Creatures of the Deep: In Search of the Sea's Monsters and the World They Live in - Hardcover

Hoyt, Erich

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1552093409 ISBN 13: 9781552093405

Publisher: Firefly Books Ltd, 2001

Synopsis

This text tells the story of the discovery of the deep ocean. Weaving together details from the latest scientific research about sharks, giant squid, dragonfish and the huge tubeworm, clams and tiny microbes of the deep-sea vents, the author embarks on a journey to the bottom of the sea, which is inhabited not by vicious monsters but by diverse species of pale starfish and mud-eating sea cucumbers. Roaming across the abyssal plains and descending deep-sea trenches, the book presents as much about the character and charisma of these and other so-called monsters as about the extraordinary environment in which they live. The deep sea is not one place but many, and the animals living in each of these marine habitats have developed fascinating and vital ecological relationships with one another. Illustrated with 100 colour photographs.

About this title

Review

Creatures of the Deep separates monster fact from fiction, with nature writer Erich Hoyt plunging to the depths of the world's oceans in search of the ogres.--Paul Allen"Geographical [UK]" (03/01/2002) Hoyt ... shares his enthusiasm for and knowledge about the extraordinary creatures of the deep sea ...[The book has a] knowledgeable and accessible approach to marine life and high quality photography.-- (12/01/2001) A brisk history of deep sea research ... as engagingly descriptive as he is instructive, Hoyt takes readers on an extensive tour through the underwater zones ... Teen science buffs will enjoy the photographs and Hoyt's animation and clarity.-- (12/01/2001) The general summary of the ocean's layers, specific views of the selected "monsters," and the perspective of the life and environment interaction combine to make this book a splendid overview. The photographs, sidebars, and unique life-forms presented offer opportune ways of catching the attention of reluctant readers.-- (02/01/2002) Outstanding photographs and a well-written, enthusiastic text ... a worthwhile addition to school science collections.-- (04/01/2002) Combines dramatic photographs with extraordinary tales of undersea life.--Publishers Weekly (10/01/2001) A bevy of interesting creatures ... The book benefits tremendously from vivid color photographs of the featured creatures.-- (09/22/2001) The most striking element ... are the more than 150 color photographs that capture everything from sea cucumbers to vampire squids in all their watery glory.-- (10/01/2001) More than a picture book ... Hoyt's elegant writing provides both the historical background for deep-sea exploration and an ecological perspective on life in the ocean's depths.-- (11/01/2001) Accompanied by stunning photographs of little-known creatures ... the detailed but highly readable text traces a history of myths and discoveries of the oceans.-- (11/24/2001) The deep is a wondrous place, Hoyt tells us convincingly. It is another world, concealing mysteries locked up in mountain chains and valleys that may hold the key to how life began at all.-- (01/20/2002) Hoyt unravels the complex predator-prey relationships from "killer" copepods to battles among giant squids and sperm whales, presenting compelling portraits of animals that are superbly adapted denizen of a dark high-pressure world.--Newsletter of the National Association of Science (01/01/2002) Erich Hoyt, an award-winning science writer, gives readers an amazing tour of the ocean world through an underwater camera in this fascinating book. He examines former and current sea monsters which dwell at various depths of the ocean. His purpose is to dispel misconceptions and turn these monsters into animals worthy of humans' respect, patient curiosity and admiration. This book has several strengths: the text provides a wealth of interesting information; the colour photographs are no less than fabulous, affording readers a glimpse into the murky ocean world; and, perhaps, most important of all, Hoyt's obvious passion for the ocean and the myriad life forms it harbors comes through loud and clear. Highly Recommended.-- (03/01/2002)

About the Author

Has spent his life on or beneath the sea, working with whales and dolphins and marine conservation. He lives and works in Scotland where he is based on a marine research station in the Orkneys.

Edition details

• Publisher: Firefly Books Ltd
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 1552093409
• ISBN 13: 9781552093405
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 160