Customer Reviews

The Oceans

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The humble sea cucumber has a novel defense when attacked by a predator. It summons up its strength, and shoots all of its internal organs out its, uh, rear end directly into the face of its assailant. The dazed, disgusted fish, covered with a mucky mess, wanders off looking elsewhere for its lunch. Amazingly the sea cucumber has the ability to then regenerate all of its internal organs.

This book generally covers the same topics found in an introductory text of Oceanography. Oriented toward the general reader it skips the math, the chemical formulas, and other aspects of hard science that might frighten away the non-scientist. The first section takes one through the ocean's development from the Precambrian era to the present time. We then study the composition of the ocean, its currents and climate. After reading about tsunamis you will understand why the science in the movie The Poseidon Adventure was, um, all wet. In the ocean geology section, plate tectonics are discussed, and we read an interesting discourse on how Hawaii developed as a chain of small islands.

The largest section of the book deals with the ocean's biology. What is its best-designed fish (the tuna)? Why are fish able to drink salt water while we humans cannot tolerate it? When we say that a certain fish lives to a certain age how do we know that? We study its ears - read the book for the details.

The material presented was so fascinating that I often became frustrated. I found myself crying out, "Don't stop now; tell me more about that." When the author mentions that the Portuguese Man-Of-War was actually a colony of various organisms, I wanted to know more about how this could be. But, as usual, I was led off to another interesting topic. Another trivial complaint: while the book has some pictures and drawings, I frequently wished there were more of them. In the "news you can use" category I think she should have spent some time discussing formation and destruction of beaches (suggested reading on this topic: Against The Tide by Cornelia Dean).

I like to read science books, but I become increasingly depressed about some of what I read in those dedicated to the biological and earth sciences. Almost every author spends some time discussing the damage we humans are causing to the environment. Ellen Prager will have you close to tears when she tells you how we are destroying our marine environment.

This book flows to the reader with the pleasure of a good novel; yet, it delivers more information than most textbooks. I am a television producer by trade and enjoy a good story well told. I was on a cruise ship this last weekend and looked upon the sea with new understanding and fascination. Information is better retained when logically delivered. This has become a favorite on my bookshelf and now I am purchasing it as gifts for friends. My thanks to the authors.

This text gives a good overview of the various scientific disciplines that collectively make up oceanography and technical discussions are kept at a level that won't overwhelm science-phobes but will keep the interest of those more familiar with chemistry, geology, physics, and biology.

On the down side, the text is somewhat dry and the author seems a little reluctant to inject much of her personality into the book. Those that don't care for the more cutesy pop-sci writers like Gould might find this a relief, but the prose seems more appropriate for a text book than for a popular overview. That said, the book is still highly readable and enjoyable, and is recommended.

I enjoyed this book because Dr. Prager makes it so easily understood by the lay naturalist or reader for that matter. UI have been lucky to have the best to study with including JMC, Scott Frier, Tom Ordway, and Chris Newbert. I give lectures to intermediate students adn this book gave me a better understanding of the oceans bottom and topography. It's an interesting book and will draw the reader into the ocean and keep them there, in fascination of the evidence. I enjoyed it and hope that you do too.

"The Oceans" creates a rich background for reading other books dealing with the subjects discused in the book. Comprehensible charts aid in understanding the concepts. Anyone interested in the oceans should read this book, although, the last chapter dealing with ocean deterioration is quite sad. Prager writes elequently and clearly and overall one of my favorite books about the oceans.

Although this is an enjoyable read the book is absolutely riddled with unacceptable mistakes. Carbon dioxide once dissolved in the sea forms the carbonate ion which combines with calcium (not carbonate) to form calcium carbonate (p.12). P.67- the cape of good hope is at the tip of AFrica not South AMerica. And lastly (I have only read to page 80!) the positive charge of the water molecule is on the hydrogen not oxygen (negative on oxygen), and the hydrogens in water don't bind to one another-like charges repel each other , not attract. The hydrogens (+) bind to the oxygens (-) to adjacent molecules!!!!!!!!!! Ugh!!!!!!!!

I enjoyed this book because Dr. Prager makes it so easily understood by the lay naturalist or reader for that matter. I have been lucky to have the best to study with including JMC, Scott Frier, Tom Ordway, and Chris Newbert. I give lectures to intermediate students adn this book gave me a better understanding of the oceans bottom and topography. It's an interesting book and will draw the reader into the ocean and keep them there, in fascination of the evidence. I enjoyed it and hope that you do too.

This book is a window to the history and current status of our oceans. It affords an exciting and sometimes humorous insight into marine science. While it is for the average person, it speaks with the language of science. It is understandable and enjoyable for all who are concerned about our world. Most importantly, it should be read by all who can influence public policy to protect and preserve the earth's most important asset, " The Oceans". Hopefully it will be "The Silent Spring" for the seas.

I bought about 5 books at the same time and this is the 3rd book that I have read. It is full of lots of information but I am finding it a little slow to read. Kind of text book reading. None the less full of useful information regarding the Ocean from the beginning of time! I think it is a good building block for someone like myself trying to delve into the Science of the Ocean.

I have already written a review. I think I may have been sort of mean. Now that I have read the entire book I feel like I should write a new review. I did enjoy the book. The mistakes I refered to in my previous review did not continue throughout the book. I read it to my son at night and he enjoyed it. Overall it was a pretty decent read. So, I've changed my mind.