Out of the Blue: A Journey Through the World's Oceans

A visually stunning celebration of the rich variety of ocean life, with 180 color photographs.

Seen from space, the earth is blue. That luminous blueness is water -- the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Arctic, and Antarctic oceans. Seventy percent of what we call "earth" is under water. Life began in the ocean, and the ocean still plays a vital role in our lives and the earth's ecosystem. More than half the world's population lives within a few miles of the sea; we're drawn to it to swim, surf, sail, or simply gaze out across the waves. The ocean itself teems with life, from the coldest, ice-bound poles to the warmest tropical seas, from the surface to the deepest trenches where no light penetrates. Out of the Blue is a celebration of the rich variety of ocean life. Stunning color photographs and engaging, informative text capture the astonishing diversity of marine life, from the tiniest plants and plankton to the awe-inspiring Giant Squid and the blue whale, the largest animal ever to have lived. Out of the Blue looks at the drifters, the minute creatures that are the ocean's life source and the first link in the marine food chain. It describes the migration of turtles and whales, and the living structures of coral reefs and atolls. It shows us fish, marine mammals, and the secret lives of creatures who live in the deepest and darkest part of the ocean. It reveals unusual ecosystems such as sea mounts and the Sargasso Sea. And it considers the consequences of human activity -- including climate change and pollution -- on the life of the sea. Throughout, it emphasizes how the different elements within the oceans interact.

Paul Horsman is an environmental consultant, marine biologist, and writer who has spent years researching and lecturing on marine ecological issues.