Great Waters: An Atlantic Passage

by Deborah Cramer

A history and environmental analysis of the Atlantic Ocean offers a close-up look at human reliance on the sea and its bounty, the ecological damage inflicted on the Atlantic by human intervention, the changing face of the ocean floor, and the threatened existences of its inhabitants, in a multidisciplinary study.

Genres: Science, Nature, Nonfiction

442 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Glorianna Davenport · Rating 5 out of 5]

"An Atlantic tide pool is a piece of the ocean, left by the receding sea. Small, its breadth within reach, I can walk its perimeter, see clearly into its depths..." From this tide pool, Deborah Cramer journey encompasses the ebb and flow from the rocky coast of Newfoundland and Gulf of Maine to vast reaches of the Sargasso. As Cramer explores and embraces her epic subject scientifically, she poetically weaves together the complex themes of watery life, formative time, ceaseless motion. I purchased this book based on a recommendation from an MIT colleague. "The new Rachel Carson" he proclaimed. My own take: read Deborah Cramer in her own right and enjoy her exquisite curation of a modern understanding of water: its beginnings, the transformations of its geology and ecosystems from Pangea onward, the ocean as a food web harboring a complex array of life, and water as a finite resource. This is a knowledge- and life-changing read!

[Smoothfin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good one to keep on the shelf to come back to every now and then. Parts of it can be read as stand-alone, so it comes in very handy for re-reading pieces of it when I'm not sure what I want to start next. Well-written, part history, oceanography, biology, geology, and chemistry and physics all making up the whole. Very interesting and informative.

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cramer writes about the history, the challenged present, and the precarious future of the Atlantic Ocean. Her book reinforces the message Rachel Carson's"The Sea Around Us." It is a sobering message about the human impact on the ocean.

[Leda Frost · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful science writing mixed with some light memoir and philosophy; the history of the Atlantic Ocean is laid out here in demystifying view with expectedly marked considerations toward our exploitation of its waters and what it may mean for the future of humanity and the planet.

[Heidi Bakk-Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me forever to read this book, mainly because vast portions of it were so goddamned depressing. My favorite section was Part III, about the distant past, because it was less so. However, it is eloquent and even poetic. Excellent reading.

[Michelle Bizzell · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing in this sweeping examination of the Atlantic Ocean was very lyrical. In some cases that made for beautiful passages about the importance of the ocean to everyone's life. In others it lead to long, difficult paragraphs about geology riddled with metaphors that didn't quite make sense. I was hoping to learn more about oceanography and geology, which were both featured prominently, but I think I missed some of detail. The other sections were stronger.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was probably the best science writing I've ever read. Cramer's descriptions of the Atlantic Ocean were amazingly comprehensive, smoothly flowing from its ecosystems to general circulation to geological formation to human impact . . . and more. She obviously did extensive research and put a lot of thought in how she weaved together the many strands of details. It was at times breath-taking and sobering.

The book was also personally interesting because the author went to sea on a ship I've sailed in for 10 days. It was super cool to relive some of those great memories through her when she referenced her journey.

Some parts seemed a little long, but she's a good writer so I didn't mind so much.

[Dave · Rating 2 out of 5]

I confess I haven't finished this. I think the science is there but the writing style is too breathless for me to grasp. Early on the author redefines 'passage' so we know what she means and dispenses with the definite article 'the' in referring to the Atlantic; for her whales swim in Atlantic. I may complete it- maybe not.

[George Mack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent in depth study of Atlantic ocean ecology. Deborah Cramer covers everything from bacteria and viruses to plate tectonics. Not an in depth study of any individual component but a broad sweep of the Atlantic environment and our impact. An incredible read!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not quite the audience for this book, but I think, for the right reader--one with little scientific background but with interest in the oceans--this is a very fine choice. Approachable, lyrically written, and a very good introduction to the issues facing our backyard ocean today.

[Anne Thessen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I met the author. She's an amazing person. She writes beautifully about the oceans.

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

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