Marine Biology

I'm not a student, just a guy who wants to learn new things. I became excited about marine biology after reading 'The Highest Tide' by Jim Lynch. Finding this introductory text took me in to a world I never knew. The descriptions and photos make the reading both enjoyable and easy to understand. I know it is a lot to take in on the first reading...but I will be reading it again and again. If this is a new interest for you...start with this book. You can't go wrong.

I'm studying at home in lieu of taking a course, and am very satisfied with this textbook. Illustrations are beautiful, and the authors' approach to the topic is thorough, yet easy to comprehend and inspires further study. I'm very fortunate to live on the seacoast and take frequent beach walks - this book has enhanced my appreciation of the sea and its life forms.

Anytime you look for a sourcebook on a specialized topic such as Marine Biology, you want to make sure it covers all the groundwork. By that, I mean the full foundation of the field needs to be established. What Castro and Huber might lack in specifics, they make up for by encompassing the true nature of Marine Biology and what it entails. For anyone new to Marine Biology, this is the book to go with. It is well structured and covers everything in an instructive, yet simple to understand manner. There are a plethora of illustrations, diagrams, and tables to help aid the reader, and the text is well placed. The information touches most everything, including the very nature of Marine Biology, the habitats involved, the diversity presented, and even man's impact on the stature of the subject. I have no complaints on the presentation, and any inexperienced learner should find themselves involved in a very fascinating subject. For those already experienced in Marine Biology, there is still much included that will catch your eye. Although the text is obviously leant for beginning, I found myself quite interested in much of the text and enjoyed analyzing and recalling sections of the field that I hadn't dealt with or devoted time to for months or even years. There are some weaknesses, but most are minor or insignificant. Because Marine Biology is such a diverse field, it is near impossible to include EVERYTHING the subject entails. This text leaves some intriguing (albeit small) parts out, but overall I did not feel cheated about what I might have missed. There was also little focus on evolutionary associations, but then again, this is designed for a beginner and I expected little in this regard. Overall, one way or the other, I feel that Castro and Huber have really developed a text that is very nearly a "can't miss" in Marine Biology. I recommend it to anyone, from the newest pupil to the most experienced professor. The bottom line is that you WILL learn.

While it has been replaced by newer editions, this text is a great reference and supplement for a marine biology student. The basics are all still current, and the publisher maintains a website to assist with finding more current events information.Certainly worth getting if you are having trouble in a class using a different text!

I am a high school student and this is a college course, and the only reason I am bought this book was because my school can't afford to supply the students with it. This book is great and is going to almost guarantee me a passing grade in my Marine Biology class. Although this is just an introduction book it is full of information and it is and interesting subject to study. Coming from a student I recommend this book to any Marine Biology teacher. This subject is overall fun and even if you are expecting to be something non-related to this subject when you choose your career this is still very educational.