Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1021067 in Books
• Published on: 2002-01-18
• Released on: 2002-01-31
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 240 pages

From Amazon.co.uk
Whether you have seen the BBC TV series or not, The Blue Planet is a must-have book. It tells the story of life in the oceans, upon which we all ultimately depend. From the tropics to the poles, from the shores to the deeps, the waters of the planet teem with an amazing diversity of creatures and plants and a wonderful sample of it is portrayed here in the book's 400 or so colour photos.

The Blue Planet is a reminder of what we know and what we still don't know about the oceans and is a timely reminder of how fragile its ecosystems can be. We still know more about the surface of the moon than we do about the floor of the oceans. As David Attenborough reminds us in his introduction the highest peaks on Earth are still unclimbed and there are still thousands, maybe even millions, of animal species that remain undiscovered because all are hidden under the waves of the oceans. People have walked on the surface of the moon, nobody has walked on the floor of the deep ocean and probably never will. Looking at a book such as this you can get some idea of the thrill of exploring the last unknown section of our planet. And since 70 per cent of Earth's surface is covered in water, there is still plenty left to find out about.

The story the book tells is so momentous that much of the scientific background has to be condensed. For the general reader, however, this is an excellent and up-to-date introduction. Martha Holmes, one of the three authors is a marine biologist and all have worked in the Natural History Unit, the jewel in the crown of BBC TV, and so have been exposed to most of the researchers whose work has helped inform the series and the book. There is a useful glossary and index but, disappointingly, there is no Further Reading list for those who want to find out more. The Blue Planet will no doubt encourage a whole new generation of marine biologists and oceanographers.-- Douglas Palmer

From Library Journal
This companion volume to the forthcoming BBC/Discovery Channel miniseries The Blue Planet is a broad-ranging, nonthreatening introduction to our planet's oceans for the reader who is interested, but not well versed, in science. Six of seven chapters cover the basic ocean environments (e.g., tropical seas, frozen seas, and the deep), with an emphasis on the plant and animal life found in these regions. Although the focus is on biological oceanography, one full chapter covers physical oceanography and marine geology. The relevant chemistry, geology, and physics of the ocean are also introduced as needed. Spectacular photographs are plentiful throughout. Although lacking a bibliography or suggestions for further reading, the book contains a good index, a glossary, and even cross references in the text when appropriate. The science is thorough and up-to-date. A good introduction to the oceans for the scientific novice, this book is recommended for public, high school, and middle school libraries that do not have extensive marine science collections, as well as for public libraries whose patrons are fans of the Discovery Channel. Margaret Rioux, MBL/WHOI Lib., Woods Hole Oceanographic Inst., MA
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Published in conjunction with the BBC/Discovery Channel special of the same name, this stunning new book reveals the secrets of our water planet. When viewed from space, Earth, 70 percent of which is covered with water, appears blue. Only 1 percent of these vast oceans has been studied, and these mysteries and discoveries are discussed in seven chapters. The first chapters explain the mechanics of the water planet, including the chemistry of water; the interactions of atmosphere and ocean; and how water moves in waves, currents, and tides. The remaining sections discuss the different realms of the oceans: the seas of the tropics, temperate regions, and the poles; the open oceans far from land; and the deep-sea regions. The plant and animal life adapted to each environment are depicted in beautiful photographs, and more information appears in sidebars. The informative text is conversational and highly readable and extensively illustrated with maps, illustrations, charts, and photographs, many of which show rarely seen creatures. Nancy Bent
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