Zoology: marine and freshwater mammals Books
HarperCollins Publishers How to Speak Whale
Book SynopsisFascinating' Greta ThunbergExtraordinary' Merlin SheldrakeA must-read' New ScientistEnthralling' George MonbiotBrilliant' Philip HoareWildlife filmmaker Tom Mustill had always liked whales. But when one breached onto his kayak, nearly killing him, he became obsessed.This book traces his extraordinary investigation into the deep ocean and the cutting-edge science of animal translation.What would it take to speak with a whale? Are we ready for what they might say?MORE PRAISE FOR HOW TO SPEAK WHALEOne of the most exciting and hopeful books I have read in ages' SY MONTGOMERY, AUTHOR OF THE SOUL OF AN OCTOPUSA narrative that will expand your concept of language and deepen your understanding of the many ways there are to be alive It left me inspired' MERLIN SHELDRAKE, AUTHOR OF ENTANGLED LIFEA must-read a hugely engaging personal story of a journey into the future of human-animal communication facilitated by delving into its past' NEW SCIENTISTFascinating and deeply humane' GRETA THUNBERGATrade Review‘A rich exploration of some of the world's most astonishing creatures … Mustill weaves a narrative that will expand your concept of language and deepen your understanding of the many ways there are to be alive. This is an extraordinary book that left me inspired’ Merlin Sheldrake, author of Entangled Life ‘A must-read… a hugely engaging personal story of a journey into the future of human-animal communication facilitated by delving into its past’ New Scientist ‘[An] extensively researched and energetic book… it is via the informed, far-reaching empathy of intermediaries such as Mustill that we stand our best chance of seeing into the non-human depths’ New Statesman ‘First-class … Reasoned, entertaining, and fact-filled’ Forbes ‘Fascinating and deeply humane’ Greta Thunberg ‘A rich, enthralling, brilliant book that opens our eyes and ears to worlds we can scarcely imagine’George Monbiot, Sunday Times bestselling author of Regenesis ‘Tantalizing … Think how transformative it would be if we could chat with whales about their love lives or their sorrows or their thoughts on the philosophy of language’ Elizabeth Kolbert, New Yorker ‘Mind-blowing … You will never feel closer to the magnificence of whales’Lucy Jones, author of Losing Eden ‘A scary, important and brilliant book … If we do get to translate ‘whale’, will we like what they’ve got to say?’Philip Hoare, author of Leviathan ‘Mustill takes us farther, much farther, than Dr. Dolittle ever imagined’ Carl Safina ‘Riveting … One of the most exciting and hopeful books I have read in ages’ Sy Montgomery, author of The Soul of an Octopus ‘Mustill conveys the richness of whale song and communication’ Frans de Waal ‘Lively and informative’ Jonathan Slaght, author of Owls of the Eastern Ice ‘Extraordinary’ Christiana Figueres
£10.44
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Whales Dolphins and Seals
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 *
£18.70
Amberley Publishing The Book of Quint
Book SynopsisThis novel, the result of extensive research by the author, expands the Jaws universe, and adds crucial backstory that enhances the experience of watching what many still consider to be the greatest movie ever made.Trade Review'This book is a sparkling read of trauma, tragedy, stoic resilience and breathless high adventure. Staying faithful to the film's universe, the author expands the scope of Quint's backstory with great skill, imagination and brio. Perhaps this book's biggest achievement from a pure story perspective (in the same way that James Cameron achieved with Titanic) is in its ability to hold the reader in rapt attention, despite already knowing many of the crucial plot points.' -- Adrian McKenna, author of Eddie Cochran - A Fast Moving Beat Show'You have written a five-star book. The thing that is important to me is where that book fits on the bookshelf. Take a look at any library, this book belongs right next to The Old Man and the Sea, Moby Dick, Jack London's seafaring novels.' -- Marty Milner, Construction Foreman on Jaws (1975)'Offering a meticulous understanding of the character (author Dacko is host of The Jaws Obsession podcast), this (back)story is awash with gripping trauma and tension. It also enriches the original(s) via some valuable, respectful context.' -- Total Film Magazine, Christmas 2023
£15.29
Elsevier Science Atlas of the Anatomy of Dolphins and Whales
Book SynopsisTable of Contents1. List of Species and List of Species Contents2. Skin3. Locomotory System4. Respiratory System and Circulatory System, including Lymphatics Thymus and Spleen5. Head and Sensory Systems6. Nervous System7. Body Control: Endocrine System and Peripheral Nervous System8. Digestive System9. Urinary and Genital System10. Regional Anatomy Including Developmental Anatomy11. References and Further Reading
£106.20
HarperCollins Publishers How to Speak Whale
Book SynopsisFascinating' Greta ThunbergExtraordinary' Merlin SheldrakeA must-read' New ScientistEnthralling' George MonbiotBrilliant' Philip HoareAs a biologist and nature filmmaker, Tom Mustill had always liked whales. But when one landed on his kayak, nearly killing him, the video clip of the event going viral, he became obsessed.This book traces an extraordinary investigation into the deep ocean and today's cutting-edge science. Using underwater ears,' robotic fish, big data and machine intelligence, leading scientists and tech-entrepreneurs across the world are working to turn the fantasy of Dr Dolittle into a reality, upending much of what we know about these mysterious creatures. But what would it mean if we were to make contact? Can we hope to one day understand animals? Are we ready for what they might say?Enormously original and hugely entertaining, How to Speak Whale is an unforgettable look at how close we truly are to communicating with another species and how doing so might change our world beyond recognition.Trade Review‘A rich exploration of some of the world's most astonishing creatures … Mustill weaves a narrative that will expand your concept of language and deepen your understanding of the many ways there are to be alive. This is an extraordinary book that left me inspired’ Merlin Sheldrake, author of Entangled Life ‘A must-read… a hugely engaging personal story of a journey into the future of human-animal communication facilitated by delving into its past’ New Scientist ‘[An] extensively researched and energetic book… it is via the informed, far-reaching empathy of intermediaries such as Mustill that we stand our best chance of seeing into the non-human depths’ New Statesman ‘First-class … Reasoned, entertaining, and fact-filled’ Forbes ‘Fascinating and deeply humane’ Greta Thunberg ‘A rich, enthralling, brilliant book that opens our eyes and ears to worlds we can scarcely imagine’George Monbiot, Sunday Times bestselling author of Regenesis ‘Tantalizing … Think how transformative it would be if we could chat with whales about their love lives or their sorrows or their thoughts on the philosophy of language’ Elizabeth Kolbert, New Yorker ‘Mind-blowing … You will never feel closer to the magnificence of whales’Lucy Jones, author of Losing Eden ‘A scary, important and brilliant book … If we do get to translate ‘whale’, will we like what they’ve got to say?’Philip Hoare, author of Leviathan ‘Mustill takes us farther, much farther, than Dr. Dolittle ever imagined’ Carl Safina ‘Riveting … One of the most exciting and hopeful books I have read in ages’ Sy Montgomery, author of The Soul of an Octopus ‘Mustill conveys the richness of whale song and communication’ Frans de Waal ‘Lively and informative’ Jonathan Slaght, author of Owls of the Eastern Ice ‘Extraordinary’ Christiana Figueres
£18.00
University of California Press The Walking Whales
Book SynopsisTrade Review"There is an immediacy to Thewissen’s writing and an urgency to the excavations, and readers curious about paleontological fieldwork will appreciate the enthusiasm and specificity with which he approaches his subject matter. . . . The whale’s evolution and Thewissen’s contributions to its study are both extraordinary." * Publishers Weekly * "Does a splendid job of showing what it is like to be a palaeontologist. Thewissen's vivid descriptions of fieldwork in Pakistan and India will give readers a clear sense of the joys and frustrations, and the tedium and excitement, that the work entails. . . . Thewissen's book is a perfect introduction to the field." * NewScientist *"The Indiana Jones of biology is an engaging guide in this marine detective story. . . . The Walking Whales is part biological text, part detective story." * Times Higher Education *"Racily recounted adventures . . . Meticulous comparative work." -- Richard Shelton * Times Literary Supplement *"Delightful reading . . . Thewissen's book is a fine account." -- Rob Hardy * The Dispatch *"Mixes memoir, adventure, history, and popular science to tell one of the most fascinating stories to emerge from paleontology in the last quarter century. . . . This is an excellent, accessible summary of a fascinating and fruitful career and a treasure trove of information regarding the first 20 million years of cetacean history that will be used for years to come." -- Michael R. McGowen * Science Direct *"The book alternates between entertaining exploits in the field that reminded me of a gentler version of Indiana Jones and detailed discussions of whale anatomy and evolutionary descent. . . . The author is a good teacher, thorough and with a fine sense of humor." -- Rob Hardy * The Columbus Dispatch *"Thewissen provides an excellent balance between the science and the narrative. . . . an excellent read." -- T. A. Franz-Odendaal * CHOICE *Table of Contents1. A Wasted DigFossils and WarA Whale Ear2. Fish, Mammal, or Dinosaur?The King Lizard of Cape CodBasilosaurid Whales*Basilosaurids and Evolution3. A Whale with LegsThe Black and White HillsA Walking Whale4. Learning to SwimMeeting the Killer WhaleFrom Dog-Paddle to TorpedoAmbulocetid Whales*Ambulocetus and Evolution5. When the Mountains GrewThe High HimalayasKidnapping in the HillsIndian Whales6. Passage to IndiaStranded in DelhiWhales in the DesertA 150-Pound Skull7. A Trip to the BeachThe Outer BanksA Fossilized Coast8. The Otter WhaleThe Whale with No HandsRemingtonocetid Whales*Building a Beast out of Bones9. The Ocean Is a DesertForensic PaleontologyDrinking and PeeingFossilized Drinking BehaviorWalking with Ambulocetus10. The Skeleton PuzzleIf Looks Could KillHow Many Bones Make a Skeleton?Finding Whales’ Sisters11. The River WhalesHearing in WhalesPakicetid Whales*September 11, 200112. Whales Conquer the WorldA Molecular SINEThe Black WhaleProtocetid Whales*Protocetids and History13. From Embryos to EvolutionA Dolphin with Legs The Marine Park at Taiji Shedding Limbs Whaling in Taiji 14. Before Whales The Widow’s Fossils The Ancestors of Whales Indohyus* A Trust for Fossils 15. The Way Forward The Big Question Tooth Development Baleen as Teeth Notes Index *These six headings summarize the biology of the six fossil groups that form the transition between whales and their terrestrial ancestors. Their relationships to each other and to the living families of cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) are given in figure 66.
£21.25
University of Hawai'i Press Across Species and Cultures
Book SynopsisOffers for the first time a critical, wide-ranging geographical and temporal look at the varieties of whale histories in the Pacific. The contributors, from around the Pacific, present a wealth of fascinating stories while breaking new methodological ground in environmental history, women’s history, animal studies, and Indigenous ontologies.
£22.36
Random House USA Inc National Audubon Society Guide to Marine Mammals
Book SynopsisWritten by a team of experts and featuring hundreds of illustrations, photographs, and maps, the most authoritative, up-to-date, and accessible information on marine mammals--perfect for your outdoor excursions or your home library.The National Audubon Society Guide to Marine Mammals of the World describes in fascinating detail all 120 species of the world's whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals and sea lions, manatees, Marine and Sea Otters, and the Polar Bear. Organized by the four major groups of marine mammals—marine fissipeds, pinnipeds, cetaceans, and sirenians—the species descriptions include: Full-color paintings, color photographs showing appearance in the wild and illustrating typical behaviors, life history data, range and habitat text and a full-color range map based on the most current information. Facts about social organization, surface behaviors, swimming, and diving. Information on mating behavior, breeding, and the
£27.55
HarperCollins Publishers How to Speak Whale
Book SynopsisFascinating' Greta ThunbergExtraordinary' Merlin SheldrakeA must-read' New ScientistEnthralling' George MonbiotBrilliant' Philip HoareAs a biologist and nature filmmaker, Tom Mustill had always liked whales. But when one landed on his kayak, nearly killing him, the video clip of the event going viral, he became obsessed.This book traces an extraordinary investigation into the deep ocean and today's cutting-edge science. Using underwater ears,' robotic fish, big data and machine intelligence, leading scientists and tech-entrepreneurs across the world are working to turn the fantasy of Dr Dolittle into a reality, upending much of what we know about these mysterious creatures. But what would it mean if we were to make contact? Can we hope to one day understand animals? Are we ready for what they might say?Enormously original and hugely entertaining, How to Speak Whale is an unforgettable look at how close we truly are to communicating with another species and how doing so might change our world beyond recognition.Trade Review‘A rich exploration of some of the world's most astonishing creatures … Mustill weaves a narrative that will expand your concept of language and deepen your understanding of the many ways there are to be alive. This is an extraordinary book that left me inspired’ Merlin Sheldrake, author of Entangled Life ‘A must-read… a hugely engaging personal story of a journey into the future of human-animal communication facilitated by delving into its past’ New Scientist ‘[An] extensively researched and energetic book… it is via the informed, far-reaching empathy of intermediaries such as Mustill that we stand our best chance of seeing into the non-human depths’ New Statesman ‘First-class … Reasoned, entertaining, and fact-filled’ Forbes ‘Fascinating and deeply humane’ Greta Thunberg ‘A rich, enthralling, brilliant book that opens our eyes and ears to worlds we can scarcely imagine’George Monbiot, Sunday Times bestselling author of Regenesis ‘Tantalizing … Think how transformative it would be if we could chat with whales about their love lives or their sorrows or their thoughts on the philosophy of language’ Elizabeth Kolbert, New Yorker ‘Mind-blowing … You will never feel closer to the magnificence of whales’Lucy Jones, author of Losing Eden ‘A scary, important and brilliant book … If we do get to translate ‘whale’, will we like what they’ve got to say?’Philip Hoare, author of Leviathan ‘Mustill takes us farther, much farther, than Dr. Dolittle ever imagined’ Carl Safina ‘Riveting … One of the most exciting and hopeful books I have read in ages’ Sy Montgomery, author of The Soul of an Octopus ‘Mustill conveys the richness of whale song and communication’ Frans de Waal ‘Lively and informative’ Jonathan Slaght, author of Owls of the Eastern Ice ‘Extraordinary’ Christiana Figueres
£13.49
Elsevier Science Publishing Co Inc Anatomy of Dolphins
Book SynopsisTrade Review"In this exquisite, data-rich volume, the lack of evolu\tionary context is the outstanding omission. The summaries of osteological-soft tissue correlates make this book a prime source of information for paleocetologists." --Ameghiniana "...an excellent guide to dolphin anatomy, with a foray into general physiology and function…an outstanding resource for anyone interested in cetacean biology."--Journal of the American Veterinary Medical AssociationTable of Contents1. Natural history and relationships of dolphins: short history of dolphin anatomical research 2. General appearance and hydrodynamics (including skin anatomy) 3. Locomotion (including osteology and myology) 4. Diving (breathing, respiration and circulatory system) 5. Head and senses (including nervous system, and communication mechanisms) 6. Inner body control 7. Feeding and digestive system 8. Genital systems, reproduction and development 9. Urinary system and water balance 10. Neurobiology and evolution of dolphins
£71.09
Elsevier Science Publishing Co Inc Marine Mammal Ecotoxicology
Book SynopsisTable of ContentsPART 1. Legacy and emerging contaminants in marine mammal populations 1. Organochlorine contaminants and reproductive implication in cetaceans: A case study of the common dolphin 2. Feeding ecology tools to assess contaminant exposure in coastal mammals 3. The toxicological effects of oil exposure on cetaceans 4. Legacy contamination in estuarine dolphin species from the South American coast 5. Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Marine Mammals 6. Marine debris interaction with marine mammals 7. Persistent organic pollutants in cetaceans living in a hotspot area: the Mediterranean sea 8. Pollutants in tropical marine mammals of the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador: An Ecotoxicological Quest to the Last Eden PART 2. Effects of toxicological and cumulative stress on marine mammal health 9. Field sampling techniques and ecotoxicological Biomarkers in cetaceans 10. Ecotoxicological biomarkers and accumulation of contaminants in pinnipeds 11. New technologies for monitoring marine mammal health 12. Immunotoxic effects of environmental pollutants in marine mammals 13. Ecotoxicological stress in Arctic marine mammals - with particular focus on polar bears 14. Toxicological Risks and Considerations Associated with Lipophilic Contaminant Burdens of Mysticetes in Antarctic Ecosystems 15. Emerging pathogens and stress syndromes of cetaceans in European waters: cumulative effects 16. Ecotoxicology of the Sirenia in the Twenty-First Century PART 3. Implication for monitoring and conservation of marine mammals 17. Marine mammals and multiple stressors, implications for conservation and policy
£90.00
The University of Chicago Press Sex Drugs and Sea Slime
Book SynopsisTakes us deep into the sea to introduce an astonishing cast of fascinating and bizarre creatures that make the salty depths their home. This title educates us with the wealth of life in the sea-and reminding us of the need to protect it.Trade Review"The ocean is endlessly fascinating and mysterious. With her easy and engaging writing, Ellen Prager conveys a deeply delightful introduction to all kinds of ocean creatures and their links to society. A great book for beginners and one even experts can learn from and enjoy, this is possibly the best general book ever written on creatures of the deep." -Carl Safina, author of The View From Lazy Point "Prager... uses breezy, accessible prose to evoke the beauty and magic of the underwater world." -Wall Street Journal"
£22.80
The University of Chicago Press Sex Drugs and Sea Slime
Book SynopsisWhen viewed from a quiet beach, the ocean, with its rolling waves and vast expanse, can seem calm, even serene. Written with a diver's love of the ocean, a novelist's skill at storytelling, the author takes us deep into the sea to introduce an astonishing cast of fascinating and bizarre creatures that make the salty depths their home.Trade Review"Packed with excellent conversation fodder for your next date, this book details the strange lives and mating rituals of sea creatures. Choose your anecdotes wisely, though: That romantic seafood dinner may become less appetizing once you explain that lobsters use urine during foreplay, or that male octopi copulate with a 'specialized baby-maker arm." (Sierra Magazine) "A tastefully scandalous tour of defensive secretions and extreme sexual flexibility backs up a plea for ocean conservation." (Science News)"
£17.00
The University of Chicago Press Echolocation in Bats and Dolphins
Book SynopsisAlthough bats and dolphins live in very different environments and are vastly different in size, both groups have evolved similar sonar systems, known as echolocation to locate food and navigate seas and skies. This volume compares each group and indentifies future areas of research.
£180.00
The University of Chicago Press Echolocation in Bats and Dolphins
Book SynopsisAlthough bats and dolphins live in very different environments and are vastly different in size, both groups have evolved similar sonar systems, known as echolocation to locate food and navigate seas and skies. This volume compares each group and indentifies future areas of research.
£52.25
Firefly Books Ltd Orca
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 "
£17.06
Princeton University Press Europes Sea Mammals Including the Azores Madeira
Book SynopsisTrade Review"A brilliant book collection . . . each volume is a colourful, fact-filled introduction to the animals, insects, plants and habitats that makes watching wildlife so fascinating."---Stuart Winter, Sunday Express"[Europe’s Sea Mammals] is a significant reminder that the oceans are full of exquisite creatures, but despite their depth and vastness are no more immune from threats than are terrestrial ecosystems. . . . Buy an extra copy and send it to your Member of Parliament, Congressman or Deputy, to your Prime Minister or to your President."---David M. Gascoigne, Travels with Birds"An essential companion for anyone venturing any distance offshore in European waters. Encounters with frolicking dolphins, studious whales, performing porpoises and curious seals are magical and inspirational. . . . We’re so fortunate to be out there to see them in their environment, and now we can tell others all about it in an informed manner."---Daria Blackwell, Ocean Cruising Club"The visuals are unparalleled, presenting the animals in various states of swimming, diving and feeding, with tips on distinguishing between species. Maps identify where each mammal can be found at different times of the year. Stunning photography makes you want to get out there to see for yourself. . . . Who hasn’t been thrilled at an encounter with these magnificent sea creatures?" * coastalboating.net *"I can see myself using this for many years to come as proved by one of my lecturer’s whole-hearted recommendation that all marine biology students get a copy."---Chelsea Knight, Mammal News"If you want to know all about the whales, dolphins, porpoises and seals around the coast of the UK and beyond then get this. It has everything. . . . Easy to read. . . . Bright, clear, and superbly printed. . . . A very complete guide." * UK Safari *"Europe’s Sea Mammals is the sort of field guide that’s a pleasure to browse through. . . . more than 200 pages rammed with every last iota of information."---Steve Weinman, Diver"An excellent guide for the sea mammals found in this region and . . . a must for anyone interested in locating, identifying and observing this group of mammals in the field."---Rachel Barber, British Trust for Ornithology"A lot of information, all useful, is packed into just two pages! . . . The overall impression is of a well thought out book in terms of both layout and content . . . I am sure that I will consult it regularly."---Clive Herbert, London Naturalist"Full of images of fins, tails (flukes) and blow forms for the Cetacea, supported by diagrams, written descriptions and tips on where and how to find them. . . . the care and detail put into this title is difficult to surpass."---Pat Sang, The Biologist"This is a visually stunning book . . . . For those with an interest in mammals this guide will be very informative and will certainly enhance the experience of mammal watching."---Geoff O’Brien, International Journal of Environment Studies"This book is a great guide for tour guides and whale watchers . . . . It contains accurate and well-organized information, is illustrated with cutting-edge photographs, maps, and graphics." * Conservation Biology *
£19.80
Princeton University Press Handbook of Whales Dolphins and Porpoises of the
Book Synopsis
£27.00
Princeton University Press Sharks of the World
Book SynopsisTrade Review"This book should be on every shark-lover’s wish list, whether you are a budding marine biologist or a shark-mad diver. Sharks of the World will inspire you to increase your knowledge about sharks; it will boost your passion and commitment to conserve sharks and their marine habitats; and perhaps, like me, it will encourage you to spend even more time in the water with them to understand them and enjoy them."---Nick and Caroline Robertson-Brown, Scubaverse"The attention to detail, the thoroughness of coverage, the simplicity and wonder of the illustrations, all add up to a remarkable labour of love. It is an awful irony that, as our knowledge of these wonderful creatures has grown, so has our capacity to destroy them. However, as this book so carefully explains that growth in knowledge is also the means by which we can, hopefully, save them. All those involved in producing such an authoritative compendium should be proud of this impressive contribution to the understanding of sharks and the contribution it will have to their conservation."---Max James, DIVE Magazine"[An] excellent reference book, providing everything that shark enthusiasts need to properly identify their favorite fish and new ones that they catch, too. There is a lot to learn, and the 607 ages of this book willdefinitely educate you!"---Tom Berg, The Blade"This is an outstanding, monumental study of these diverse, intriguing, and captivating fish, enhanced by the standard of the artwork."---Doug Herdson, Marine Biologist"A massively impressive work. . . . The essential illustrated guide for the shark enthusiast."---Daria Blackwell, Flying Fish"Stunning and a much-needed resource on these much maligned and beautiful creatures."---Roy Stewart, British Naturalists Association"While the comprehensive scope of this book will appeal mostly to fishery scientists and conservationists, it indispensable to any shark enthusiast wishing to learn more about sharks and to gain a worldwide perspective on this fascinating and ancient group of fish."---Myles O’Reilly, Glasgow Naturalist
£42.50
University Press of Kansas The Great Sperm Whale A Natural History of the
Book SynopsisTrade ReviewRichard Ellis is a prolific and graceful writer who’s written some of the best natural history books of the past decade.""- New York Times Book Review;""Ellis is fun to read, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic.""- Washington Post Book World;""Ellis’s great book on the great sperm whale is encyclopedic, compelling, and quite simply very difficult to put down.""- The Quarterly Review of Biology;""Ellis’s engaging book is the most definitive account to date of this fascinating and iconic species.""- American Scientist;""A remarkable book which cleverly and unsentimentally combines scientific and historical material in a way which will be of great interest to whale enthusiasts. As an entertainingly written review of the sperm whale literature, it is something of a triumph . . . The portrait of the sperm whale that emerges is of a truly amazing example of mammalian evolution.""- Times Literary Supplement;""A noted whale artist explores the natural history of the sperm whale, to spectacular effect. . . . A principle joy of The Great Sperm Whale is its wonderful illustrations. But he also evokes the leviathan in all its guises—scientific, literary, and legendary—from the history of whaling to the sperm whale’s great adversary, the giant squid.""- BBC Wildlife;""A rich exploration of the evolution and biology of this giant sea creature.""- Science News;""At once a richly detailed, informative, scientific exploration as well as a love sonnet to the ocean's greatest leviathan, this will appeal to fans of nautical history, nature, Melville, and armchair cetologists. A superb addition to Ellis’s canon.""- Library Journal;""The most mysterious of all mammals is richly chronicled in this mesmerizing voyage that includes battles with whaleboats and giant squid. Ellis’s rigorous scientific insights are matched only by his eloquent plea for this magnificent creature’s future.""- Dick Russell, author of Eye of the Whale
£36.51
McFarland & Company Great White Sharks in United States Museums
Book SynopsisA guide to great white shark specimens preserved in the museums and aquariums of the United States that catalogs 160 great white shark items in 26 institutions. It also includes a general introduction describing the biology, ethology and ecology of the great white shark and detailed accounts of the various preservation methods.
£27.54
Johns Hopkins University Press Marine Mammal Research Conservation beyond Crisis
Book SynopsisThis comprehensive resource will be indispensable for marine mammal biologists, oceanographers, conservation program managers, government regulators, policy makers, and anyone who is concerned about the future of these captivating species.Trade ReviewShould appeal to a wide variety of libraries and readers... interested in marine biology and conservation of those captivating animals. Choice 2006 A thoughtfully written and edited compendium... it deserves to be on the shelf of every serious marine mammalogist researcher, and should become well-thumbed. Aquatic Mammalogy 2006 The book superbly covers some of the most important conservation issues of marine mammals. -- Bernd Wursig Quarterly Review of Biology 2006 An essential book for marine mammal researchers, oceanographers, regulators, and anyone called to help in the effort to save marine mammals from extinction. Southeastern Naturalist 2006 A very valuable compendium of state-of-the-art scientific knowledge... A must in the bibliographic luggage of anyone concerned with marine mammal conservation, regardless of nationality or region of concern. -- Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara Fins 2008Table of ContentsPreface1. The Paradox of Marine Mammal Science and Conservation2. Bycatch and Depredation3. Indirect Fishery Interactions4. The Role of Infectious Disease in Influencing Status and Trends5. Assessing Impacts of Environmental Contaminants6. Effects of Harmful Algal Blooms7. Impacts of Anthropogenic Sound8. Assessing and Managing Marine Mammal Habitat in the United States9. Long-Term Environmental Change and Marine Mammals10. Identifying Units to Conserve11. Adapting Regulatory Protection to Cope with Future Change12. Future Directions in Marine mammal ResearchLiterature CitedContributorsIndex
£50.50
Alison Hodge Seal Secrets Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
Book Synopsis
£10.74
Crabtree Publishing Co,Canada Dolphins Crabapples Crabapples S
Book Synopsis
£7.59
MP-OSU Oregon State Universi Touching This Leviathan
Book SynopsisAsks how we might come to know the unknowable - in this case, whales, these animals so large yet so elusive, revealing just a sliver of back, a glimpse of a fluke, or, if you're lucky, a split-second breach before diving away.
£16.96
International Polar Institute Press Narwhal
Book SynopsisNarwhal tells the story of the whale that has captured the imagination of the world for centuriesit truly reveals an Arctic legend
£31.35
John Wiley and Sons Ltd Cetacean Paleobiology
Book SynopsisCetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) have fascinated and bewildered humans throughout history. Their mammalian affinities have been long recognized, but exactly which group of terrestrial mammals they descend from has, until recently, remained in the dark.Table of ContentsSeries Editor’s Preface vii Preface viii Acknowledgments x 1 Cetaceans, Past and Present 1 1.1 Introduction and scope of the book 1 1.2 What is a whale? 2 1.3 Diversity, distribution, and ecology of modern cetaceans 3 1.4 How to study extinct cetaceans 5 1.4.1 Comparative and functional anatomy 5 1.4.2 Evolutionary relationships 6 1.4.3 Habitat and feeding preferences 9 1.4.4 Macroevolutionary dynamics 11 1.4.5 Other methodologies 13 1.5 Suggested readings 13 References 13 2 Cetacean Fossil Record 19 2.1 A history of exploration 19 2.2 Strengths and weaknesses of the cetacean fossil record 23 2.2.1 Preservation potential 23 2.2.2 Biases affecting fossil recovery 24 2.2.3 Outlook 27 2.3 Major fossil localities 28 2.3.1 Tethys 28 2.3.2 North Atlantic 30 2.3.3 South Atlantic 32 2.3.4 North Pacific 32 2.3.5 South Pacific 33 2.3.6 Dredge sites: South Africa and Iberia 35 2.4 Suggested Readings 35 References 35 3 Morphology 44 3.1 Overview 44 3.2 The skull 46 3.2.1 Rostrum and central facial region 46 3.2.2 Forehead, skull vertex, and posterior cranium 50 3.2.3 Temporal fossa and basicranium 54 3.2.4 Periotic 56 3.2.5 Tympanic bulla 63 3.2.6 Auditory ossicles 64 3.2.7 Dentition 65 3.2.8 Mandible 66 3.2.9 Hyoid apparatus 67 3.3 The postcranial skeleton 68 3.3.1 Vertebral column and rib cage 68 3.3.2 Forelimb 70 3.3.3 Hind limb 73 3.4 Osteological correlates of soft tissue anatomy 74 3.4.1 Musculature 74 3.4.2 Baleen 79 3.4.3 Air sinus system, air sacs and fat pads 79 3.4.4 Brain anatomy and cranial nerves 80 3.4.5 Sensory organs 84 3.4.6 Flukes 86 3.5 Suggested readings 87 References 87 4 Phylogeny and Taxonomy 95 4.1 Cetacean origins 95 4.2 The earliest whales: archaeocetes 97 4.2.1 Pakicetids, ambulocetids, and remingtonocetids 97 4.2.2 Protocetidae and basal Pelagiceti 99 4.3 Filter‐feeding whales: Mysticeti 102 4.3.1 Toothed mysticetes 103 4.3.2 Toothless mysticetes 106 4.4 Echolocating whales: Odontoceti 114 4.4.1 Stem odontocetes 115 4.4.2 Potential crown odontocetes 119 4.4.3 Basal crown odontocetes 122 4.4.4 Delphinida 130 4.4.5 Crown Delphinoidea 136 4.5 Consensus, conflicts, and diversification dates 141 4.5.1 High‐level conflicts and possible solutions 141 4.5.2 Divergence dates 142 4.6 Suggested readings 145 References 145 5 Major Steps in the Evolution of Cetaceans 157 5.1 From land to sea: the last steps 157 5.1.1 Initial forays into the water 157 5.1.2 Transition to marine environments 162 5.1.3 Divorce from land 169 5.2 Key innovations: baleen and echolocation 171 5.2.1 Baleen 171 5.2.2 Echolocation 174 5.3 Invasion of freshwater habitats 176 5.4 Key fossils 180 5.4.1 Archaeocetes 180 5.4.2 Mysticeti 183 5.4.3 Odontoceti 186 5.5 Suggested readings 189 References 189 6 Fossil Evidence of Cetacean Biology 198 6.1 Feeding strategies 198 6.1.1 Archaeocetes 198 6.1.2 Mysticeti 203 6.1.3 Odontoceti 211 6.2 Cetaceans as a source of food 217 6.2.1 Active predation 217 6.2.2 Whale falls 218 6.3 Reproduction 220 6.4 Migration 222 6.5 Sexual dimorphism 222 6.6 Diving 225 6.7 Ontogenetic age 227 6.8 Suggested readings 228 References 229 7 Macroevolutionary Patterns 239 7.1 Patterns in cetacean diversity: radiations and extinctions 239 7.1.1 Paleogene 240 7.1.2 Neogene 242 7.2 Major turnover events 246 7.2.1 Archaeocetes to neocetes 247 7.2.2 Decline of toothed mysticetes 249 7.2.3 Delphinoids and platanistoids—ships passing in the night? 249 7.2.4 Establishment of the modern fauna 250 7.3 Disparity and evolutionary rates 251 7.4 Body size 251 7.5 Brain size 257 7.5.1 Trends 257 7.5.2 Potential causes 259 7.6 Paleobiogeography 260 7.6.1 Initial dispersal from land 261 7.6.2 Neoceti 261 7.7 Convergent evolution 264 7.8 Suggested readings 268 References 269 8 Paleontological Insights into Evolution and Development 277 8.1 Limb morphology and development 277 8.1.1 Forelimb 277 8.1.2 Hind limb 281 8.2 Regionalization of the vertebral column 284 8.3 The origins of homodonty, polydonty, and monophyodonty 286 8.3.1 Archaeocetes 286 8.3.2 Neoceti 288 8.4 Heterochrony: aged youngsters, juvenile adults 291 8.5 Suggested readings 296 References 296 9 Living Cetaceans in an Evolutionary Context 302 9.1 A modern view of cetacean evolution 302 9.2 Cetacea—quo vadis? 304 References 304 Index 307
£42.26
Johns Hopkins University Press Florida Manatees
Book SynopsisManatees, the gentle giants of Florida's lagoons and coastal habitats, can bring a smile to the face of anybody lucky enough to spy one. As manatees dip and roll through the water, crowds gather to watch them feed on aquatic vegetation. Whether they are congregating by the hundreds or resting or feeding alone, viewing these sea cows can provide anyone interested in nature with hours of tranquil pleasure. Having survived for eons, today's manatees are now under constant threat due to our rapidly swelling human population. Their habitats are often devastated by development and pollution. The slow-moving manatees also live at the mercy of chance, for they occupy waters filled with fast-moving boats powered by razor-sharp propellers-a new form of predator from which they have no protection. Boat speed limits have been put in place to protect manatees, but there is a constant push to lift them so that people can once again zip across the waters that manatees call home. For this reason, manTrade ReviewThe result is a lovely book that sounds as though it would appeal primarily to scientists, but which offers inviting color photos and history that make it accessible to lay audiences both within Florida and outside the state.—Donovan's Literary ServicesPerusal of the numerous photographs located throughout the book is an enjoyable pastime. However, to do so, to treat this simply as a coffee-table book, would be a mistake; the photographs are striking and attractive, but the text relays interesting information about manatees and their management, an aspect of the book that should not be ignored.—ChoiceWith its large format and high-quality paper, allowing Wayne Lynch’s gorgeous images to shine, one could be forgiven for assuming this was a mere coffee table book – but that would be to do the excellent text a disservice.—BBC WildlifeIf the image on the cover does not entice the reader, a look at page 50 surely will: it shows a manatee hugging a human diver. The book focuses on the beauty, grace and vulnerability of these herbivores, but it also covers other sea mammals and their habitats.—The BiologistThis book makes a valuable contribution to awareness of manatees and will be of interest to curious nature lovers, natural science students, and young scientists taking their first steps on their scientific career path.—Irina S. Trukhanova, Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington, Polar Science Center, Seattle, WA, Conservation BiologyThis book is an indispensable resource for anyone desiring a general overview of the species as well as a future reference on protection measures for the group. Easily digestible for nonspecialists, this book is an excellent way to gain an accurate and updated picture of the current status of a charismatic species, the Florida manatee.—Jorge Ortega and Rafael Juarez-Maldonado, Journal of MammalogyTable of Contents1. From a Bluff on Guadeloupe2. A Hodge-Podge of Adaptations3. Evolution4. The Stuff of Myths and Legends5. Behavior and Ecology6. Reproduction and Life History7. Habitat Protection8. Conservation Threats9. Conservation SolutionsEpilogueSelected References and Further ReadingIndex
£29.70
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Field Guide to Whales Dolphins and Porpoises
Book SynopsisPractical and portable, this is the ultimate field guide to the world''s cetaceans.This outstanding new field guide to whales, dolphins and porpoises is the most comprehensive, authoritative and up-to-date guide to these popular mammals. With more than 500 accurate and detailed illustrations complete with detailed annotations pointing out the most significant field marks this new field guide covers all 93 species and every subspecies in the world.Many of the world''s most respected whale biologists have collaborated on the concise text, which is packed with helpful identification tips from cetacean expert, Mark Carwardine. Mark''s informative text is accompanied by up-to-date distribution maps for each species. Beautifully designed, to ensure critical information is quickly accessible, this is an indispensable resource that every whale-watcher will want to carry out to sea.Table of ContentsHow to use this book The challenges of identification Cetacean topography Quick ID guides Right and bowhead whales Pygmy right whale Grey whale Rorquals Sperm whales Narwhal and beluga Beaked whales Blackfish Shorter-beaked oceanic dolphins Longer-beaked oceanic dolphins River dolphins Porpoises Caring for whales, dolphins and porpoises Glossary Species checklist Sources and resources Artists' biographies Image credits Acknowledgements Index
£17.60
Harbour Publishing Operation Orca: Springer, Luna and the Struggle
Book Synopsis
£19.99
Island Press Vaquita: Science, Politics, and Crime in the Sea
Book SynopsisIn 2006, vaquita, a diminutive porpoise making its home in the Upper Gulf of California, inherited the dubious title of world’s most endangered marine mammal. Nicknamed “panda of the sea” for its small size and beguiling facial markings, vaquita have been in decline for decades, dying by the hundreds in gillnets intended for the commercially valuable fish, totoaba. When international crime cartels discovered a lucrative trade in the swim bladders of totoaba, illegal gillnetting went rampant, and now the lives of the few remaining vaquita hang in the balance. Author Brooke Bessesen takes us on a journey to Mexico’s Upper Gulf region to uncover the story. She interviewed townspeople, fishermen, politicians, scientists, and activists, teasing apart a complex story filled with villains and heroes, a story whose outcome is unclear. When diplomatic and political efforts to save the little porpoise failed, Bessesen traveled with a team of veterinary experts in a binational effort to capture the remaining ten vaquita and breed them in captivity—the only hope for their survival. In this fast-paced, soul-searing tale, she learned that there are no easy answers when extinction is profitable. Whether the rescue attempt succeeds or fails, the world must ask itself hard questions. When vaquita and the totoaba are gone, the black market will turn to the next vulnerable species. What will we do then?Table of ContentsTable of Contents Foreword Goodbye Baiji Prologue Chapter 1: The Dead Girl Chapter 2: Resource Extraction Chapter 3: Chasing a Myth Chapter 4: Tangled Agendas Chapter 5: Death, Drugs, and Accountability Chapter 6: Pirates on Patrol Chapter 7: Searching for Vaquita Chapter 8: Hearing Is Believing Chapter 9: Science in the Sea Chapter 10: Witnessing Extinction Chapter 11: Saving Bigfoot Chapter 12: Sending Out an SOS Chapter 13: Meet the Totoaba Chapter 14: Last-Ditch Effort Chapter 15: Hope Is a Life Raft (with a persistent leak) Epilogue Author Note Guide to Acronyms Acknowledgements Notes Selected Bibliography Index
£25.20
NewSouth Publishing The Secret Life of Whales
Book SynopsisMarine biologist Micheline Jenner discovered humpback breeding grounds off the Kimberley coast, has swum through orange golfball-sized pygmy blue whale poo to uncover a feeding spot, and is one of very few people to witness a humpback whale giving birth.In The Secret Life of Whales she reveals the unknown world of these giants of the deep and shares insights from her work with humpback, blue and pygmy blue whales, taking us from Australia to Antarctica and beyond.Enlightening and eye-opening, The Secret Life of Whales reveals fascinating information about how whales live, tapping into Jenner’s world-leading research and infectious enthusiasm for these magnificent creatures.Sales Points Micheline Jenner is the real deal in whale experts – a scientist with a passion for whales who has devoted twenty years to her research. Micheline’s infectious enthusiasm for whales will delight readers and media alike. A full media campaign is planned. Micheline has a great story – she lives onboard the boat Whale Song with her husband and they have raised two children on the high seas The book is truly informative – it shares Micheline and Curt’s world-leading research including uncovering humpback whale breeding grounds off the Kimberley coast.
£15.26
Arcler Education Inc Marine Mammal Biology: An Evolutionary Approach
Book SynopsisTaking an integrated approach to the biology of marine mammals; this book provides a general introduction to the biology of marine mammals, and an overview of the adaptations that have permitted mammals to succeed in the marine environment. It contains information for the interested beach dweller or student and for the scientist or marine resource manager, exploring the essential aspects of what makes marine mammals physiologically ""different"" from terrestrial mammals in regard to life in the sea.
£131.20
Penguin Random House South Africa Marine Mammals: A Guide to the Whales, Dolphins
Book SynopsisThe latest in the popular ‘Quick ID Guide’ series, this compact little book is an easy-to-use identification guide to the whales, dolphins and seals found in southern African waters and the Southern Ocean. Close to 50 species occur here: from the demonstrative Humpback Whale and Dusky Dolphin to the striking Leopard Seal and massive Blue Whale. This title introduces the key identification features, behaviours, diets and distribution of whales, dolphins and seals; explains breaching, bow-surfing, lob-tailing and other common behaviours; features detailed illustrations of each species’ diagnostic characteristics; includes the diving outlines as well as breathing ‘blow’ and tail shapes of common whales on inside covers for quick reference. Sales points: Quick and easy ID guide by highly regarded authors; packed with full-colour photos and labelled illustrations; handy pocket format at excellent price point.
£10.78
BookLife Publishing Tiger Shark
Book SynopsisDiscover the fascinating underwater world of sharks in the Shark Files. The tiger shark is known for eating just about anything it can find. Discover more interesting facts about the tiger shark inside.
£5.99
BookLife Publishing Whale Shark
Book SynopsisDiscover the fascinating underwater world of sharks in the Shark Files. The whale shark is the largest fish in the ocean. Discover more interesting facts about this amazing creature inside.
£5.99
BookLife Publishing Underwater Facts
Book SynopsisThis book is extremely full of facts. Extreme facts. Totally Extreme Underwater Facts. What is the deepest part of the ocean? What is the biggest treasure discovered underwater? Grab your diving gear and prepare for some Totally Extreme Underwater Facts!
£5.99
Atoll Editions Fishes of the Maldives: Indian Ocean
This book uses an innovative concept to allow easy retrieval and identification of species. It includes a systematic classification and detailed description for each fish and describes points of interest and differences between similar species. Updated with corrections 2018.
£37.05
Te Papa Press Whales and Dolphins of Aotearoa New Zealand
Book SynopsisFor centuries whales have captured our imaginations and ignited our emotions. We have revered and mythologised them, hunted them to the brink of extinction and passionately protected them. But how much do we really know about whales? This all-new book draws on the hugely popular, internationally touring Te Papa exhibition Whales: Tohorā (a.k.a. Whales: Giants of the Deep). From the first richly illustrated, entertaining chapter, readers are immersed in the salty sea to explore whales' amazing diveristy, biology and adaption to life in the oceans. Throughout the book, literally hundreds of breath-taking photographs, historical pictures, astonishing facts and figures and informative illustrations and diagrams bring the whale world to life. Here, too, are stories from people whose lives have been inextricably linked with whales - from legendary South Pacific whale riders to international whale scientists to conservationists to former whalers and their families. Whales Tohorā uses a powerful combination of storytelling, science, and culture to reveal the fascinating world of whales and their relationships with humans, now and into the future.Trade ReviewThe most beautiful book that has come across my desk in years' Graham Beattie's review on Jim Mora, Radio New Zealand
£29.24
Scribe Publications Fathoms: the world in the whale
Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE ANDREW CARNEGIE MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE IN NONFICTION WINNER OF THE NIB LITERARY AWARD FINALIST FOR THE KIRKUS PRIZE FOR NONFICTION HIGHLY COMMENDED IN THE WAINWRIGHT PRIZE FOR WRITING ON GLOBAL CONSERVATION A SUNDAY INDEPENDENT BOOK OF THE YEAR ‘There is a kind of hauntedness in wild animals today: a spectre related to environmental change … Our fear is that the unseen spirits that move in them are ours. Once more, animals are a moral force.’ When Rebecca Giggs encountered a humpback whale stranded on her local beach in Australia, she began to wonder how the lives of whales might shed light on the condition of our seas. How do whales experience environmental change? Has our connection to these fabled animals been transformed by technology? What future awaits us, and them? And what does it mean to write about nature in the midst of an ecological crisis? In Fathoms: the world in the whale, Giggs blends natural history, philosophy, and science to explore these questions with clarity and hope. In lively, inventive prose, she introduces us to whales so rare they have never been named; she tells us of the astonishing variety found in whale sounds, and 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. In the spirit of Rachel Carson and John Berger, Fathoms is a work of profound insight and wonder. It marks the arrival of an essential new voice in narrative nonfiction and provides us with a powerful, surprising, and compelling view of some of the most urgent issues of our time.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 is brilliantly full of wonder.’ * The Economist *‘Masterly.’ * The New Yorker *‘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 *‘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 *‘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 *‘Beautiful and insightful.’ -- Pádraic Fogarty * Sunday Independent *‘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 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'An incredibly wonderful book ... [Giggs] is a fabulous writer' -- Brian Eno‘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 *‘Glorious and astounding.’ -- Robbie Arnott‘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‘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 *‘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 News *‘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 *‘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 *‘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 *‘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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