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The Lady and the Sharks
Eugenie Clark is a shark expert, teacher, scientist, and scuba diver. When people ask Dr. Eugenie Clark what they should do when they see a big shark underwater, she responds... "if it's over 40 feet long and has spots, jump on its back and get the ride of your life."
- GenresNonfictionBiography
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1969
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 23, 2017
Once again I've found a potential mentor too late. I'm so sad to hear Eugenie Clark has died. This book was incredible!
Eugenie Clark had so many wonderful fish-filled adventures and I loved the stories in each anecdotal chapter. My favorites were the deep freshwater dives where they found really old human remains (and a skull that contained a brain!) and when she took a trained shark on a plane to Japan. Plus she trained sharks!
It was interesting reading something that was originally published in 1969. The social and scientific values have changed since she wrote the book. It was sort of jarring at times but I also liked it because it was a great comment on what was "acceptable" in society compared to now.
Eugenie Clark had so many wonderful fish-filled adventures and I loved the stories in each anecdotal chapter. My favorites were the deep freshwater dives where they found really old human remains (and a skull that contained a brain!) and when she took a trained shark on a plane to Japan. Plus she trained sharks!
It was interesting reading something that was originally published in 1969. The social and scientific values have changed since she wrote the book. It was sort of jarring at times but I also liked it because it was a great comment on what was "acceptable" in society compared to now.
December 30, 2019
Like the first book, I wanted to like Clark’s The Lady and the Sharks more than I did. I think she’s such an inspiration, but unfortunately her books read like a listing of scientific facts and recounting of stories in a way that is devoid of emotion. I wish I came away from her books with more of a sense for who she was as a person and the challenges she had to overcome as a scientist, woman, and mother who was so passionate about her work.
July 28, 2019
Eugene Clark is everything I want to be. This is an amazing story on how the famous Mote Marine Lab got started written by its first director. She takes you on stunning adventures and discuss some fish facts too. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves the ocean, fishing, earth, or thrilling real life adventures.
September 11, 2021
I loved this book! Eugenie Clark’s writing is full of vivid imagery as she describes all of her diving adventures and scientific endeavours as well as how her laboratory at Cape Haze got established. The photographs, albeit in black and white, are fascinating to look at as well. A very inspiring and enjoyable read for anyone interested in marine biology.
February 28, 2022
The poor sharks!
June 13, 2023
Amazing book for those studying marine life- especially sharks and rays!
April 12, 2009
After a dry spell of non-reading, during which I was busy finding and starting a new job, here I come again, with a book about the founder of the place I now work.
This book is written by the woman who started Mote Marine Laboratory, back before it even had that name (she's still there today, and I met her this week). Her writing style is plain and uncluttered. The events in the book are often very cool. She dives in a spring and finds super old human skeletons. She gives a specially trained shark to the prince of Japan. She and her crew hook a huge manta ray, which drags their boat along for a long time.
Anyway, if you have any interest in marine biology, this is a fun read. Also, if you have any interest in Florida history, it's up your alley.
I will caution you though--if you have no interest in either subject, this may not be the book for you. The author is a curious researcher to the core, and while some of her subjects might be cool to anyone--can you train a shark? Can sharks see in color?--other topics may seem esoteric--what are the small openings called "abdominal pores" used for in sharks and their relatives?
But the really cool thing about this book is that it describes the first serious marine science in this part of FL--and the woman behind it is very down-to-earth and relatable (which she is in person, too).
This book is written by the woman who started Mote Marine Laboratory, back before it even had that name (she's still there today, and I met her this week). Her writing style is plain and uncluttered. The events in the book are often very cool. She dives in a spring and finds super old human skeletons. She gives a specially trained shark to the prince of Japan. She and her crew hook a huge manta ray, which drags their boat along for a long time.
Anyway, if you have any interest in marine biology, this is a fun read. Also, if you have any interest in Florida history, it's up your alley.
I will caution you though--if you have no interest in either subject, this may not be the book for you. The author is a curious researcher to the core, and while some of her subjects might be cool to anyone--can you train a shark? Can sharks see in color?--other topics may seem esoteric--what are the small openings called "abdominal pores" used for in sharks and their relatives?
But the really cool thing about this book is that it describes the first serious marine science in this part of FL--and the woman behind it is very down-to-earth and relatable (which she is in person, too).
April 6, 2015
I wish she'd been more reflective in the later revisions of this memoir. I admire her greatly, but am appalled by all the creatures she killed and dissected, or even dissected live. I'm sure that it seemed like science at the time, but now that stocks have plunged by 90% or more, it seems very sad, and reading about her eating a giant ray while she dissected it's still beating heart really makes me sad. I found the parts about the crown prince of Japan very touching.
April 30, 2024
This amazing woman devoted her life to learn about sharks starting in 1955 while raising a family, and living along the western shore of Florida. Her work eventually lead to the development of the Mote Marine Lab. As a marine biologist myself I was fortunate to enjoy her company often when attending SCUBA conventions.
December 12, 2012
Light, easy read that touches on highlights of Dr. Eugenie Clark's interesting career as an Ichthyologist.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews