Publisher: National Geographic (November 16, 2021)
Hardcover: 512 pages
Publisher's Blurb:
Discover the world’s ocean–from tides and currents to the creatures living in it to the impact it has on our lives, whether we know it or not–in this richly illustrated overview of the life force that defines and sustains our planet, written by world-renowned oceanographer Sylvia Earle.
Everything you want to know about the ocean can be found inside these beautiful and dynamic pages. National Geographic Ocean unveils the power and significance of our planet’s watery essence: the fundamental importance of the ocean in shaping Earth’s climate and chemistry as well as its vital role in supporting a multitude of life-forms, including our own human race.
World-renowned oceanographer and National Geographic Explorer in Residence Sylvia Earle–affectionately called “Her Deepness”–guides readers with her lyrical style and inspiring wisdom, describing the evolution, beauty, and impact of our ocean; the challenges it faces, such as climate change, plastic, and overfishing; and the myriad ways we can help protect it.
This engaging story of the ocean celebrates dozens of ocean champions and visionaries, explores the ocean’s origin and the nature of water, and features a gallery of wondrous creatures that illustrate the spectacular diversity of life in the sea, from sponges, kelp, and zooplankton to whales, sharks, and sea turtles. More than 100 maps and diagrams, including seafloor and political maps of all Earth’s seas and oceans, elucidate Dr. Earle’s lively narrative.
For seaside dwellers and landlubbers alike, this is a book you will turn to again and again to understand why, as Sylvia Earle says, “Everyone, everywhere is inextricably connected to and utterly dependent upon the existence of the sea.”
Dive deeper into ocean discovery with more National Geographic favorites:
- Into the Deep
- The Nature of Nature
- 100 Dives of a Lifetime
- Secrets of the Whales
- Pristine Seas
- Shark
My Review:
Living on an island, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, I am constantly amazed and awed at its power and its beauty. Ocean: A Global Odyssey, captures the essence of the world's oceans in all of their glory. It is giant, over 500 pages and filled with stunning photos (It is National Geographic of course) and interesting information. The book is divided into four sections: Part 1; The Living Ocean, which covers its origins as well as answers questions such as "Where the Water Came From and Why is the Sea Salty? and covers its movement in The Nature of Waves and Really Big Waves. Part 2 is Life in the Ocean, with the details about many of the creatures that call the ocean and its shore their home. Part 3: Our Lives and the Ocean focuses on exploration and conservation, including the impact of the climate, humans and global warming on our seas. Finally Part 4: Atlas of the Ocean, maps out the different oceans and seas that surround us.
Author Sylvia A. Earle's expertise and passion for the ocean comes across in every word and although the book delves deeply into science, she keeps the writing engaging and accessible. I have been slowly working my way through this giant book and plan to keep it nearby to curl up with and explore. If you are still shopping for the holidays, Ocean: A Global Odyssey would be a perfect gift for any ocean lovers and water babies on your list.
A few of the many beautiful photos in this book:
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Author Notes: Long recognized as one of the world's top experts on ocean science and conservation, Sylvia Earle is the president and chairman of Mission Blue/The Sylvia Earle Alliance and a National Geographic Explorer at Large. Called "Her Deepness" by The New Yorker and the New York Times, a "Living Legend" by the Library of Congress, and a "First Hero for the Planet" by Time magazine, she is an oceanographer, explorer, author, and field scientist. In 1970, told she could not join a crew of men testing an undersea habitat, she was asked to lead an all-female crew, and they lived underwater for weeks, pioneering deep-sea ventures. Since then, she has continued to cross boundaries, always passionately advocating on behalf of Earth's ocean.
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Note: A review copy of Ocean: A Global Odyssey was provided to me by the author and the publisher via TLC Book Tours. I was not compensated for this review and as always, my thoughts and opinions are my own.
You can see the stops for the rest of this TLC Book Tour and what other reviewers thought about the book here.
You mention living on an island surrounded by the sea -- I have loved visiting Hawaii, and enjoy your blog. I wondered if you are reading the articles about strange global weather that have appeared in a number of online news sources -- really implying that "Blizzard Warnings" in Hawaii are a sign of terrible disruptions. Well they would be alarming if they affected more than the summit of a couple of volcanos! Just wanted to share my amusement at the ignorance of the press!
ReplyDeletebest... mae at maefood.blogspot.com