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Shark: The Illustrated Biography
A marvelously illustrated look at the life of the shark
No two species of shark have the same life history, yet these magnificent creatures share many things in common. This one-of-a-kind narrative biography brings together a wide array of species from habitats around the globe, examining the biology, ecology, and behavior of sharks as well as their cultural role in human history. Written by two experienced shark educators, scientists, and conservationists, The Illustrated Biography blends engaging profiles of selected species with captivating illustrations to offer an unparalleled exploration of the life and times of the shark.
Features a beautiful and informative array of watercolorsTells the biographical story of the shark using the life histories of representative species, from birth and early family life to adolescence and the adult yearsDiscusses sharks of all kinds, such as Shortfin Makos, Sandbar Sharks, Spiny Dogfish, Great Whites, Tiger Sharks, Basking Sharks, Angel Sharks, and Great HammerheadsCovers evolutionary history, distinguishing features, habitats, reproduction, and migrationExamines the role of sharks in art, music, literature, spirituality, and mythologyAn essential, must-have reference for shark lovers everywhere
No two species of shark have the same life history, yet these magnificent creatures share many things in common. This one-of-a-kind narrative biography brings together a wide array of species from habitats around the globe, examining the biology, ecology, and behavior of sharks as well as their cultural role in human history. Written by two experienced shark educators, scientists, and conservationists, The Illustrated Biography blends engaging profiles of selected species with captivating illustrations to offer an unparalleled exploration of the life and times of the shark.
Features a beautiful and informative array of watercolorsTells the biographical story of the shark using the life histories of representative species, from birth and early family life to adolescence and the adult yearsDiscusses sharks of all kinds, such as Shortfin Makos, Sandbar Sharks, Spiny Dogfish, Great Whites, Tiger Sharks, Basking Sharks, Angel Sharks, and Great HammerheadsCovers evolutionary history, distinguishing features, habitats, reproduction, and migrationExamines the role of sharks in art, music, literature, spirituality, and mythologyAn essential, must-have reference for shark lovers everywhere
- GenresNonfictionAnimals
224 pages, Hardcover
Published March 25, 2025
10 people are currently reading
181 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 4, 2025
Sharks. The teeth in that wide inviting grin. The speed. The sheer persistence of a very successful existence for roughly 450 million of years. They just can’t help but be incredibly fascinating.
I know I’m late for Shark Week, but terrestrial week of camping got in the way of the review (having internet connection is overrated, frankly), but who says a forest is not the best place to read about the lords and ladies of the ocean? (There were lakes and streams in the background, if that counts).
This is one of those books that make me happy I went back to reading quite a bit in the non-ebook format. This is a lovely book just to hold in your hands, and a pleasure to read even in the dimming campfire light. There are no photos but rather watercolor illustrations, and it looks very good.
Although I pray to Poseidon to never ever encounter a shark in its natural habitat, I can’t help but be absolutely fascinated by all the amazing adaptations honed by hundreds of millions of years of developing quintessential sharkness that makes us, human, seem like soft and squishy upstarts that should be awed by ocean royalty.
Sharks are different, to say the least. Their reproduction is quite something. Saving sperm to use later, how about that? Intrauterine cannibalism, anyone? Adaptations to prevent toothy fetuses from chomping on mom? The adolescent shark years, banding together and trying to grow into predators while avoiding being prey.
And of course, the fear that comes to our imaginations when seeing the inviting toothy grin, that of multiple layers of very sharp teeth. The fear that led to the success of “Jaws” and immediate attempts to happily cull the sharks populations, because humans are impressionable idiots. More cows kill people than sharks do, and more people drown when entering sharks natural habitat without any help from those sharp rows of teeth, but tell it to the loosening sphincters when seeing that smile.
5 stars.
——————
Also posted on my blog.
“This book is an unauthorized biography, since obtaining permissions, and hence cooperation, from the subjects would be a bit of a bridge too far.”
I know I’m late for Shark Week, but terrestrial week of camping got in the way of the review (having internet connection is overrated, frankly), but who says a forest is not the best place to read about the lords and ladies of the ocean? (There were lakes and streams in the background, if that counts).
This is one of those books that make me happy I went back to reading quite a bit in the non-ebook format. This is a lovely book just to hold in your hands, and a pleasure to read even in the dimming campfire light. There are no photos but rather watercolor illustrations, and it looks very good.
Although I pray to Poseidon to never ever encounter a shark in its natural habitat, I can’t help but be absolutely fascinated by all the amazing adaptations honed by hundreds of millions of years of developing quintessential sharkness that makes us, human, seem like soft and squishy upstarts that should be awed by ocean royalty.
“If you are ever lucky enough to touch a shark, make sure you don’t stroke backward or you may end up with a nasty case of shark burn — there is a silver lining: if that happens, you can claim to have been bitten by a shark, since the scales are miniature teeth!”
Sharks are different, to say the least. Their reproduction is quite something. Saving sperm to use later, how about that? Intrauterine cannibalism, anyone? Adaptations to prevent toothy fetuses from chomping on mom? The adolescent shark years, banding together and trying to grow into predators while avoiding being prey.
“This means the female can retain sperm in her oviducal gland for an extended duration after mating, releasing the sperm to fertilize her eggs only when she is ready.”
And of course, the fear that comes to our imaginations when seeing the inviting toothy grin, that of multiple layers of very sharp teeth. The fear that led to the success of “Jaws” and immediate attempts to happily cull the sharks populations, because humans are impressionable idiots. More cows kill people than sharks do, and more people drown when entering sharks natural habitat without any help from those sharp rows of teeth, but tell it to the loosening sphincters when seeing that smile.
5 stars.
——————
Also posted on my blog.
June 17, 2025
Excellent detail and very readable. Full of interesting information. Suitable for all readers.
June 2, 2025
amazing
July 8, 2025
FANTASTIC
This is another smash hit from Daniel Abel, I love the passion for sharks that comes out in this book, Sophie Maycock was absolutely the right person for the job here. Their love of sharks gives an informative look into these creatures for casual readers and marine enthusiasts alike.
The illustrations are also absolutely gorgeous, I absolutely love this art style. It reminds me of Leonard Cronin's key guides which I have so much nostalgia for. It makes every page a visual treat, hitting the mark for both beauty and biological accuracy.
An amazing book on sharks, very informative on so many aspects of a shark's lifespan, not just the flashy chompy aspects that many books focus on.
If I could give this book more than 5 stars, I would
This is another smash hit from Daniel Abel, I love the passion for sharks that comes out in this book, Sophie Maycock was absolutely the right person for the job here. Their love of sharks gives an informative look into these creatures for casual readers and marine enthusiasts alike.
The illustrations are also absolutely gorgeous, I absolutely love this art style. It reminds me of Leonard Cronin's key guides which I have so much nostalgia for. It makes every page a visual treat, hitting the mark for both beauty and biological accuracy.
An amazing book on sharks, very informative on so many aspects of a shark's lifespan, not just the flashy chompy aspects that many books focus on.
If I could give this book more than 5 stars, I would
July 28, 2025
Grounded in fact and shorn of sensationalism, this is a great first book on shark biology for non-biologists. Read the full review at https://inquisitivebiologist.com/2025...
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews