Customer Reviews

Shark Attacks of the Twentieth Century: From the Pacific Coast of North America

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This is without a doubt the best shark attack book I have ever read. The book documents 108 attacks on humans and 17 attacks on other objects (boats, traps, dogs, etc). Each attack is described in a detailed, scientific manner. When possible, the sea conditions and weather conditions at the time of attack are included. Most descriptions are 1-3 pages long. The book ends with an analysis and discussion section (40 total pages long) with all of the attack data summarized in highly-readable graphs and charts.

In addition to the detailed attacks descriptions (which are excellent), the book possesses two features which make it stand head and shoulders above all others. First, the location of each attack is precisely indicated on high resolution NOAA charts. This allows you to determine, almost to the exact foot, where each attack took place. Second, the book contains numerous color photographs of attack sites and some very rare pictures of attack victims. For instance there is a photograph of Albert Kogler and Shirley O'Neill on the beach after the attack on Kogler; I have never see this picture before despite reading literally every shark attack book I could find. The attack site photographs are particularly helpful because no amount of description can really explain what a site looks like. Seeing it for yourself brings it to life.

I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in sharks or shark attacks. I also recommend it to marine biologists and divers who can use the included maps to avoid areas with a track record of shark attacks.

Homer wrote in the Iliad, " There can be no covenant between lions and men." The same can be said about the relationship between man and shark.

Ralph Collier, one of the foremost White Shark experts in the world, documents each reported shark attack in the last 100 years on the Pacific Coast of the USA in his book "Shark Attacks of the 20th Century."

Anyone who has ever put as much as their little toe in the Pacific Ocean will find this book an interesting read. The victims include swimmers, surfers, divers, dogs and inanimate objects.

I have surfed many of the breaks between San Diego and Humboldt, and found my heart racing whenever a familiar spot was involved in a shark attack.

The book is full of statistics. Some are the location of attack, water and weather conditions, marine life being present or not, but the most impressive fact is the shear courage of the victim and, if involved, the rescuers. The overwhelming percentage of attacks involved the Great White and the fact that anyone could survive a physical confrontation with one of these animals is still hard to imagine.

If at all able, the victims would fight with the shark while in it's jaws using what ever might be handy, an abalone rod, clinched fist or surfboard. Then, they would swim or be helped by a friend to safety. Once they were taken care of medically within days or months they would return to the ocean.

Another interesting statistic is that 38 percent of the shark attacks were at isolated locations. This fact is enough to validate the wary feeling some people get every time they enter the ocean.

Cash McConnell

Founder and Inventor

Sharkcamo.com

"Shark Attacks of the Twentieth Century" is a must own for shark fanatics! If you have any interest in sharks or are just fascinated by shark attacks, this book is for you.

Collier hooks you from the first page to the last, in this incredible account of Pacific Coast shark attacks. Each attack is seperated into it's own case, with location of attack, quotes from the victim, possible species of shark responsible for the attack, and some cases have photos. An incredible amount of research went into the production of this book and it's easy to see that from the beginning. I couldn't put it down!

Collier also informs the reader of shark biology and physiology, showing us that sharks aren't monsters, but animals supremely adapted to their environment with an insaciable sense of curiousty and highly developed senses. Sharks are dangerous, yet beautiful and deserve our respect.

I guarantee that once you pick up this book you won't be able to put it down. This is the best shark attack book I've ever read, and probably ever will read!

This is an incredible book and I highly recommend this to anyone that has a desire to learn more about serious Shark Attacks. It is simply amazing and highly informative!. The author was so kind to have inscribed the inside of the book for my husband as it was a gift. It will be cherished for years to come! A must read!

I have quite a few books on sharks and shark attacks and this one is
by far one of the best (top 2) on shark attacks that I have ever read.
It gives details, putting them in order from first to last, including location and recurring location's on every attack. Anyone writing a book on shark attacks should model after this one. I'm waiting (impatiently) for him to write another one, picking up where this one left off.

This book is fantastic -- gives details on shark attacks and the photos are terrific. I recommend this book to any shark lover. Well worth the price. I decided to treat myself to this book as I had wanted it for so long. Ralph Collier is truly a shark expert and you will love this book!!

although stephan bullard review said it all about this book. (And great job stephan.) I will give my review also. I was always fascinated by sharks since I was a little kid and I thought the book "shark attacks of the twentieth century from the pacific coast of north america" was fabulous! It gives more detail then the book I had as a kid "shark attacks on man" by george a. llano) that book was good but this book is alot better !It talks about the true and horrifying shark attacks in the pacific, with also noaa charts on the attack location,pictures of the attack site, and even graphic shark attack photos(some very rare indeed)along with the weather, water temperature and if their were any seals ,birds, or any other marine life in the area at the time of the attack.

The people trying to fend off the attacking shark(which is mostly the great white shark in the book since they reside in california waters)show true bravery, along with many of their rescuers trying to help them. truly great book if you are fascinated by sharks like I am. The true shark attacks on 16 years old Barry wilson, 18 years old albert kogler, and robert pamperin, are truly terrifying and sad,along with many others in this book. I feel sorry for the victims and their families after a huge shark killed their loved ones. The barry wilson case has haunted me since I was a kid-the book is so well written it almost puts you right there at the attack scene and it's horrifying! I tell you nobody deserves to be savaged by an enormous shark! horrifying !! This book is a must if you love and are interested in sharks! and this book should be on the shelves of marine biologists, scuba divers,free divers or anybody else who loves to be in the ocean alot. nothing is a guarantee but reading this book gives you many tips and suggestions how to avoid being attacked by a monstrous shark! I love this book. highly reccommended reading !!