Ocean: The Definitive Visual Guide

Explore the last wilderness left on Earth. From mangrove swamp to ocean floor, mollusc to manatee, Atlantic Conveyer to Hurricane Katrina, unravel the mysteries of the sea. Marvel at the oceans' power and importance to our planet - as the birthplace of life on Earth, a crucial element of our climate, and as a vital but increasingly fragile resource for humans. You will discover every aspect - from the geology of the sea floor and the interaction between the ocean's and atmosphere - to the extraordinary diversity of marine life. Dive in for an awe-inspiring view of a world few of us have experienced. A beautiful visual essay celebrates the drama of the sea, while stunning illustrations and the latest satellite-derived maps explain and illuminate each natural process and phenomena. It includes an inspiring introduction by Fabien Cousteau, grandson of Jacques. Dramatic, thought-provoking, and revealing, "Ocean" shines a bright and revealing spotlight into the depths of the last wilderness on our planet.

Too often we take for granted the ways oceans enrich our lives. Thankfully, this magnificent volume encourages eyes, mind, and spirit to attend more closely to this fragile otherworld. Opening with a minicourse in oceanography, covering circulation, climate, tides, and waves, the authors continue with details of ocean environments, from coasts and seashores to shallow seas, the open ocean, and polar waters. They also similarly describe the richly varied forms of underwater life, from bacteria to mammals, all the while exploring the earth history lesson embodied in the ocean's geography. Crafted by devoted scientists and visual artists, Ocean offers page after page of stunning images and vital information about the very heartbeat of planet Earth. Pamela Crossland
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