Oceans: Exploring the Hidden Depths of the Underwater World

Oceans: Exploring the Hidden Depths of the Underwater World

The oceans are the single most important feature of our planet. They shape our climate, our culture, and our future. Yet their depths have remained a mysterious and unchartered expanse. This book, which accompanies a major BBC television series, draws on the most exciting stories from the fields of subaquatic archaeology, geology, marine biology, and anthropology to reveal an astonishing landscape of forgotten shipwrecks, submerged volcanoes, and hidden caves. For Oceans, explorer Paul Rose and his team of expert divers filmed fluorescence in Red Sea corals for the very first time and explored the undisturbed waters of the Black Hole off the Bahamas. They witnessed rarely seen behavior in sperm whales in the Sea of Cortez and discovered a potentially unknown species below the arctic ice pack. Undertaking thrilling and often dangerous dives, Rose and his team reveal the importance of the oceans to human existence―and at the same time trace the possible consequences of climate change on their delicate balance. Beautifully illustrated with more than 160 color photographs, Oceans unravels the mysteries of the deep and provides illuminating insights into this vast undersea domain. "It is my sincere hope that this work will make more urgent the chorus of voices crying out to save the oceans."―From the foreword, by Philippe Cousteau Copub: BBC As reflected in the number of companion books being published (e.g., Deborah Cramer's Smithsonian Ocean ), the world's oceans appear to be a hot topic for television specials and museum galleries. This latest volume accompanies a series recently broadcast by the BBC (which will likely be seen on U.S. television in the near future), and it has a twist. Instead of basic oceanography, this title examines "anthropological oceanography," the impact of humankind and the oceans upon each other; one member of the dive/production team is even a maritime archaeologist. The emphasis here is on the team's experiences, rather than on the science in which they might be engaged, as they explore their filming locations in each of seven oceans and seas of the world. The light tone and lack of a bibliography and further reading suggestions don't recommend this for academic libraries, but abundant beautiful photographs and extensive, well-written text will make this a good addition to public libraries (willing to deal with its large size, 29 × 23 cm) where there is interest in diving or the oceans.—Margaret Rioux, MBL/WHOI Lib., Woods Hole Oceanographic Inst., MA Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Geologist Wohl writes clearly and with appreciation about the western landscape’s rock formations and canyons, while her references to the region’s literary and historic canon are equally relevant. From Willa Cather and John Wesley Powell to Arizona territorial historian Sharlot Hall, Wohl reaches back for early thoughts on the West and weaves them into her own observations and discoveries. Modern writers are not ignored, nor are modern problems as she notes the impact of damming on the Colorado River, frequency of fires and droughts, and the hazards of snowmaking on nearby streams. Wohl’s vast study of both the physical nature of Colorado and the historic and geologic record of the land weighs equally the thoughts of those who came before with the scientific findings of those active in the field today. She defies the notion of “pristine wilderness,” dismissing it as myth from its earliest incarnations. With respect and expertise, Wohl aims toward achieving sustainability in the West, something that has not been tried since Europeans first discovered its riches so long ago. --Colleen Mondor “[A] remarkable journey.” -- Thomas Iliffe ― Qtly Review Of Biology Published On: 2011-06-29 “Explorer Paul Rose and his team of expert divers delved into this extraordinary netherworld . . . . With more than 1,000 dives.” ― Wildlife Conservation Magazine Published On: 2009-05-01 ”Abundant beautiful photographs and extensive, well-written text.” ― Library Journal Published On: 2009-04-01 ”Full of exciting stories of wildlife, shipwrecks, and the wonder and beauty of the undersea realm.” ― Booklist Published On: 2009-04-01 Paul Rose, expedition leader and copresenter of the BBC television series Oceans, is a professional diver, polar guide, and mountaineer. He was the base commander of the British Antarctic Survey and ran the U.S. Navy's diver training program. Rose has presented several other BBC television series, including Voyages of Discovery, Climate Change, and Take One Museum. Anne Laking 's programs have won a number of awards. She was executive producer of the Horizon documentary The Mystery of the Persian Mummy, as well as the BBC Four science series Time, Light Fantastic, and Visions of the Future. She is the executive producer of Oceans .