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The Sea
Despite their importance to mankind, the earth sciences have traditionally lagged behind the laboratory sciences. Perhaps the most backward subdivision of the earth sciences has been the obscure subject of oceanography, in which an attempt is made to advance our understanding of one particular part of our environment, namely the large fraction of our globe that is covered with salt water. . . .
190 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1961
About the author
Leonard Engel
35 books1 followerLeonard Engel was a contributor to many national magazines, including The New York Times Magazine, and wrote several books on science.
A thin, fragile‐looking man, Mr. Engel went to the source for his articles and books. In 1960, in order to learn at firsthand about the science of oceanography, he joined the Antartic cruise of the Vema, the research vessel of the Lamont Geological Laboratory of Columbia University, serving as an ablebodied seaman for several months.
At his death he was working on a book about his experience aboard the Vema.
Mr. Engel was born in New York on June 2, 1916, attended public and private schools and was graduated from Columbia University. He also studied at the University of Chicago.
At the age of 21 he joined the staff of Science Service and served for a time as its news editor. When the newspaper PM was founded in 1940, Mr. Engel became its writer on military affairs with the non de plume of “The General.” Because of poor eyesight, he was not accepted for military service in World War II.
After the war Mr. Engel became a freelance writer specializing in science. He wrote more than 400 articles on science and medicine for 50 magazines, including Harpers, Colliers, and The Scientific American.
He was also the author of a book entitled “The Operation,” an account of modern surgery, and was nearing completion of; a book to be called “The New Genetics.”
Mr. Engel was the editor of a new edition of Charles Darwin's “The Voyage of the Beagle” and of a volume called “New Worlds of Modern Science.”
He was a writer and consultant for the National Broadcasting Company's television series on science, “Breakthrough.”
He received two awards for articles on heart disease from the American Heart Association and the George Polk Memorial Award from Long Island University for his science writing. He also did work for pharmaceutical concerns, and wrote a history of the Upjohn Company, “Medicine Makers of Kalamazoo.”
Mr. Engel was a member of the National Association of Science Writers.
He was married to Catherine; and had a son, Peter.
A thin, fragile‐looking man, Mr. Engel went to the source for his articles and books. In 1960, in order to learn at firsthand about the science of oceanography, he joined the Antartic cruise of the Vema, the research vessel of the Lamont Geological Laboratory of Columbia University, serving as an ablebodied seaman for several months.
At his death he was working on a book about his experience aboard the Vema.
Mr. Engel was born in New York on June 2, 1916, attended public and private schools and was graduated from Columbia University. He also studied at the University of Chicago.
At the age of 21 he joined the staff of Science Service and served for a time as its news editor. When the newspaper PM was founded in 1940, Mr. Engel became its writer on military affairs with the non de plume of “The General.” Because of poor eyesight, he was not accepted for military service in World War II.
After the war Mr. Engel became a freelance writer specializing in science. He wrote more than 400 articles on science and medicine for 50 magazines, including Harpers, Colliers, and The Scientific American.
He was also the author of a book entitled “The Operation,” an account of modern surgery, and was nearing completion of; a book to be called “The New Genetics.”
Mr. Engel was the editor of a new edition of Charles Darwin's “The Voyage of the Beagle” and of a volume called “New Worlds of Modern Science.”
He was a writer and consultant for the National Broadcasting Company's television series on science, “Breakthrough.”
He received two awards for articles on heart disease from the American Heart Association and the George Polk Memorial Award from Long Island University for his science writing. He also did work for pharmaceutical concerns, and wrote a history of the Upjohn Company, “Medicine Makers of Kalamazoo.”
Mr. Engel was a member of the National Association of Science Writers.
He was married to Catherine; and had a son, Peter.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 9, 2011
The Sea is one of twenty-five volumes in the Life Nature Library. Published by Time-Life books in the 1960s, this series portrays the many aspects of the natural world. Despite its age, The Sea is a good, basic introduction to oceanography. Topics covered include the history of oceanography, the sea floor, waves, tides, currents, life in the sea, and how humans have used and will likely use the sea for food, energy, and minerals. As with other books in this series, there are many awesome illustrations which supplement the reading. The chapter on sharks was especially fascinating. An appendix of important dates in ocean exploration is included. If you want a highly readable, non-technical book on the ocean then this book is for you.
August 17, 2015
I loved mine to death and still kept a few leaves. This was my horror book as a child: world's scariest big white picture, pink seabeds full of ancient Trilobytes (We came from that?), dinosaurs like crocodiles, shark feeding frenzy. The fold out is amazing, showing animals by depth in the water. The giant squid even messes with a whale. Can't wait to get another copy.
July 27, 2010
LIFE nature series.
September 30, 2023
I will give this book to my future kiddos (and read along together) hehe
December 18, 2016
Most of the book is good, but the chapter on sharks is terrible. It just talks about sharks kill people and are monsters. The version I read came out shortly after Jaws; I really hope they fix this in newer editions.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews