ECO contributor Elise Poore has created a ‘must-read’ guide of ocean and marine life books.
Below is a collection of inspiring stories from those who have seen firsthand the many wonders the marine environment offers. These books provide thought-provoking ideas and amazing anecdotes of ground-breaking science and our connection to the world’s oceans.
Deep by James Nestor
James Nestor describes the dangers of free diving within the book, Deep, blending science and nature to deliver an engaging read. While on an assignment to cover the Worlds Freediving Championship, Nester is awed by these swimmers that competitively dive with a single breath to see how deep they can reach. The divers are capable of diving hundreds of feet without the breathing equipment used commonly by scuba divers. Instantly amazed, Nestor sets out to discover more from these underwater athletes and diving pioneers. The book chapters follow a downward trajectory as if descending deeper and deeper into the ocean.
This book describes the science of the human body at such significant pressures in relation to our lungs and amphibious reflexes, commonly known as the diving reflex. Throughout his journey, he unveils scientific discoveries made by these free divers involving the echolocation of whales.
Buy here: Amazon
The Essential Guide to Beachcombing and the Strandline by Julie Hatcher and Steve Trewhella
One of the best ways to inspire is through activity, especially for children and families. There is nothing more inspiring than searching for creatures first-hand on your doorstep. The popular guide from Julie Hatcher and Steve Trewhella gives a richly detailed and illustrated guide to the findings on British beaches.
Marine biologist Julie Hatcher and marine life photographer Steve Trewhella are both avid gatherers that enjoy beachcombing the coastal habitat. The habitat on UK shores is an ever-changing environment that is often overlooked. As well as the more common findings on beaches, including egg cases, seaweeds, and shells, this guide goes even further and provides information on vertebrate/invertebrate remains, marine litter, and the coast. The Essential Guide to Beachcombing and the Strandline is a popular and much-loved book by committed hunter-gatherers.
Buy here: Amazon
The Empty Ocean by Richard Ellis
This next ocean book tells a chilling and thought-provoking story of the condition of the world’s ocean due to overfishing and exploitation. The Empty Ocean shines a light on the historical use of the ocean, with detailed accounts of fishing, hunting, and the collection of marine life.
Richard Ellis gives a frightening and evocative depiction of overfishing throughout the centuries which has led to the inevitable loss of populations in the world’s oceans today, with unsettling stories of the tragic loss and extinction of countless species. Still relevant today, he shares realistic aims and alternatives that can help the recovery of oceans and a more positive outlook to give a glimpse of hope to the reader.
This book will “forever change the way you think about the ocean, about yourself, and about the future we share with the sea” – Sylvia Earle, Explorer in Residence, National Geographic.
Buy here: Amazon
Spirals in Time by Helen Scales
Spiral In Time dives into the story of Mollusks while captivating the audience with ground-breaking science to provide hours of enjoyment. Scales begins by recalling the well-known family trips to the beach as a young child, along with her fascination when finding countless shells of different colors, shapes and sizes. She explains the history and lives of shells underneath the novelty.
Humans' use of shells dates back hundreds of years. They were used as ritual objects and jewelry compared to the present day, where they are also involved in drugs and medicine. From the formation to utilization, this book gives “a rewarding glimpse of another world” and a heavy introduction to the Phylum, Mollusca, the creators. Helen Scales briefly describes the rising impact of ocean acidification on these sculpted homes but ultimately aims to uncover the unfamed history to reconnect this attachment to nature.
Buy here: Amazon
The Soul of An Octopus by Sy Montgomery
The Soul of An Octopus delves into the consciousness of Octopuses with an emotional and light-hearted view. Sy Montgomery shares what only can be described as a love story with octopuses at the Boston Aquarium. She deeply describes the bond she shared with these intelligent and complex creatures, which made her curious about the mind of these animals. This book follows a purely enjoyable story of these octopuses and their way of thinking, including solving problems, memory and even instances of stealing food. Do not expect hard-hitting science from this book, but a story into the insight of behavior exhibiting personality and intelligence, touching on the empathetic side of the reader by somehow humanizing these animals in her writing.
Buy here: Amazon
Other Minds by Peter Godfrey Smith
Philosopher and scuba-diver Peter Godfrey Smith gives a thought-provoking and bold story of the nature of consciousness with reference to cephalopods. Compared to The Soul of An Octopus, the topic of consciousness is brought from a strong evolutionary standpoint. This tracks the developmental journey of the nervous systems that has led to the intelligent animals they have become, and compares this to humans from a deeply philosophical viewpoint. Throughout the book, the anecdotes end in realization and it definitely has a lasting impression on the reader that sparks different thoughts.
Buy here: Amazon
