Water covers more than 70 percent of the Earth but three quarters of our oceans’ depths have never been explored by humans. This stunning book takes readers on a deep dive through the different depth zones—from the shoreline and surface, via the sunlight zone, the twilight and midnight zones, and into the abyss—to chart the richness and diversity of life in our seas.
Each chapter, centered on a different depth zone, begins with a comprehensive introduction, before exploring fifteen to twenty-five visual themes, from the smallest living things to the largest and from the familiar to the unknown. A final chapter on the oceans and us reveals the visual history of human interaction with the deep blue, from discovery and mapping to current issues of the environment and preservation.
Ocean features stunning photography throughout—from microscopic images of tiny creatures to corals of every hue and the abstract patterns of fish scales—shown alongside a wide range of stunning archival illustrations and specially commissioned infographics that convey complex data in a simple and elegant way.
Exploring a huge range of themes, creatures, and plants from around the world, Ocean draws crucial attention to the importance of life in our seas and the need to preserve it.
Reviews
Ocean is a captivating journey through the depths of our oceans. From tiny creatures to mesmerizing coral patterns, this book celebrates the beauty and complexity of our marine ecosystems.
— Amitav Ghosh, award-winning writer of "The Shadow Lines," the Ibis trilogy, and "The Great Derangement"
A dazzling book, at once playful and informative, visually stunning, and constantly surprising.
— Elizabeth Kolbert, author of Pulitzer Prize-winner and New York Times bestseller "The Sixth Extinction"
An extraordinary visual and informational exploration of oceans… The text is filled with intriguing trivia…paired with more than 400 illustrations, including dazzling color photographs, vintage prints, and creative infographics. Readers will be wowed.
— Publishers Weekly
Contributors
Asha de Vos
Author
Asha de Vos is an award-winning marine biologist, ocean educator, and pioneer of long-term blue whale research.
Peter Godfrey-Smith
Foreword By
Peter Godfrey-Smith is a philosophy professor at the University of Sydney and author of the 2016 bestseller Other Minds: The Octopus, the Sea, and the Deep Origins of Consciousness.
Anthony J. Martin
Contributions By
Anthony J. Martin is a professor of practice at Emory University.
Rebecca Helm
Contributions By
Rebecca Helm is a marine biologist and assistant professor of environmental science at Georgetown University.
Helen Scales
Contributions By
Helen Scales is a marine biologist, author, and broadcaster.
Andrew Thaler
Contributions By
Andrew Thaler is a deep-sea ecologist and founder of Blackbeard Biologic.
