Sea-Beans from the Tropics: A Collector's Guide to Sea-Beans and Other Tropical Drift on Atlantic Shores [Hardcover]

John V. Dennis (Author, Editor), Edward L. Perry (Author, Editor), Cathie Katz (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2003 | ISBN-10: 1575241811 | ISBN-13: 978-1575241814

Atlantic Coast beaches offer a variety of souvenirs and curiosities to those beachgoers that care to look. Shells have long been treasured finds, and their descriptions are well documented in a variety of books and guides. But what about the other things found on the beach? These are the things that drift in the ocean and are carried in with the winds: sea-beans, spirula, mermaid's purses, and other tropical treasures. This book references them in a convenient form for the beachcomber, while keeping the oceanographer and botanist in mind. Interesting descriptions of each sea-bean species, or other drift treasure, and 175 color photographs make this book a valuable collector's guide. Perry and Dennis provide the results of a 30-year study on sea-bean flotation tests. No other book combines personal experience, use of color photography identifications, and the scientific field of botany into a complete, friendly user's guide for identifying sea-beans and other drift from the sea.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 217 pages
• Publisher: Krieger Pub Co (September 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1575241811
• ISBN-13: 978-1575241814
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #596,503 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to use, interesting to read, beautiful to look at., December 2, 2008

By 

David McRee "BeachHunter" (St. Petersburg, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sea-Beans from the Tropics: A Collector's Guide to Sea-Beans and Other Tropical Drift on Atlantic Shores (Hardcover)

I've had the pleasure of meeting Ed Perry, and his knowledge of sea-beans and nature is astounding and generously shared. This book is perfect for anyone with an interest in Atlantic shore drift seeds. Actually, I live on the Gulf of Mexico and find it very useful here too.

The book is 217 pages. The first 66 pages contain the following brief, but highly informative chapters:

The History of Sea-Beans and Early Uses

The Role of Ocean Currents

Renewed Interest [in sea-beans]in the US and Abroad

Research Currently Underway

Growing and Polishing Sea-Beans

Other Current-Borne Drift from the Tropics

Sea Turtles and Sea-Beans

Making a Collection

Pages 67 thru 192 contain the catalog of sea-beans with color photographs, identifying descriptions, and other information on 68 major varieties of sea-beans along with their many variations.

The book includes an alphabetical list by family name and by common name, as well as a glossary of terms, a bibliography, and a very useful index. It is a must-have in the library of any Atlantic or Gulf of Mexico shoreline beachcomber.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book for beaners, October 19, 2008

By 

mattfocus (Cental Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sea-Beans from the Tropics: A Collector's Guide to Sea-Beans and Other Tropical Drift on Atlantic Shores (Hardcover)

This is the "go to" book for for identifying sea-beans. I have it tabbed for quick reference. Not only does it have all the information about the sea-beans and drift nuts I've found, but also the history, folklore and how to make, clean and store my collection. A valuable resource and a great book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sea Bean Bible, July 26, 2007

By 

S. Bernstein - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sea-Beans from the Tropics: A Collector's Guide to Sea-Beans and Other Tropical Drift on Atlantic Shores (Hardcover)

I love this book. It is a fantastic resource, complete with color photos. An absolutely essential book to have if you live by the sea. You will be able to identify the cool beans you find along the shore with this book. I have learned a tremendous amount about drift seeds from reading this book. Highly recommended. Enjoy & Happy Beaning! :)