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Sea Monsters: Prehistoric Creatures of the Deep
Sharks and dinosaurs, dinosaurs and sharks, we find them both alien and awe-inspiring, at once utterly inhuman and somehow irresistibly compelling. But forget Jaws and Jurassic Park—nothing can prepare you for Sea Monsters: Prehistoric Creatures of the Deep, an amazing plunge into the Cretaceous oceans of 80 million years ago, a merciless realm ruled by the most ferocious animals ever to stalk the seas of planet Earth. More terrifying than anything known to humankind, it scarcely seems possible that these swift, massive underwater predators actually existed, but they did—and this is their frightening, fascinating, unforgettable story.
Featuring incredibly realistic computer-generated images and 3-D film clips—with 3-D glasses—field photography by National Geographic cameramen, and much more, the book interweaves dramatic scenes of the far, far distant past; up-to-the-minute scientific profiles of nearly two dozen sea monsters; and a group portrait of the eccentric Sternberg family, Kansas-bred pioneers of marine paleontology. From giant sharks and fierce reptiles to the fossil-hunters who proved that today's land-locked Great Plains were once submerged, to the cutting-edge Large Format Film technology that made Sea Monsters possible, this book and the movie behind it will forever change how we think about marine predators—and make us look at the oceans of our world with new eyes and a shivery mix of wonderment and ancient, instinctive fear.
Featuring incredibly realistic computer-generated images and 3-D film clips—with 3-D glasses—field photography by National Geographic cameramen, and much more, the book interweaves dramatic scenes of the far, far distant past; up-to-the-minute scientific profiles of nearly two dozen sea monsters; and a group portrait of the eccentric Sternberg family, Kansas-bred pioneers of marine paleontology. From giant sharks and fierce reptiles to the fossil-hunters who proved that today's land-locked Great Plains were once submerged, to the cutting-edge Large Format Film technology that made Sea Monsters possible, this book and the movie behind it will forever change how we think about marine predators—and make us look at the oceans of our world with new eyes and a shivery mix of wonderment and ancient, instinctive fear.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published October 2, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 5, 2008
What a marvelous book this is! There are so many books on dinosaurs, but few featuring prehistoric life under the sea in such vivid detail. I really enjoyed it.
July 22, 2021
This was a book that had been ordered for my niece and I mean who wouldn't want to borrow it with such a cover like this? Also if you are into dinosaurs and other prehistoric beasties than this book will be straight up your alley. Unfortunately her version didn't come with the 3-D glasses so that is a bit of a disappointment although you may not necessarily miss it unless you read the description.
Anyway the book starts off with a small blurb introducing the reader who may not know it that there was an inner ocean in Kansas before kicking off with its introduction to our focal species the dolichorhynchops. From there the story follows the small family through what it may have been like for the species to have to deal with on a daily struggle to survive.
The text was easy-to-read and follow while I do appreciate the fact that they chose to give the creature a nickname. Furthermore I love how there were other species included with some trivia for them and how they may have interacted with each other in this dance of life.
And there is no way that you can fault the illustrations the book. They are realistic seeming as most dinosaur and prehistoric art is nowadays but also full page so that you feel like you are immersed in the scene. I just wish there had been a list in the back perhaps of what some of these shown species were that hadn't been mentioned in the text.
Although big and bulky this is sure to be a book that will please and excite those who are into the subject matter whether young or old. And now I must go see if I can find this show that the book was taken from....
Anyway the book starts off with a small blurb introducing the reader who may not know it that there was an inner ocean in Kansas before kicking off with its introduction to our focal species the dolichorhynchops. From there the story follows the small family through what it may have been like for the species to have to deal with on a daily struggle to survive.
The text was easy-to-read and follow while I do appreciate the fact that they chose to give the creature a nickname. Furthermore I love how there were other species included with some trivia for them and how they may have interacted with each other in this dance of life.
And there is no way that you can fault the illustrations the book. They are realistic seeming as most dinosaur and prehistoric art is nowadays but also full page so that you feel like you are immersed in the scene. I just wish there had been a list in the back perhaps of what some of these shown species were that hadn't been mentioned in the text.
Although big and bulky this is sure to be a book that will please and excite those who are into the subject matter whether young or old. And now I must go see if I can find this show that the book was taken from....
August 6, 2014
My then 7 year old little brother was on a serious sea monster kick
after visiting the awesome Onion Creek Mosasaur exhibit at the Texas Memorial Museum in Austin. We then watched Chased by Sea Monsters, which is the DVD that this book is companion to.
Naturally, all summer long he read every book I could get him that was about huge prehistoric ocean creatures. This is a great introduction to National Geographic for young readers and also makes a fascinating read for people of all ages interested in the sea monster evolution and what lurked in our ancient oceans. Some of the fantastic artwork is in 3D to further intrigue younger readers (my kid brother loved it!)
There are over 20 prehistoric sea creatures described including savage MONSTER sharks to bloodthirsty marine reptiles like mosasaurs, which are believed to be distantly related to monitor lizards such as the Komodo Dragon and which became our summer favourites. Sea Monsters: Prehistoric Creatures of the Deep contains an abundance of detailed information about the prehistoric ocean and is really a great primer on marine paleontology.
Recommended for anyone with an interest in prehistoric sharks and marine reptiles, and especially for the young ones (or your inner child) fascinated by sea monsters!
April 4, 2013
I saw this book on my mom's coffee table and had to steal - er, borrow ;) - it. I've always been fascinated by dinosaurs and all prehistoric creatures, so this was right up my alley!
This was an absolutely fascinating book. The coolest part of this was that it came with 3-D glasses and there were several pages of beautiful 3-D images.
I really want to watch the Sea Monsters movie now! Maybe my mom has it, too. =)
This was an absolutely fascinating book. The coolest part of this was that it came with 3-D glasses and there were several pages of beautiful 3-D images.
I really want to watch the Sea Monsters movie now! Maybe my mom has it, too. =)
March 3, 2013
Would be even greater if some bastard would not nick the 3D glasses.
May 7, 2022
I love, love books about sea monsters, real or imagined. This book was just fascinating and I learned a lot about various ocean creatures in the time of the dinosaurs, many I had never heard of. This book is a companion to the 3D film of the same name.
From tylosaurs, to mosaurus to the Ginsu shark, this book talked about a dozen or so prehistoric giants that roamed the seas. One creature it did not mention, which I found odd, was megalodon. Next to pleisiosaurus, this is my favorite ocean sea monster. I was a little disappointed by that. The creatures it did talk about though were varied. Some were giant sea turtles, others were large sharks and others looked somewhat like alligators only much bigger.
The illustrations were really cool, just a bit of a downside for me because I did not have the 3D glasses. The ones that did not need 3D were fascinating though. Most were computer generated artistic renderings of the creatures, others were photos of fossils or photos of fossil hunters like the Sternberg family.
If you like the ocean, dinosaurs, or sea monsters, try this book!
From tylosaurs, to mosaurus to the Ginsu shark, this book talked about a dozen or so prehistoric giants that roamed the seas. One creature it did not mention, which I found odd, was megalodon. Next to pleisiosaurus, this is my favorite ocean sea monster. I was a little disappointed by that. The creatures it did talk about though were varied. Some were giant sea turtles, others were large sharks and others looked somewhat like alligators only much bigger.
The illustrations were really cool, just a bit of a downside for me because I did not have the 3D glasses. The ones that did not need 3D were fascinating though. Most were computer generated artistic renderings of the creatures, others were photos of fossils or photos of fossil hunters like the Sternberg family.
If you like the ocean, dinosaurs, or sea monsters, try this book!
December 26, 2018
Prehistoric creatures and dinosaurs are the main stars of this book. The book mainly follows the journey of the making of the National Geographic film and majority discoveries in the sea creature world. The 3D pages are wonderful additions to this book. I learned a little bit more about sea creatures than I had previously known before.
January 20, 2026
This book is a companion to the tv show. Usually this means the book’s a very obvious afterthought, but this one is a fairly satisfying read. The visuals (minus the 3d bits, I have to find where I put the glasses) are very lovingly done and the information provided is quite good.
I love dinosaurs and ancient megafauna and shows like this one are a delight for me.
I love dinosaurs and ancient megafauna and shows like this one are a delight for me.
August 21, 2019
Everything I could have hoped for in this area of knowledge; very well researched and the images and computer generations were mind blowing
December 28, 2020
If you think the oceans of today are dangerous.... wait until you read this book!
July 30, 2021
This is a neat book about the large marine reptiles of the Great Interior Seaway, and is apparently based off of a film. There are lots of images and photos.
April 23, 2010
A fun, well written National Geographic publication with lots of realistically horrifying artwork sure to make you never step foot into the ocean ever again. Definitely brings out your inner 10 year old.
June 14, 2012
Good illustrations.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews