The Great Book of the Sea: A Complete Guide to Marine Life

Beautifully illustrated by dozens of artists, intelligently written by the director of Naples' Museum of Natural History -- this book is a quality production. It's filled with interesting facts about all the major fish groups, as well as notable marine invertebrates, birds, reptiles and mammals. And unlike more modern coffee table books on the subject, the Great Book of the Sea is actually substantial. This is not a glorified photo album. Perhaps the most amusing thread of the book involves fish-human parallels. Some Anglerfish have been observed swallowing far more than they could chew, and dying immediately of indigestion. Giant Groupers have been known to allow visiting divers to bribe them in exchange for affection, exchanging snacks for petting privileges. Mudskippers... ah, how Pixar missed an opportunity when they neglected to include Mudskippers in their movie "Finding Nemo"; these silly fish engage in slapstick antics while maintaining the composure of old bespectacled men. Then there are the illustrations. Many are outstanding. Rignall's plates depicting cleaner fish almost always provoke spontaneous laughter; big toothy fish are helplessly dependent upon the anti-parasite services of tiny whimsical wrasses. The painting of the European Stargazer -- what could be more anthropomorphic? I think the world's marine ecosystems would be far healthier if more people were exposed to books like these. When fish acquire personalities, they're more apt to be considered friends than seafood.