - both alive and dead. Strandings is at once incisive and funny, personal and historical, gripping and moving -- Merlin Sheldrake, author * Entangled Life *Erudite, funny and sad - a glorious rollercoaster of a book whose twists and turns take us again and again to the dissolving edges between reality and mirage -- Jean Sprackland, author * These Silent Mansions *A marvellous read. Subversive, jaunty, poignant, deadly serious and relentlessly entertaining -- Charles Foster, author * Being a Human and Being a Beast *A tremendously enjoyable book, a gleefully peculiar mixture of grief and gore populated by a shadowy cast of oddballs, the only certainty the dead whales at its heart -- Jessie Greengrass, author * The High House *Reading Strandings is to be caught in a magical drift, borne ever deeper, into the atavistic, into the animal selves, still alive, inside us. I was captivated -- David Keenan, author * This Is Memorial Device *A funny, personal and poetic dive into the mystical world of whale strandings. A compelling and fascinating read -- Will Sharpe, creator of C4's * Flowers *I devoured this - it's wonderful ... As compellingly eccentric as it is deeply humane, emotionally and politically astute. One test of a memoir is that you actually want to spend time with the narrator, and Riley is so charming, outward looking and rigorously honest it's impossible to consider anyone not. Strandings is a funny and poignant exploration of a fringe I didn't know existed, but written with such engaging personality and prose style I feel as though I've met the cast myself -- Luke Kennard, poet and author * The Transition *An authentic and troubling adventure for these dark times. Here is the taste, smell, and rush of a committed documentary-novelist unpicking the mysteries of his life and the great world in which he swims. A brave, reckless and engaging performance -- Iain Sinclair, author * The Gold Machine *Just the kind of book we need now: ecologically, politically, comedically potent and with personality worthy of Melville -- Liam Williams, comedian and writer * Pls Like *

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Book SynopsisFifth revised edition of the classic natural history of the killer whale, now up to date with the latest research, conservation news and changes in public awareness.Trade Review[Review of previous edition: ] A well-written, balanced account ... interspersed in the story are excellent summaries of our current knowledge about orca attacks, feeding behavior and hearing acuity. Aside from maps and photos, 8 well-referenced appendixes and a 14-page bibliography make it an important reference source for scientists.--Edward Mitchell, Arctic Biological Station [Canada "Canadian Geographic " [Review of previous edition: ] There is nothing wildlife needs more urgently than truth, for once people understand, people will act with preserved habitat, protective legislation, the tools of conservation. Erich Hoyt tells the truth about the orca in his fascinating book Orca: The Whale Called Killer. It is in itself a conservation tool. Required reading.--Roger Caras "ABC-TV News " [Review of previous edition: ] An enchanting story of adventure and discovery, one told with style, insight, charm and thoroughness.--Akron Beacon Journal [Review of previous edition: ] An engaging picture of the life of killer whales ... Hoyt's style is easygoing and comfortable, and as well organized as it is informative.--Cleveland Plain Dealer [Review of previous edition: ] An intensely personal account....Scientific, political, and historical details are woven into a highly readable narrative...thorough appendixes, lengthy bibliography. Recommended.--Library Journal [Review of previous edition: ] Monumental achievement...the best whale book in years.--Ronn Patterson "Oceans " [Review of previous edition: ] I have never read a better book on whales, partly because Hoyt writes so well ... The developing relationship between the whale-watchers and these magnificent mammals makes absorbing reading ... The book contains valuable scientific and historical appendixes and an excellent index ... Don't miss it!--Philadelphia Inquirer [Review of previous edition: ] Superb ... A fine story of adventure ... One of the best nature books of the year.--Publishers Weekly [Review of previous edition: ] A fine record of observations accumulated by patience and cautious persistence...presented somewhat in diary form of the summers with the whales, and interwoven with facts....The result is a well-compounded blend of close-up nature observation, scientific knowledge, and history. Bonuses are interesting asides on the scenery and wildlife, the lumbering, salmon fishing, and the local flavor of northern Vancouver Island. Hoyt's theme is preserve killer whales in their natural environment. He makes a good argument for it.--Elizabeth N. Shor, Scripps Institute of Oceanograp "San Diego Union Tribune "

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Book SynopsisKayaking the Sea Roads is a personal journey by sea kayak into the heart of the sea roads that make up our Scottish Highlands and islands. Blending the intensity of the journey with a careful observation of the natural world and first-hand knowledge of the challenges of living and working in this place, the author reminds us that mother nature, vast and resilient, is still out there beyond our mobile phones and urban lives. For those with the eyes to see, its natural rhythms can awaken a deep sense of wonder and give us cause to become part of the environmental recovery so sorely needed. With Ed, we travel low in the water with the restless sea ever present and we camp with him on remote rough shores. We share his feelings of wonder at the natural world, his fear at the exposure to rough seas and we encounter with him not just the myriad animals and birds that share his every day but also the people, their communities and the often gnarly rural issues impacting on human and animal alike. Alongside a deeply felt appreciation of the natural environment is a first-hand insight into the environmental and land-management issues pertinent to the Highland coast. By exploring, for instance, the impact of native versus non-native species, of community land ownership, of tourism, hunting and the varied other uses and indeed non-uses of coastal lands and seas, the readers' eyes are opened to a Scottish Highlands that is so much more than just a pretty view. At the surface, this is an adventure story, but at its heart, it is a tale about belonging and a deep sense of place; and it is a journey home, home in the end to where the author's Highland love affair began.

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Book SynopsisAn epic and fun history spanning from the mollusks that invented swimming to the octopuses and other intelligent cephalopods of today Publisher's Note: Monarchs of the Sea was previously published in hardcover as Squid Empire. Before mammals, there were dinosaurs. And before dinosaurs, there were cephalopods--the ancestors of modern squid, octopuses, and more creatures--Earth's first truly substantial animals. Essentially inventing the act of swimming, cephalopods presided over an undersea empire for millions of years--until fish evolved jaws, and cephalopods had to step up their game or risk being eaten. To keep up, some streamlined their shells and added defensive spines, while others abandoned the shell, opening the gates to a flood of evolutionary innovations: masterful camouflage, fin-supplemented jet propulsion, and intelligence we've yet to fully measure. Monarchs of the Sea is an epic, witty history about these bizarre but beautiful creatures that ruled the seas--and still captivate us today.Trade Review"Cephs rule! [Monarchs of the Sea], like its protagonists, is nimble, fast, surprising, smart, and weird in the very coolest sense of the word. What could be more fun than jetting back in time to primordial seas with the monsters who really ruled our planet? In these pages, Danna Staaf makes every dino-lover and every undersea adventurer's dream come true. It's a fabulous read with squishy, slimy delight on every page."--Sy Montgomery, New York Times-bestselling author of The Soul of an Octopus "This crystal-clear book will open your world to wider horizons and much deeper times. . . . Long before vertebrates evolved anything like higher intelligence, squids and octopuses were on a separate track to versatility, problem-solving, individual recognition, and deceit. Before we can know who we are, we must know who we are here with, and who has come before us."--Carl Safina, New York Times-bestselling author of Beyond Words: What Animals Think and Feel "I loved this book. . . . Staaf's approach is short and sweet, well-illustrated and strong on playful narrative."--Nature "It is a treat to come across a writer with such specialized training who is able to turn esoteric knowledge into a page-turning read for all audiences. . . . Staaf captures what is rarely seen outside the ivory tower: scientists talking among themselves with a touch of irreverence. Researchers everywhere will surely relate."--Science "This engaging book may do for early cephalopods what paleontologists did for dinosaurs in the 1960s: spark a public renaissance of appreciation for these magnificent creatures who once ruled the seas."--Jennifer Ouellette, author of Me, Myself, and Why and The Calculus Diaries "Intriguing . . . This in-depth coverage of an often neglected but ecologically vital group will change your view of squid, octopuses, and their relatives."--New Scientist "A book like [Monarchs of the Sea] is a reminder that in any scientific narrative, there are always two stories at play. There is the history of the subject you're studying, and then there is the history of its discovery."--New Republic "Fiendishly readable."--The Inquisitive Biologist "Fresh and fascinating."--The Times Literary Supplement

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Book SynopsisThe British beach is full of creatures that we think we know - from crabs to clams, starfish to anemones. But, in fact, we barely understand how many survive or thrive. In Rock Pool the delights of childhood paddling are elevated to oceanic discoveries, as the fragile beauty and drama of intertidal existence is illustrated through the incredible lives of twenty-four individual creatures. Rock Pool is the eye-opening account of a life-long passion by a talented writer and naturalist.Trade Review`Here are three simple steps to help you feel better about the world: read Heather Buttivant's marvellous book, grab a pair of wellies and get yourself to a rocky shore ... [a] thoughtful, enlightening and entertaining read.' BBC Wildlife Magazine | 'An utterly joyous book, a celebration of our incomparable 11,000 miles of British coastline ... an eye-opening delight from start to finish.' Daily Mail

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Book SynopsisWhether you would like to learn how to build a bird box, dig a hedgehog tunnel or implement broader environmental changes in your community, this practical guide to saving our most endangered species will teach you how you can help on an individual, local and national level.Focusing on thirty of our most loved and most at risk' inhabitants, this uplifting and hopeful book will give naturalists of any age the tools to respond to the SOS calls heard from their garden, local park and beyond.Featured species include: Hedgehog Shrill Carder Bee Red Squirrel Skylark Puffin Barn Owl Seahorse Bottle-nose Dolphin

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Book SynopsisDive into the depths and discover the mysteries of the world of water in this beautiful book for young readers.From myths and legends, folklore and fables, to amazing discoveries, and undiscovered depths - children will love exploring the amazing world of water in this beautifully illustrated book for young readers.Dive between the pages of Underwater World into the ocean depths to discover sunken lands, and sail in and out of legends laden with weird and wonderful monsters. This educational book for 7-9 year olds will teach curious children all about the ocean, magical creatures and mythology, mysteries and the unexplained.Dive straight in with this educational book to discover: - A variety of exciting topics surrounding water, including sunken cities, ghost ships, Ocean gods and goddesses, and mythical creatures such as the kraken, merpeople, selkies, and sirens.- Most of the world''s cultures that share mythology around

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Book SynopsisEllen Ruppel Shell’s Slippery Beast is a fascinating account of a deeply mysterious creature—the eel—a thrilling saga of true crime, natural history, travel, and big business. What is it about eels? Depending on who you ask, they are a pest, a fascination, a threat, a pot of gold. What they are not is predictable. Eels emerged some 200 million years ago, weathered mass extinctions and continental shifts, and were once among the world’s most abundant freshwater fish. But since the 1970s, their numbers have plummeted. Because eels—as unagi—are another thing: delicious. In Slippery Beast, journalist Ellen Ruppel Shell travels in the world of “eel people,” pursuing a burgeoning fascination with this mysterious and highly coveted creature. Despite centuries of study by celebrated thinkers from Aristotle to Leeuwenhoek to a young Sigmund Freud, much about eels remains unknown, including exactly how e

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Book SynopsisThe Fox Book, with its stunning photography and fascinating facts, is a must-have for all fox lovers. Featuring details of the life cycle and the differences between the rural fox and the urban fox. Sections include the fox in art and literature, fox in myth and legend around the world, and the many types of fox found in nature.

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Book SynopsisThis handbook covers the skills needed for gutting, scaling, skinning, steaking, and filleting all popular gamefish, as well as the knives, tools, and other equipment needed, and illustrates basic cooking methods. Cleaning and Preparing Gamefish is a book all anglers will want to keep close at hand and refer to often.

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Book SynopsisAbout seventy-one per cent of the Earth’s surface is water, and even on dry land we remain closely connected to aquatic life. It provides us with oxygen, food, medicine and materials. Wild waterlife infiltrates our lives in many surprising ways. Every other breath we take is filled with oxygen provided by ocean-dwelling microscopic plants. A type of seaweed provides a means to directly test whether people are infected with viruses, including Covid-19. Robotics design takes inspiration from a pike’s ability to accelerate with greater g-force than a Porsche.Wild Waters by Susanne Masters is a celebration of the breadth of wildlife that can be found in and around our varied waterways, from oceans and rivers to rock pools and ponds. Armchair explorers can read a fascinating account of how aquatic plants and animals enrich human life. Swimmers, paddleboarders, dog walkers, families and anyone with a passion for the great outdoors can learn about local wildlife, including when and where to look for different species without causing any harm.With stunning illustrations by Alice Goodridge, Wild Waters provides a tantalising insight into the world beneath the surface.Trade Review‘A deep dive into the aquatic world, Wild Waters is a fascinating guide to where we swim and the wildlife we might encounter there. Part field guide, part natural and human history of our waterways, Wild Waters is engagingly written with a scientist’s eye for detail by Susanne Masters and beautifully illustrated by Alice Goodridge. Full of fascinating facts as well as elegant prose and drawings, Masters shares her knowledge about the wildlife we swim with and the places that we swim in to help you have a deeper connection with the water on your next wild swim. A magical book.’– Jonathan Cowie, editor of Outdoor Swimmer‘Susanne Masters writes for those who love the water and land alike. She paints with words for readers, in the way that the movie My Octopus Teacher brought to life a dynamic and interconnected underwater world for viewers. Her writing combines science, stories, history and delectable moments of watery delight. She will take you on a historical journey with intriguing facts then let you rise to the surface to look at a tiny plant or large animal. When you come up for air, she has shown you how it is all connected. Masters presents, with straightforward words and a nuanced grace, tactical advice for how to interact with organisms in a world different from our own. She takes the reader into watery worlds where one may never get to go, but upon finishing that chapter, will feel like you have been. Reading her work connects you to the water/land interface of ecosystems and the dynamics of water itself through ways of looking at a world that you usually need to get wet to see. Those who engage in water sports, swimming and or diving will all get to go deeper into what they experience. And for those who are simply curious, they will be drawn in as soon as they start to read the first lines of Susanne Masters’ both lyrical and factual way of using words, mingling them together to create an illuminating, thought-provoking and fun experience.’– Dr Maria Fadiman, Professor of Geography at Florida Atlantic University and National Geographic Explorer'In Wild Waters, Masters takes readers on a vividly depicted journey to the British Isles' most treasured aquatic habitats. Gorgeously illustrated and packed with fascinating details about the wild creatures that live in or near the water, this book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys spending time in nature or is drawn to the water!'– Dr Cassandra Quave, Emory University Herbarium Curator and author of The Plant Hunter: A Scientist's Quest for Nature's Next Medicines

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Book SynopsisA showcase of the staggering beauty and variety of seashells, suggesting parallels to art and architecture. Stunningly detailed photos celebrate nature's designs.

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Book SynopsisTake your knowledge of fishes to the next level Fishes of the World, Fifth Edition is the only modern, phylogenetically based classification of the world s fishes.Table of ContentsMEMORIES OF JOE NELSON xxix FOREWORD xxxiii PREFACE xxxvii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS xxxix INTRODUCTION 1 Taxonomic Diversity 3 Importance to People 4 Systematics and Classification 4 Anatomical Terminology 7 Distribution and Biogeography 8 Human Impacts 11 PHYLUM CHORDATA 13 SUBPHYLUM UROCHORDATA (Tunicata: the tunicates) 15 Class ASCIDIACEA (ascidians), 15 Class THALIACEA (salps), 15 Order PYROSOMIDA, 15 Order DOLIOLIDA, 15 Order SALPIDA, 15 Class APPENDICULARIA, 15 SUBPHYLUM CEPHALOCHORDATA (Acrania, in part) 16 Order AMPHIOXIFORMES (lancelets), 16 Family BRANCHIOSTOMATIDAE, 16 Family EPIGONICHTHYIDAE, 16 SUBPHYLUM CRANIATA 18 INFRAPHYLUM MYXINOMORPHI 19 Class MYXINI, 20 Order MYXINIFORMES (1)—hagfishes, 20 Family MYXINIDAE (1)—hagfishes, 20 INFRAPHYLUM VERTEBRATA (vertebrates) 22 SUPERCLASS PETROMYZONTOMORPHI 23 Class PETROMYZONTIDA, 23 Order PETROMYZONTIFORMES (2)—lampreys, 23 Family PETROMYZONTIDAE (2)—northern lampreys, 24 Family GEOTRIIDAE (3)—southern lampreys, 25 Family MORDACIIDAE (4)—southern topeyed lampreys, 26 SUPERCLASS GNATHOSTOMATA (jawed vertebrates) 34 EUGNATHOSTOMATA, 40 GRADE CHONDRICHTHYOMORPHI 40 Class CHONDRICHTHYES—cartilaginous fishes, 40 Superorder HOLOCEPHALIMORPHA, 50 Order CHIMAERIFORMES (3)—chimaeras, 51 Family CALLORHINCHIDAE (5)—plownose chimaeras, 52 Family RHINOCHIMAERIDAE (6)—longnose chimaeras, 52 Family CHIMAERIDAE (7)—shortnose chimaeras or ratfishes, 53 Subclass EUSELACHII (sharks, rays, and related fossils), 53 Infraclass ELASMOBRANCHII, 56 Division SELACHII—sharks, 58 Superorder GALEOMORPHI, 58 Order HETERODONTIFORMES (4)—bullhead sharks, 59 Family HETERODONTIDAE (8)—bullhead sharks, 59 Order ORECTOLOBIFORMES (5)—carpet sharks, 59 Family PARASCYLLIIDAE (9)—collared carpet sharks, 60 Family BRACHAELURIDAE (10)—blind sharks, 60 Family ORECTOLOBIDAE (11)—wobbegongs, 61 Order LAMNIFORMES (6)—mackerel sharks, 63 Order CARCHARHINIFORMES (7)—ground sharks, 68 Superorder SQUALOMORPHI, 73 Series HEXANCHIDA, 73 Order HEXANCHIFORMES (8)—six-gill sharks, 73 Family CHLAMYDOSELACHIDAE (31)—frilled sharks, 74 Family HEXANCHIDAE (32)—cow sharks, 74 Series SQUALIDA, 75 Order SQUALIFORMES (9)—dogfish sharks, 75 Series SQUATINIDA, 78 Order ECHINORHINIFORMES (10)—bramble sharks, 78 Family ECHINORHINIDAE (39)—bramble sharks, 78 Order SQUATINIFORMES (11)—angel sharks, 79 Family SQUATINIDAE (40)—angel sharks, 79 Order PRISTIOPHORIFORMES (12)—saw sharks, 80 Family PRISTIOPHORIDAE (41)—saw sharks, 80 Division BATOMORPHI—rays, 80 Order TORPEDINIFORMES (13)—electric rays, 82 Family TORPEDINIDAE (42)—torpedo electric rays, 82 Family NARCINIDAE (43)—numbfishes, 83 Order RAJIFORMES (14)—skates, 84 Family RAJIDAE (44)—skates, 84 Order PRISTIFORMES (15)—guitarfishes and sawfishes, 85 Order MYLIOBATIFORMES (16)—stingrays, 87 Grade TELEOSTOMI 95 Class OSTEICHTHYES—bony fishes and tetrapods, 101 Subclass SARCOPTERYGII—lobe-finned fishes and tetrapods, 102 Infraclass ACTINISTIA—coelacanths, 103 Order COELACANTHIFORMES (17)—coelacanths, 104 Family LATIMERIIDAE (59)—gombessas or coelacanths, 105 Infraclass ONYCHODONTIDA, 106 Infraclass DIPNOMORPHA, 106 Superorder DIPNOI, 107 Order CERATODONTIFORMES (18)—living lungfishes and their fossil relatives, 108 Family NEOCERATODONTIDAE (60)—Australian lungfishes, 109 Family LEPIDOSIRENIDAE (61)—South American lungfishes, 109 Family PROTOPTERIDAE (62)—African lungfishes, 109 Infraclass TETRAPODA—tetrapods, 111 Subclass ACTINOPTERYGII—ray-finned fishes, 111 Infraclass CLADISTIA, 116 Order POLYPTERIFORMES (19)—bichirs, 116 Family POLYPTERIDAE (63)—bichirs, 117 Infraclass CHONDROSTEI, 118 Order ACIPENSERIFORMES (20)—paddlefishes and sturgeons, 118 Family POLYODONTIDAE (64)—paddlefishes, 118 Family ACIPENSERIDAE (65)—sturgeons, 119 NEOPTERYGII, 121 Infraclass HOLOSTEI (gars, bowfins, and relatives), 121 Division GINGLYMODI, 122 Order LEPISOSTEIFORMES (21)—gars, 122 Family LEPISOSTEIDAE (66)—gars, 123 Division HALECOMORPHI, 124 Order AMIIFORMES (22)—bowfins, 125 Family AMIIDAE (67)—bowfins, 126 Division TELEOSTEOMORPHA, 126 Subdivision TELEOSTEI, 128 Supercohort TELEOCEPHALA—crown-group Teleostei, 132 Cohort ELOPOMORPHA, 133 Order ELOPIFORMES (23)—tenpounders, 135 Family ELOPIDAE (68)—tenpounders (ladyfishes), 135 Family MEGALOPIDAE (69)—tarpons, 135 Order ALBULIFORMES (24)—bonefishes, 136 Family ALBULIDAE (70)—bonefishes, 136 Order NOTACANTHIFORMES (25)—halosaurs and deep-sea spiny eels, 137 Family HALOSAURIDAE (71)—halosaurs, 137 Family NOTACANTHIDAE (72)—deep-sea spiny eels, 138 Order ANGUILLIFORMES (26)—eels, 139 OSTEOGLOSSOCEPHALA, 153 Cohort OSTEOGLOSSOMORPHA, 153 Order HIODONTIFORMES (27)—mooneyes, 155 Family HIODONTIDAE (92)—mooneyes, 155 Order OSTEOGLOSSIFORMES (28)—bonytongues, 155 CLUPEOCEPHALA, 160 Cohort OTOCEPHALA, 161 Superorder CLUPEOMORPHA, 162 Order CLUPEIFORMES (29)—herrings, 164 Superorder ALEPOCEPHALI, 172 Order ALEPOCEPHALIFORMES (30)—slickheads and tubeshoulders, 172 Superorder OSTARIOPHYSI, 174 Series ANOTOPHYSI, 175 Order GONORYNCHIFORMES (31)—milkfishes, 175 Series OTOPHYSI, 179 Subseries Cypriniphysi, 180 Order CYPRINIFORMES (32)—carps, loaches, minnows, and relatives, 180 Family CYPRINIDAE (109)—minnows, carps, and loaches, 181 Subseries Characiphysi, 193 Order CHARACIFORMES (33)—characins, 193 Subseries Siluriphysi, 207 Order SILURIFORMES (34)—catfishes, 207 Order GYMNOTIFORMES (35)—Neotropical knifefishes, 238 Cohort EUTELEOSTEI, 241 Order LEPIDOGALAXIIFORMES (36)—salamanderfishes, 242 Family LEPIDOGALAXIIDAE (186)—salamanderfishes, 242 Superorder PROTACANTHOPTERYGII, 243 Order SALMONIFORMES (37)—trout, salmon, and whitefish, 244 Family SALMONIDAE (187)—trout, salmon, and whitefish, 244 Order ESOCIFORMES (38)—pikes and mudminnows, 248 Family ESOCIDAE (188)—pikes, 249 Family UMBRIDAE (189)—mudminnows, 251 Superorder OSMEROMORPHA, 252 Order ARGENTINIFORMES (39)—marine smelts, 252 Order GALAXIIFORMES (40)—galaxiiforms, 254 Family GALAXIIDAE (194)—galaxiids, 254 Order OSMERIFORMES (41)—freshwater smelts, 256 Order STOMIIFORMES (42)—dragonfishes, 259 Superorder ATELEOPODOMORPHA, 265 Order ATELEOPODIFORMES (43)—jellynose fishes, 265 Family ATELEOPODIDAE (204)—jellynose fishes, 265 Superorder CYCLOSQUAMATA, 266 Order AULOPIFORMES (44)—lizardfishes, 266 Superorder SCOPELOMORPHA, 276 Order MYCTOPHIFORMES (45)—lanternfishes, 276 Family NEOSCOPELIDAE (221)—blackchins, 277 Family MYCTOPHIDAE (222)—lanternfishes, 277 Superorder LAMPRIMORPHA, 280 Order LAMPRIFORMES (46)—opahs, 280 Superorder PARACANTHOPTERYGII, 284 Order POLYMIXIIFORMES (47)—beardfishes, 285 Family POLYMIXIIDAE (229)—beardfishes, 286 Order PERCOPSIFORMES (48)—trout-perches, 287 Family PERCOPSIDAE (230)—trout-perches, 287 Family APHREDODERIDAE (231)—pirate perches, 288 Family AMBLYOPSIDAE (232)—cavefishes, 289 Order ZEIFORMES (49)—dories, 289 Order STYLEPHORIFORMES (50)—tube-eyes or thread-tails, 293 Family STYLEPHORIDAE (239)—tube-eyes or thread-tails, 293 Order GADIFORMES (51)—cods and hakes, 293 Superorder ACANTHOPTERYGII, 302 Series BERYCIDA, 303 Order HOLOCENTRIFORMES (52)—squirrelfishes, 304 Family HOLOCENTRIDAE (253)—squirrelfishes, 304 Order TRACHICHTHYIFORMES (53)—roughies, 305 Order BERYCIFORMES (54)—beryciforms, 308 Series PERCOMORPHA, 314 Subseries Ophidiida, 315 Order OPHIDIIFORMES (55)—cusk-eels, 315 Subseries Batrachoidida, 320 Order BATRACHOIDIFORMES (56)—toadfishes, 320 Family BATRACHOIDIDAE (272)—toadfishes, 321 Subseries Gobiida, 323 Order KURTIFORMES (57)—nurseryfishes and cardinalfishes, 324 Family KURTIDAE (273)—nurseryfishes, 324 Family APOGONIDAE (274)—cardinalfishes, 324 Order GOBIIFORMES (58)—gobies, 326 Subseries Ovalentaria, 333 Order MUGILIFORMES (59)—mullets, 341 Family MUGILIDAE (291)—mullets, 342 Order CICHLIFORMES (60)—cichlids and convict blennies, 342 Family CICHLIDAE (292)—cichlids, 342 Family PHOLIDICHTHYIDAE (293)—convict blenny, 345 Order BLENNIIFORMES (61)—Blennies, 346 Order GOBIESOCIFORMES (62)—clingfishes, 351 Family GOBIESOCIDAE (300)—clingfishes, 352 Order ATHERINIFORMES (63)—silversides, 354 Order BELONIFORMES (64)—needlefishes, 363 Order CYPRINODONTIFORMES (65)—killifishes, 369 Order SYNBRANCHIFORMES (66)—swamp eels, 380 Order CARANGIFORMES (67)—jacks, 383 Order ISTIOPHORIFORMES (68)—barracudas and billfishes, 387 Order ANABANTIFORMES (69)—labyrinth fishes, 390 Order PLEURONECTIFORMES (70)—flatfishes, 395 Order SYNGNATHIFORMES (71)—pipefishes and seahorses, 405 Order ICOSTEIFORMES (72)—ragfishes, 412 Family ICOSTEIDAE (366)—ragfishes, 412 Order CALLIONYMIFORMES (73), 412 Family CALLIONYMIDAE (367)—dragonets, 412 Family DRACONETTIDAE (368)—slope dragonets, 413 Order SCOMBROLABRACIFORMES (74)—longfin escolars, 413 Family SCOMBROLABRACIDAE (369)—longfin escolars, 413 Order SCOMBRIFORMES (75)—mackerels, 414 Order TRACHINIFORMES (76), 421 Order PERCIFORMES (78)—perches, 430 Order SCORPAENIFORMES (79)—mail-cheeked fishes, 467 Order MORONIFORMES (80)—temperate basses, 495 Order ACANTHURIFORMES—(81) surgeonfishes and relatives, 497 Order SPARIFORMES (82)—breams and porgies, 502 Order CAPROIFORMES (83)—boarfishes, 506 Family CAPROIDAE (508)—boarfishes, 507 Order LOPHIIFORMES (84)—anglerfishes, 508 Order TETRAODONTIFORMES (85)—plectognaths, 518 BIBLIOGRAPHY 527 INDEX 651

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Book SynopsisConnecticut Freshwater Fishes is a portable reference guide to 80 native species of freshwater fish that inhabit Connecticut''s lakes and rivers. The illustrated, 12-panel folding guide features a watershed map to which each species is keyed, and provides descriptions of anatomy and distinguishing features. Made in the USA.

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Book Synopsis

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