Sensuous Seas: Tales of a Marine Biologist

by Eugene H. Kaplan

Learning marine biology from a textbook is one thing. But take readers to the bottom of the sea in a submarine to discover living fossils or to coral reefs to observe a day in the life of an octopus, and the sea and its splendors come into focus, in brilliant colors and with immediacy.


In Sensuous Seas , Eugene Kaplan offers readers an irresistibly irreverent voyage to the world of sea creatures, with a look at their habitats, their beauty and, yes, even their sex lives. A marine biologist who has built fish farms in Africa and established a marine laboratory in Jamaica, Kaplan takes us to oceans across the world to experience the lives of their inhabitants, from the horribly grotesque to the exquisitely beautiful. In chapters with titles such as "Fiddler on the Root" (reproductive rituals of fiddler crabs) and "Size Does Count" (why barnacles have the largest penis, comparatively, in the animal kingdom), Kaplan ventures inside coral reefs to study mating parrotfish; dives 740 feet in a submarine to find living fossils; explains what results from swallowing a piece of living octopus tentacle; and describes a shark attack on a friend.


The book is a sensuous blend of sparkling prose and 150 beautiful illustrations that clarify the science. Each chapter opens with an exciting personal anecdote that leads into the scientific exploration of a distinct inhabitant of the sea world--allowing the reader to experience firsthand the incredible complexity of sea life.


A one-of-a-kind memoir that unfolds in remarkable reaches of ocean few of us can ever visit for ourselves, Sensuous Seas brings the underwater world back to living room and classroom alike. Readers will be surprised at how much marine biology they have learned while being amused.

Genres: Science, Nature, Biology, Nonfiction, Animals, Natural History

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Cienna · Rating 2 out of 5]

So the scientific information was very good but unfortunately the writing of this old white man has aged very poorly. Very sexist in many areas and offensive slurs used at least once. I wish the dude's personality was taken out of this so I could just read about the animal behavior.

[Samuel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ancedotes from marine biology. Interesting, although the lack of a central flow can make the book seem somewhat disjointed.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this a really interesting & informative book & liked the line drawings as they often helped his explanations of unfamiliar creatures. Don't think the science was dated even if his attitudes about women were a bit. Not a book to be read straight through - at least not for me; I'd read a couple of the chapters/essays & then take a break, then read more another day. Liked his conversational style of writing which got across the science without making it feel like you were reading a textbook

[Andie HD · Rating 4 out of 5]

A funny book that teaches you a lot about marine life!!

[Deanna Necula · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful read with a wealth of information that was for the most part fascinating. The narrative was pleasant and the author boosted the story with a number of experiences and encounters of him with the plethora of marine life. Though it no sense does it read as a "textbook", I found that it is the sort of book that can't be read cover to cover in one sitting; the information can be a little tiring and overwhelming, and, though rarely, a little dry. But overall, I would definitely recommend this to those interested in the nature and wildlife, not to mention those in love with the ocean. Even for those with no special interest in these things will guaranteed find a tid-bit of information that will cause you to deeply admire the natural world and say "Wow!". I applaud this book and the author, both of whom are filled with enticing knowledge and are irresistibly interesting.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a collection of vignettes from the teaching and research career of Kaplan. Kaplan uses "headline" stories to bring the reader, and students, into the biology/ecology of marine systems and details the natural history. You walk away with an awe of marine organisms as well as a nice brush up and exercise of basic zoology. His epilogue connects with the importance of hands on experience in teaching. Very enjoyable read. Recommended for all interested in the natural history of animals and for teachers.

[Logan Plonski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining and educational. Gave me a lot of weird facts to tell my friends. Mr. Kaplan has a great narrative voice, although his off-color jabs at feminists and ignorance about queer people rubbed me the wrong way. However, I don't expect bell hooks to be knowledgeable about marine biology, so while it would be ideal, I can't expect intersectional feminism from a book about fish. The book also has a very helpful glossary and index in case you're using it for specific research, although I just read it cover to cover.

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

"If you remove one eyestalk of a crustacean, reproduction will occur frequently. If you are greedy and remove both eyestalks, the female will remain in a sexually receptive mode all the time. She will literally fornicate herself to death."
-- p. 150, Sensuous Seas

[MerryMeerkat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute book. I love all of the references to other books. I was really hoping Owen would love this, but so far has shown no interest. Maybe in the future he'll like it. But I thought it was very nicely done, art wise and story wise.

[Chrystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everybody'll want to become a marine biologist after they read this book.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Couldn't finish it - not as interesting or detailed as others on my list. Thought it jumped around too much without any consistency between stories and stories which seemed outdated.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned all sorts of cool things from this book!!

[Maxine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining as well as interesting. Looking forward to getting close to the ocean again.