National Geographic (April 5, 2022)
Hardcover : 256 pages
From the Publisher:
In this mesmerizing book of photography, acclaimed photographer David Liittschwager reveals the unnerving beauty of three notoriously mysterious sea creatures--the jellyfish, octopus, and seahorse--and how they perceive the world.
The jellyfish, the octopus, and the seahorse are among the most wondrous species on Earth--as well as some of the most difficult to document using traditional photography methods. Enter celebrated photographer David Liittschwager, who has spent decades developing specialized portraiture techniques to capture these creatures’ pulsating bioluminescence, translucent bodies, and ethereal movements.
This luminous collection showcases 200 of Liittschwager’s most revealing photographs, paired with penetrating essays that explain how a creature without a brain or without bones perceives the world. Bestselling science writers Elizabeth Kolbert, Jennifer Holland, and Olivia Judson explain the biology and advanced cognitive abilities of these spineless denizens of the deep, exquisitely evoking their unnerving yet undeniable charisma. In these pages, you’ll glimpse a seahorse only half an inch tall, a moon jelly spinning off a snowflake-shaped clone, and the blinking comb jelly, which may be the most ancient living animal on Earth.
Both enlightening and profound, this enchanting book documents the expanding frontiers of marine science, creating a powerful testament to the value and beauty of these little-seen--and endangered--species.
My Review:
Octopus, Seahorse, Jellyfish is one big beautiful book of fascinating and gorgeous color photos of three of the most wondrous of the deep sea denizens. Although the photos rule this book, there are some interesting essays and facts given about each creature. Seahorses have always been a favorite of mine and the many pictures--including one pot-bellied seahorse giving birth, had me pouring over that section. But more recently, I have become a fan of the octopus, being amazed by their intelligence and grace. And, as scary as the box jellyfish that swim the shores here after a full moon are to me, you cannot deny how incredible and beautiful they are even lacking brains and bones. I've included some pictures from the book below, but trust me, if you are a lover of the ocean ad it's creatures, you need a copy of this book for your coffee table, library or bookshelves--it's as relaxing and fulfilling to look at as watching an aquarium.
Author Notes: DAVID LIITTSCHWAGER, the Richard Avedon of obscure but beautiful creatures, has shot more than a dozen assignments for National Geographic, primarily specializing in portraiture of natural history subjects. He has published or contributed to six books as well as Scientific American, Audubon, and other magazines. Liittschwager's photography has been exhibited at major museums including at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City and the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, D.C. He lives in San Francisco. Instagram: @davidliittschwager.
JENNIFER HOLLAND is a senior science writer for National Geographic magazine and a New York Times best-selling author of the Unlikely Friendships books.
OLIVIA JUDSON is an evolutionary biologist and author of the bestseller Dr. Tatiana's Sex Advice to All Creation.
Some Photos From the Book:
Note: A review copy of "Octopus, Seahorse, Jellyfish" 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.
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