The Ocean at Home: An Illustrated History of the Aquarium - Hardcover

Brunner, Bernd

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1568985029 ISBN 13: 9781568985022

Publisher: Princeton Architectural Press, 2005

Synopsis

The mysterious world beneath the ocean's surface has captivated man for centuries—the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and ancient Chinese all kept fish in their homes for purposes other than the culinary. But it was not until the nineteenth-century invention of the aquarium that the deep was truly domesticated, offering the curiously inclined a chance to invent their very own exotic sea world within their own walls.

In this fascinating history of the aquarium, Bernd Brunner traces the development of this most wonderful invention, giving insight into the cultural and social circumstances that accompanied its swift rise in popularity. Brunner tells a compelling story of obsession, beauty, discovery, and delight, from the aquarium's humble origins as a tool for scientific observation to the Victorian era's elaborately decorated containers of oceanic curiosity, to the great public aquaria of the twentieth century.

About this title

About the Author

Bernd Brunner is a Berlin-based writer. A graduate of the Free University Berlin, he has written extensively for television and various print media.

Review

...Brunner does plenty to arouse interest and appreciation of this history in his well-paced and surprisingly pleasing book. -- Seattle Times, September 4, 2005

...fascinating and beautifully illustrated...The Ocean Home is a fun and educational read. -- E - The Environmental Magazine, Mar-Apr 2006

A charming book. -- PopMatters, June 22, 2005

A fascinating book...Among the author's observations are some forgotten or little-known facts. -- San Francisco Chronicle, Nov 12, 2005

A most attractively produced little book. -- International Zoo News, December 2005

An elegant nostalgic take on this most serene of hobbies. -- Style Manitoba Magazine, Autumn 2005

Can't afford that scuba-diving holiday? Console yourself by gazing at the aquariums in this charming, and charmingly illustrated book. -- The Globe and Mail, December 31, 2005

Chock-full of interesting stuff. -- PetFishTalk, September 21, 2005

Elegant. -- The New York Times, March 23, 2006

Fascinating. Engaging, well researched. -- San Francisco Chronicle, November 12, 2005

About this edition

• Publisher: Princeton Architectural Press
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 1568985029
• ISBN 13: 9781568985022
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 144