Singing Whales and Flying Squid: The Discovery of Marine Life

Features

• Cover Type: Hard Cover with 288 pages
• Published by: The Lyons Press January 1, 2006
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 1592288421
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-1592288427
• Book Dimensions: 6.7 x 2.9 x 1.1 inches
• Weighs: 1.5 pounds

From Booklist
Two-thirds of our planet is covered by water teeming with an incredible diversity of animals, most of which we'll never see. The oceans' sizes are so daunting and the oceans' depths so forbidding that we are just now beginning to learn about many of the animals that inhabit these alien realms. Ellis, well-known marine researcher and author (Men and Whales, 1991; The Search for the Giant Squid, 1998), has written an eminently readable look at "what lives in the ocean, how we found out what lives in the ocean, and what is to become of what lives in the ocean." Devoting a number of sections to individual discoveries, Ellis paints a picture of the early days of ocean exploration and exploitation, which was followed by the more scientific era of research (and further exploitation), and ends with some thoughts on where ocean research might be headed. With a long list of references and illustrated throughout with Ellis' marvelous drawings, this book will awaken the reader to the wonders of the oceans. Nancy Bent
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Review
In Singing Whales and Flying Squid (great title!), Richard Ellis offers the story of the past, present, and future of marine biology, from the earliest ichthyologists through the discovery of the hydrothermal vents--surely the most amazing event in recent biology and geology--and beyond. Here we learn of the latest innovations in underwater acoustic remote sensing and the use of unmanned submersibles in identifying new and wonderful animals. Add this gorgeously illustrated book to Ellis¿s already impressive catalog of studies of marine life.--Peter Benchley, author of Jaws, Beast, and Shark Trouble  "Richard Ellis is one of our Great Explainers, a writer and artist whose passion for research knows no equal and without whom the sea and its inhabitants would be far less known to us. Singing Whales and Flying Squid is an eloquent account of our attempts to grasp the mysterious, frightening, but, especially, gorgeous oceans that give the Blue Planet color, character, and life."--Brad Matsen,author of Descent: The Heroic Discovery of the Abyss "Cracking the ocean's 'code,' we learn in this erudite and highly readable book, is every bit as challenging as that of DNA. From the majestic swordfish to the invisible plankton, the ancient Greeks to contemporary discoverers of thermal vents, Richard Ellis takes us on a dramatic voyage deep into our undersea realm--and imparts that the more we learn about its mysteries, the greater our responsibility toward its inhabitants, many of whom have never been more threatened by the practices of human beings.--Dick Russell, author of Eye of the Whale and Striper Wars
 "In this captivating new book Richard Ellis takes us on a compelling journey through the World Ocean, a place at once familiar yet the least well known part of our planet. Interestingly, Ellis takes as his muse the Census of Marine Life initiative--a massive undertaking to document all of marine life. The CoML is every bit as ambitious as the human Genome Project and is proving to be much, much harder to complete. As this book so powerfully demonstrates, the World Ocean is so vast, so full of life, and yet still so poorly known."--Melanie Stiassny, Curator of Fishes, American Museum of Natural History "Here, Ellis is in full command. This richly presented, thoroughly researched, easy-to-read book will bring anyone, young or old, up to date on what¿s up with what's down below."--Carl Safina, PhD, president of the Blue Ocean Institute and author of Song for the Blue Ocean

"Singing Whales and Flying Squid might be Ellis's best book so far because it has it all. From astounding tales of mad, killer swordfish to the truth about Chilean Sea Bass, Ellis engages the reader at every turn. It's a dream menu for anyone with an interest in the sea."--Ray Troll, illustrator of Planet Ocean


 “A forthcoming book by the noted naturalist Richard Ellis, “Singing Whales and Flying Squid” (Lyons Press, 2006), (depicts) recent discoveries of previously unknown whales, dolphins and other creatures.”
Booklist “Ellis, well-know marine researcher, has written an eminently readable look…illustrated throughout with Ellis’ marvelous drawings, this book will awaken the reader to the wonders of the oceans.”--New York Times   “Ellis, well-know marine researcher, has written an eminently readable look…illustrated throughout with Ellis’ marvelous drawings, this book will awaken the reader to the wonders of the oceans.”--Booklist











Reader Reviews
Another great book by the master of entertaining books about Marine Biology. If you are a Richard Ellis fan, this is a "must buy". If you are interested in a great history of the mysteries and discoveries of what lies beneath the waves, it is also a "must buy". The book does slightly overlap with some other of this authors books. It has some very fresh information on the Giant Squid, and also that strange otherworldly life found deep in the depths.