The Curious World of Seaweed

by Josie Iselin

Marine algae are the supreme eco-engineers of life: they oxygenate the waters, create habitat for countless other organisms, and form the base of a food chain that keeps our planet unique in the universe as we know it. In this beautiful volume Josie Iselin explores both the artistic and the biological presence of sixteen seaweeds and kelps that live in the thin region where the Pacific Ocean converges with the North American continent―a place of incomparable richness. Each species receives a detailed description of its structure, ecological importance, and humans’ scientific inquiry into it, told in scientifically illuminating yet deeply reverent and inspired prose. Throughout the writings are historical botanical illustrations and Iselin’s signature, Marimekko-like portraits of each specimen that reveal their vibrant colors―whether rosy, “olivaceous,” or grass-green―and whimsical shapes. Iselin posits that we can learn not only about the seaweeds but also from them: their resilience, their resourcefulness, their poetry and magic.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Nature, Biology, Art

256 pages, Hardcover

Published August 6, 2019

About the author

Josie Iselin is the photographer, author and designer of many books, with new projects always in development in her San Francisco studio, Loving Blind Productions. Her recent books focus on the spectacular forms of seaweed we find at the beach. Her newest book, The Curious World of Seaweed, features sixteen visually rich narratives of our iconic West Coast seaweeds and kelps. It is due out by Heyday in August 2019.

Josie's mission is to produce well-researched and well-designed books that combine art and science, leaving the reader with new information about, and an appreciation for, the world around them. Her writing and art focused on seaweeds, kelp and sea otter put her on the forefront of ocean activism, presenting and working with scientists and groups working to preserve the kelp forests of our Pacific Coast.

Josie holds a BA in Visual and Environmental Studies from Harvard and an MFA from San Francisco State University. For over twenty years Josie has used her flatbed scanner and computer exclusively for generating imagery. She is still captivated by the fluidity with which this technique allows her to render and design with three-dimensional objects. As a fine artist, Josie exhibits large-scale prints at select galleries, museums, hospitals and other public spaces. She has designed a line of luxury scarves and shower curtains. Synthesizing the scientific stories of our coast is her overriding passion, bringing thoughtfulness and stewardship to this extraordinary place of discovery. Visit her website at josieiselin.com.

Reviews

[Jennifer]

A beautifully laid out book featuring accounts of several of the most charismatic seaweed species (feather boa, sea palm, giant kelp, sea grapes, etc.). Illustrations include Iselin's luminous scans as well as antique woodcuts and pressed herbarium specimens. It's not the author's fault that I'm not terribly interested in the history of how specimens were collected and named; I would have preferred more seaweed ecology and physiology and less stuff about humans.

I did learn that the dominant alga of NorCal is not giant kelp but bull kelp, and that we should be pushing for the reintroduction of otters to that part of the coast if we want to restore the ecosystems that kelp forests provide. The bull kelp of northern California has all but disappeared this year, eaten by voracious sea urchins whose populations would naturally have been controlled by otters (before humans wiped them out for their fur). The major hangup here seems to be the abalone divers, who object to the reintroduction of otters (i.e. competition), and are willing to devastate an entire ecosystem for their narrow economic interests.

I might have exclaimed, "Man, humans suck!" a few times while reading, but that's pretty much par for the course when I'm reading natural history.

[Peter Tillman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful book. Iselin is an enthusiastic guide to the world of West Coast marine algae. Her photos and illustrations are great, and the book itself is gorgeous. A good book to read a bit at a time. At least, that's how I read it.

I've now narrowly missed two book talks by the author on her new book. If you get the chance, go see her! She had a 2019 show in Sausalito: https://baynature.org/event/a-seaweed... More: https://www.josieiselin.com/events

We saw her show for her first seaweed book (and the book talk) and enjoyed both -- especially her large blow-up photos of the seaweeds!

Consider this book if you are seriously interested in marine algae and/or seaweed photo-art.
If you are looking for a guidebook, you should try her "An Ocean Garden," https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[George Eppel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is brilliantly written. I didn’t expect to learn so many new beautiful words in a book about seaweeds, but Iselin masterfully uses an excellent vocabulary to describe the stories of these plants. She discusses the attributes of the seaweeds themselves but mostly focuses on their role in their environments and the stories of the women and men who have studied and classified them throughout time. Seaweed is often discussed today in conversations about climate change, natural resources, and marine management practices, but this book is almost entirely focused on seaweed for its own sake and gives you a window into an environment and community which seems truly remarkable.

[Ann Vileisis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Curious World of Seaweed is a total delight! I savored it, reading one chapter at a time.

Jose Iselin’s brilliant, artistic photographs enable us to see seaweed afresh while her thoughtful text draws us to learn about the natural history of sixteen fascinating Pacific coast seaweed species—from the gorgeous feather boa to the luscious sea lettuce and dramatic bull kelp. The book features a stunning array of Iselin’s original photos as well as a collection of historic depictions of seaweeds, including paintings. Iselin’s images draw upon but transcend the tradition of natural history illustration, revealing seaweed’s beauty through lovely compositions and patterns. Ultimately, the book gave me a renewed sense of just how vital these beautiful marine plants are to the natural world –and enthusiasm to learn more about the seaweeds I find in my own shoreline walks.

The book is a good introduction to seaweed and to the history of its study—known as phycology. Iselin describes basic seaweed life history and many interesting adaptations (air floats, holdfasts, pigments, different forms in different life phases). I also enjoyed the way she highlighted the contributions of so many women scientists.

Beyond the information and stories, this is a beautiful artbook that one might enjoy simply paging through, to be dazzled, again and again, by its wondrous images. Finally, the book has high production values –it has beautiful embossed hard back cover with gold lettering, and the images are crisp and colorful. For these reasons, it would make a lovely gift for anyone who loves nature or the ocean.

The author has a very cool book video that you can check out here : https://www.josieiselin.com

[Geoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exceptionally beautiful book. The drawings and illustrations are well exhibited by HeyDay's excellent format. Iselin's own narrative provides a history of taxonomy, a focus on the history or women collecting and studying seaweeds. Her own stories and joyful, well, exuberant embracing of the seaweeds wraps you up in their world. A wonderfully fun book to read during the pandemic.

[Comfort Me With Nature · Rating 4 out of 5]

I keep coming back to this book to look at the photos/illustrations. Just lovely.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must own this book.

[db · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautiful reference book.

[Juli Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful and informative, but less poetic than I would have liked.

[Jasper · Rating 5 out of 5]

i loved this book -- nice scientific / naturalist depth and expose on a dozen or so seaweeds