Sea turtles are among the planet's most ancient inhabitants, arising during the Triassic period some 220 million years ago and not changing much since. As they spend their lives at sea, only coming ashore to nest, much of what has been learned about the physiology and behavior of sea turtles has been discovered fairly recently with the advent of modern scientific equipment. Spotila, a longtime sea turtle researcher, distills what is known about these mysterious ocean wanderers into this beautifully illustrated new treatise. He writes with an informative and chatty narrative flow, covering his research and that of other scientists in chapters on the biology, evolution, life cycle, and conservation of sea turtles. Each of the seven species, ranging from the well-known green turtle to the mysterious flatback, receives its own chapter detailing diet, behavior, range, and nesting beaches. Sidebars throughout the text go into more detail on techniques such as radio-tagging turtles. The author is eloquent in his appeal for the conservation of sea turtles. The best single book on the subject.
Nancy BentCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
In this comprehensive guide, [Spotila] treats in detail the seven species: green turtles, hawksbills, olive ridleys, Kemp's ridleys, loggerheads, flatbacks, and leatherbacks. Each chapter includes tables of data on where the species is found, population estimates of colonies, and, in some cases, a chronology of conservation efforts... Spotila, fittingly, offers vignettes of conservation projects that provide human interest... Spotila's book is recommended for high school, university, and research-level libraries.
(
Library Journal 2005)
Such enthusiasm is infectious... The accessible text is beautifully illustrated with numerous color photographs. The lay readers will be captivated. The book's review of what scientists know about these charismatic but woefully endangered creatures is substantial enough to interest biologists and conservationists as well.
(Roger Harris
American Scientist 2005)
Each species gets a chapter with sumptuous photographs, and short personal profiles pay homage to those spearheading conservation efforts.
(
New Scientist 2005)
Sea Turtles is spellbinding, articulate, indispensible and, with its many full-color photos, taken by the world's leading underwater photographers, astonishing.
(
Spirit of Aloha 2005)
The author is both a leading authority on sea turtles and a talented writer; his passion for the subject is on every page.
(
Choice 2006)
An evocative portrait of the seven species and their valiant fight for survival.
(
Compendium Newsletter 2006)
This is a great book.
(
Wildlife Activist 2005)
Clearly written and well-illustrated book... provides a helpful primer for nonscientists.
(Larry Evans
Charlotte Herald-Tribune 2004)
It is this mixture of scientific expertise and outright human awe that makes this book such a treasure... A trove of information, a collection of spectacular photos, and an ode to a creature that somehow, years after its birth, is able to navigate back to the precise beach where it was born to lay its own eggs.
(
Philadelphia Inquirer 2005)
Bottom line: This book is worthy of centerpiece placement on any coffee table. But Sea Turtles' loftier goal make it more than just another pretty picture book.
(Mary Beth Regan
Baltimore Sun 2005)
Sea Turtles capitalizes on the depth of James Spotila's experience in field and political environments as well as his evident passion for conservation, [producing] an equally compelling, modern book. Readers of all stripes will be captivated by the outstanding photography and entertained by the stories... A wonderful entrée into the exciting world of sea turtles for the uninitiated and a delightful repast for everyone. His eloquent words are inspiring, and his hopeful message deserves to be heard.
(Fredric J. Janzen
Science 2006)
This lavishly produced book is filled with numerous excellent photographs, as well as beautiful schematics of anatomy and distribution maps. But this is much more than a coffee-table book: it deserves space on the academic's bookshelf.
(Graeme C. Hays
Nature 2006)
Open this new, beautifully produced book and you'll find yourself hopelessly caught up in the life of sea turtles.
(
Post Register 2008)
This is simply a great book: lucid, literate, and lavishly illustrated.
(Tony Tucker
Aquatic Mammals 2011)
This volume hits the sweet spot between a hard science manual and a mere coffee table book.
(Michael Stachowitsch
Marine Ecology )
A worldwide study into what is causing the decrease in sea turtles throughout the world. Going beyond just what is causing it, though, [Spotila] carefully explicates why the decline is so important to all living things.
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Black Sheep Dances )
