Sealife: A Complete Guide to the Marine Environment [Hardcover]

Geoffrey Waller (Author), Marc Dando (Author), Michael Burchett (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1560986336 | ISBN-13: 978-1560986331 | Publication Date: September 17, 1996

Brimming with illustrations and descriptions of more than six hundred species, SeaLife is the most comprehensive reference available in a single volume to the vast panorama of vertebrate and invertebrate creatures inhabiting the world's oceans and shores. Topics covered include oceanography and marine biology; biology of marine environments; marine invertebrates; marine fishes; marine reptiles; seabirds; whales, dolphins and porpoises; dugong and manatees; seals, sea lions and walrus; and marine otters and polar bears. With 56 color plates, 1,000 black-and-white illustrations, 75 maps and an extensive reference section, this book is an essential companion for all marine enthusiasts.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Edited by a research fellow at the University of London, this comprehensive treatise on marine biology is written for the nonscientist with a serious interest in the subject and could also serve as a college text. Introductory sections summarize oceanographic voyages and explorations, the origin of life in the sea, the physical and chemical nature of the oceans, and water movement and ocean circulation. A description of marine ecological zones and animal distribution among them precedes detailed chapters on marine vertebrates and invertebrates, marine reptiles, seabirds, cetaceans, and polar bears. While line drawings and color plates (not seen) are profuse, there is much more text in relation to illustrative material than in Boyce Thorne Miller's Living Ocean (LJ 2/15/91). A reference section gives directions on observing, recording, and sampling. Maps show the geographical distribution of selected marine organisms, and a list of roots, prefixes, and suffixes encountered in biological terms is a unique feature.) A useful reference source for academic and public libraries. (Index not seen.)?Judith Barnett, Pell Marine Science Lib., Univ. of Rhode Island, Kingston
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

“Very occasionally there comes to a reviewer a book as comprehensive in its range, as encyclopedic in its detail, as soundly based on scientific research and as profusely illustrated as SeaLife.”—Seafarer

“Edited by a research fellow at the University of London, this comprehensive treatise on marine biology is written for the nonscientist with a serious interest in the subject and could also serve as a college text. Introductory sections summarize oceanographic voyages and explorations, the origin of life in the sea, the physical and chemical nature of the oceans, and water movement and ocean circulation. A description of marine ecological zones and animal distribution among them precedes detailed chapters on marine vertebrates and invertebrates, marine reptiles, seabirds, cetaceans, and polar bears. . . . A useful reference source for academic and public libraries.”—Library Journal

Product Details

• Hardcover: 504 pages
• Publisher: Smithsonian Books (September 17, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1560986336
• ISBN-13: 978-1560986331
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 1.4 x 9.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #640,264 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #63 in Books > Science & Math > Nature & Ecology > Lakes & Ponds

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent guide to the marine world, March 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Sealife: A Complete Guide to the Marine Environment (Hardcover)

A "must have" for both armchair and amateur naturalists with a keen interest in the marine world. I'm a scuba diver who lives in the Pacific Northwest but takes vacations around the world. The joy of this book is that it begins with the beginning--the origination of the oceans, including a bit of tectonic theory--and progresses to a detailed description of many of the genera in the oceanic realm. It's not a detailed guide to my particular corner of the world, but as a general guide to the world's oceans it can't be beat for both it's breadth and depth. This is a beginner's book with some real 'meat' to it! I highly recommend it.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Introductory Text, June 29, 2000

By 

John J. Chiment - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sealife: A Complete Guide to the Marine Environment (Hardcover)

While not intended primarily as a textbook, I have used SeaLife as the text in my introductory oceanography class for the past two years. The authors present their ideas clearly and the illustrations are well done. An adequate index is furnished.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best guide for the marine environment!, September 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Sealife: A Complete Guide to the Marine Environment (Hardcover)

although not a "complete" guide, a wonderful book for every sea-loving creature! wonderful pictures and informative text for every amateure or pregraduate student