The Book of Sharks

This book can serve as a great endtable book with itslarge-page (12.5" x 9") format and accurate paintings of avariety of sharks by R. Ellis, but this book is more than that. The book has excellent illustrations, paintings, and photographs, and biographies of several prominent shark researchers, conservationists, and shark-hunters. But more importantly, this book does a good job of summarizing aspects of the biology, ecology, and evolution of this amazing and intruiging group of animals.Is this "the" definitive shark book? I would say that's a safe statement for the non-technical crowd. The only thing it needs to keep the technical crowd happy is a comprehensive list of references to scientific literature that was used to provide the information detailed in the book.If you are interested in marine life, and in the lives and times of this group of top predators, then this book is for you.Top marks, even though some of the information is becoming somewhat dated.

Mr Ellis has written the most informative, detailed book on every species of shark there is. Anything you want to know about sharks is in this book. I have read many shark books and myself and my husband are shark lovers and we believe this book is superb. Definitely recommendable.

When i was a kid growing up, sharks were (and still are) the greatest thing on earth. This book was the first book i ever read about sharks, although back then all i did was look at the pictures. I own the book still, and now that i am older, i know that is is one of the most thorough, and thought prevoking books dealing with this subject. It is a worthy entry in any shark lovers collection

Richard Ellis portrays sharks in their many-varied splendor - from the peaceful, inoffensive species to the predatory varieties. His paintings compliment the text and photos perfectly, and convey the beauty and wonder of these extraordinary creatures.