Customer Reviews

Sharks of the World (Princeton Field Guides)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
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It's finally here -- THE DEFINITIVE and COMPLETELY (yes, very literally) EXHAUSTIVE shark guide. I've just picked up my copy and it still feels like a dream. As a serious shark enthusiast, this is the book that I have always dreamed about but has never existed, until now. If you're a shark enthusiast, it would be a tragedy not to acquire this book. Here's why:

(1) There are lavish full color illustrations of every single species of shark known today -- 404 described species and 49 as-yet-undescribed species on 64 plates, each species in oblique view (not the usual profile shot), giving invaluable information on its shape in 3 dimensions. In addition to the most popular species (such as the great white or the blacktip reef shark), the least well known are also included in this book, such as Deania quadrispinosum or Etmopterus pusillus, or new species, such as Isistius labialis or Somniosus antarcticus. There are 3 plates of 18 species of angel sharks (Squatinidae)! All 5 species of Oxynotus are included! Nine species of saw shark (Pristiophoridae)!

(2) All breath-takingly accurate illustrations are by the same artist, ensuring consistent style. Mark Dando is among the most accomplished of shark artists; his attention to detail is truly astounding. As a discriminating and accomplished fellow natural history artist, I know what I'm talking about. Having said that, please understand that the illustrations chosen for the cover, while wonderfully accurate, are not representative of the exquisite skill demonstrated in his illustrations of more colorful species, such as the ornate wobbegong (Orectolobus ornatus). Therefore, at the risk of sinking in the mire of cliche, I nevertheless urge you not to judge this book by its cover!

(3) The work is truly exhaustive, not only in the number of species depicted. Where there is sufficient variation within a species, additional color illustrations depict sexual dimorphism, juvenile forms and races. All species are presented to scale with each other and a scale bar is provided for easy size comparisons.

(4) For those with a taste for the traditional practice of depicting sharks in profile line drawings, the illustrator satisfies in the textual portion of the book. Again, every single species is beautifully presented in a fine ink line drawing from the side (or from the top in angel sharks and saw sharks). With every species is included a detailed range map, and for most species the teeth are also illustrated. For many, the ventral view of the head is also presented.

(5) The text reads like a field guide, providing detailed notes on the measurements, distinguishing features, distribution, habitat, behavior, biology and status of each species, written by leading authorities on sharks. It even includes a checklist at the end so that shark watchers can record their sightings in the field.

I am completely confident that no shark enthusiast will be disappointed in this book. Seriously folks, the editorial review provided by the publisher for this book underestimates its worth. It's truly a gem and will probably remain the definitive reference and the ultimate field guide for a long, long time.

If you don't know anything about Leonard Compagno, you should know that he is a very thorough archivist. It was he who cataloged all of the known shark species for the FAO Species Catalog, presumably the basis for this book. The book begins with a small introductory section on sharks (evolution, anatomy, physiology, ecology, etc.) and a key to the families. This is followed by wonderfully drawn color plates of each shark. The individual descriptions of the sharks include a line drawing with notable characters, examples of upper and lower teeth (more if heterodontic), distributions and a short blurb that includes habitat, size, behavior and biology, descriptions and IUCN status. Included are relatively new species and all of the deep-water forms. I cannot imagine needing another guide, at least for the next ten years. New species aren't exactly rolling in. I would recommend, however, a hardback copy for field workers, as paperbacks don't last very long with heavy usage. Also, keep in mind that other elasmobranchs are not included. I have not seen Compagno's much cheaper Collins Guide (only available in hardback), but I do know that this Princeton Guide is worth the money.

Growing up around brothers and cousins who fish and swimming in the mighty Atlantic, sharks have been a whisper in my life that may get lost in being at the shore. I have been in the water with sharks, caught sharks, discovered dead sharks washed up on the shore, and played the role of amateur ichthyologist (sp?) when a shark was brought in over four feet long.

This book is not for everyone, it is a scientific almanac or encyclopedia of species of sharks that one has never heard of. But it does fill in the great mysteries about those sharks one does encounter, and expands one's curiousity to the other infamous fish in the waters. I held this book in my hand trying to determine if a still flopping shark of 48" was a bull shark or a sandbar shark... the book succeeded where wisened fishermen failed. It would be welcome in the hands of the curious, the fisherman, or the student.

If you're going to have only one book on sharks this one is it. It's not just exhaustive but it is exhaustively illustrated as well. Each shark is shown in black and white line drawing as well as color illustrated.

This is also a well-made book. It's a paperback but the binding is sewn rather than glued. It's made to last.

A lovely book. I got interested in sharks after watching some nature programs of the deep sea. I wanted to know what other weird, bizarre, beautiful and little known shark species there are and this book introduces them all with very good drawings and color plates. Each shark species, even those that have been seen only a single time, is represented by a color painting and then again in the text by a line drawing. In addition, there is a very nice introductory section on general shark anatomy and biology, also with some superb b&w drawings. The text is sparse, but will tell you basic information (if known) about each species. BTW, the book's cover looked different than the one shown on this page, but that doesn't matter to me.

There are no photos, as one reviewer pointed out, but then, these field-guide style books usually don't have those anyways. Most folks will never get to the deep sea, so it's not like you'd need a book like this to take along on your next beach vacation so you can key out whatever washes up on the beach. Then again, if you're a diver or snorkler, it will help key out the occasional shark or dogfish you see. What this book is best for is to simply open your mind about the incredible diversity and beauty of sharks. Who woulda thunk there were THAT many of them! So sit down and marvel :)

my husband is extremely well read and has a special interest in sharks. he has looked for a long time for a book on sharks that would show detailed plates and drawings for identification as well as informative text - not fluff. this is it - at least it's the best we've found. i highly recommend this book - for the money, i guarantee you'll be satisfied with the amount of information it provides.

If you know anyone interested in sharks, this is the book. The only ID book needed for the hobbiest or seasoned researcher. A must have for any well stocked nature or marine library.

Pictures and great, in depth with the most information I've ever seen in a book about sharks. We borrowed it at library and then decided to buy.

This book is just great! In addition to the beautiful illustrated plates the book contains pages upon pages of information about the biology and natural history of every shark. Those who don't know much about sharks will surely benefit from reading through the text pages. The text itself might be a bit technical for some laypersons, but on the whole this book is just amazing. Hopefully it will come in useful as an identification guide if I see any sharks while diving in the future!

I've never seen any book close to this one on sharks. It is a really good field guide. It lists probably all the sharks in the world-even very ancient looking ones! It even shows what kind of tooth comes from each shark which I think is great for shark tooth collectors like my son. That way you know which shark had which tooth. That's cool. There are no real photographs of the sharks listed though. Only Illustrations or paintings of each in a plate section at the start of the book. Then the rest of the book has each shark shown in a line drawing with many details describing each one. There is a drawing for each shark and most of them include the drawings of the teeth that go with each shark. Before the picture section or plate section in the very beginning the book describes the whole anatomy-everything you'd need or want to know about sharks. They also show diagrams or illustrations on the insides of sharks. It is a cooooooooooooool book. I'd highly recommend it to all shark lovers or anyone who just wants to know about them and one who goes shark watching-since it only a field guide. Actually, my 14 year old son is a shark lover and wants to know more about them. I got this book for him and he loves it. I'm a marine life artist so this book works great for me too. Now I can paint each and every shark there is in the ocean, while I learn about them at the same time. Also I can try to put some science about sharks into my paintings!