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The Deep: The Hidden Wonders of Our Oceans and How We Can Protect Them
From one of the world's pre-eminent marine biologists comes a dazzling account of the wonders that lie beneath the ocean's surface, and an empowering vision of how we can protect them
Fewer people have been to the deepest part of the ocean than have been to the moon. Even now, the vast majority of this wilderness - which covers over 70% of the planet and forms its largest ecosystem - has never been seen by human eyes, let alone explored or investigated by scientists. Yet our oceans contain perhaps 90% of all life, and the physical and biological processes within it are critical to supporting our existence on Earth.
Professor Alex Rogers has spent the past 30 years studying life in the deep ocean. In this book, he takes us on an epic and utterly unforgettable voyage to an alien world, and brings us right to the edge of what is known about our oceans today. Introducing us to glittering coral gardens, submarine mountains and a range of bizarre and breathtaking sea creatures, many of which he discovered first-hand, Rogers not only illustrates the ocean's enormous and untold impact on our lives, but also shows how we are damaging it catastrophically through pollution, overfishing, and the insidious and global effects of climate change.
Imbued with the author's infectious sense of wonder, and replete with stunning photography of underwater life, The Deep is a magisterial study of a world we are only just beginning to understand - and a profoundly hopeful call to arms for us to reshape our relationship with it, before it is too late.
249 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 18, 2019
53 people are currently reading
1204 people want to read
About the author
Alex Rogers
1 book4 followersLibrarian note: There are multiple authors with this name in this data base. This one is Alex^^^Rogers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
August 14, 2020
Wonderful book about the ocean life written by a marine biologist. It touches on the problems the ocean faces at the moment, and some of the solutions that need to be implemented. Also some research is discussed. I had to get into it for the first chapters, but after a while I couldn't stop reading! It's well written and doesn't feel depressing like some of the books about the ocean do. Definitely recommended to check out! Also, it's not too scientifically written so if you have a tiny bit of basic ocean knowledge, you'll understand the topics discussed.
May 1, 2022
I don't usually two star books that I don't finish, but this is one of those times. In part I wanted to read more about the sea life than Rogers' admirable and committed determination to protect the ocean and its life (and my edition's back cover focuses on the sea life part and not the memoir part. It is far more memoir than about sea life, which is fine but not quite what was advertised). In part, while it is very, very clear that Rogers loves what he does as much as he loves his family, the writing style was not one I found engaging. You could tell that he was "dumbing it down" for none marine biologists. He doesn't do so in an insulting way, and I don't think he believes the readers stupid, but you can pick up on changing how he would phrase something so those of us without the necessary degrees and/or knowledge would understand. And this is good, but it is too obvious that it harms the writing.
March 23, 2025
bought this at a second hand book shop in tallinn, estonia.
a somewhat awesome book. a good NF to have on the go at the same time as a gripper, broken nicely into ~10 relatively independent chapters. unfortunately my main issue is a lot of the topic i already knew a bit too much about so then was kind of boring to me and hard to sift out the good bits (the deep ocean stuff). would prob be more novel (ha, pun intended) for a non marine scientist.
there were pictures in the middle which were very fun but this book would have been made 2 stars better if there were pictures along the way showing all the cool animals old mate was describing. coz there were LOTS of cool animals old mate was describing.
final chapter had some good insights into the future and was on the whole relatively optimistic (still cried). however it didnt really give any punchy statements about how to change as an individual to reduce negative human impacts on the ocean. in defence, it seems to be aimed more to be an educational read than have an agenda, but i think we are too far along to not try have an agenda (especially for the people who actually read to the end). enjoyable to read something mariney though!
a somewhat awesome book. a good NF to have on the go at the same time as a gripper, broken nicely into ~10 relatively independent chapters. unfortunately my main issue is a lot of the topic i already knew a bit too much about so then was kind of boring to me and hard to sift out the good bits (the deep ocean stuff). would prob be more novel (ha, pun intended) for a non marine scientist.
there were pictures in the middle which were very fun but this book would have been made 2 stars better if there were pictures along the way showing all the cool animals old mate was describing. coz there were LOTS of cool animals old mate was describing.
final chapter had some good insights into the future and was on the whole relatively optimistic (still cried). however it didnt really give any punchy statements about how to change as an individual to reduce negative human impacts on the ocean. in defence, it seems to be aimed more to be an educational read than have an agenda, but i think we are too far along to not try have an agenda (especially for the people who actually read to the end). enjoyable to read something mariney though!
December 12, 2025
10.12.2025- [AUDIO]
85%
Returned to this one after a yearning for something familiar and fascinating.
The book is still a high 4 star. Thorough interesting and reminds me why I love this area of science.
The narrator quality however meant I couldn't listen for too long. Not a personal thing, just not for my taste of this oddly expressive version.
Great book though.
04.07.2020-
Technically 4.5 stars.
This is a long one: Tl;tr. An exceptionally important letter to the world about the sheer awesome nature of the oceans. Very hard hitting in some parts, describing the way we are treating it and the very real possibility of trouble the world will be in should it continue. Read this book if you are somewhat interested in the the marine world.
-
This was an interesting one. Immensely interesting actually, and also makes me question if I should have gone and done deep sea biology (and then I remember how sea sick I get and remember why I chose Jungles).
Professor Alex Rogers has written a love letter to the Ocean, specifically that of one of the least known areas of a very unexplored world, that of The Deep. The chapters describing his expeditions in the exploration vessels, ships I have watched while eating lunch at the National Oceanography Centre at the University of Southampton, were captivating. He captured the detail, and feeling of discovering a new deep sea reef, of a snail that could secrete iron to form its own plate armour and to find new species of crab sitting off thermal vents nearly 2km beneath the surface. It really is a fantastic piece of writing plunging you into a journey to discover the amazing world of the depths.
The book then takes a turn. After introducing you to these marvels of nature (most of which we have no idea exist, after all we have only explored 0.001% of the ocean), lays out a careful set of essays describing specifically how our negligence and lack of care is killing the ocean. Not just for future generations, but for our generation. Killing the ocean, an almost unimaginably large quantity of water and life, by over fishing and careless mining, so that the gyres (the circular currents the "power" most of the world's atmospheric conditions) will stop, ecosystems will collapse to the extent they cannot revert back to natural conditions, and the very oxygen we breathe will simply cease to be produced.
This is the formal warning of this review:
Its a hard hitting, exceptional bleak warning. This book pulls no punches. At all. And this comes from a zoologist who has been educated on the state of our oceans from lecturers and professors who advise governments and rules for the protection of these ecosystems and frankly make it their business to find the most depressing and horrific examples of human activity in the ocean.
I had a little difficulty pulling my way through it, but it was more of a case of me wanting to process the points Prof. Rogers made, and look into the examples. He touches on Mining, plastic pollution, chemical pollution, warming oceans and acidification. The dedicated chapter on each topic is meticulously researched and you can see it comes from a place of love, and also that he is only scratching the surface.
This is an overall really important piece of literature that I hope will inspire people to get up and change their ways for the good of our little blue marble of a planet.
To finish, here are the final words of the book; the authors own words on the hope for the future: "[The Deep] is a song for the ocean, one I hope infects its readers with the joy I feel for the life within it. I hope with all my heart that it wakes people up to the perilous situation the ocean is in. By our collective action we can help choose the right road and ensure the ocean remains to support you and fill you and future generations with wonder at its wild and uncompromising beauty."
85%
Returned to this one after a yearning for something familiar and fascinating.
The book is still a high 4 star. Thorough interesting and reminds me why I love this area of science.
The narrator quality however meant I couldn't listen for too long. Not a personal thing, just not for my taste of this oddly expressive version.
Great book though.
04.07.2020-
Technically 4.5 stars.
This is a long one: Tl;tr. An exceptionally important letter to the world about the sheer awesome nature of the oceans. Very hard hitting in some parts, describing the way we are treating it and the very real possibility of trouble the world will be in should it continue. Read this book if you are somewhat interested in the the marine world.
-
This was an interesting one. Immensely interesting actually, and also makes me question if I should have gone and done deep sea biology (and then I remember how sea sick I get and remember why I chose Jungles).
Professor Alex Rogers has written a love letter to the Ocean, specifically that of one of the least known areas of a very unexplored world, that of The Deep. The chapters describing his expeditions in the exploration vessels, ships I have watched while eating lunch at the National Oceanography Centre at the University of Southampton, were captivating. He captured the detail, and feeling of discovering a new deep sea reef, of a snail that could secrete iron to form its own plate armour and to find new species of crab sitting off thermal vents nearly 2km beneath the surface. It really is a fantastic piece of writing plunging you into a journey to discover the amazing world of the depths.
The book then takes a turn. After introducing you to these marvels of nature (most of which we have no idea exist, after all we have only explored 0.001% of the ocean), lays out a careful set of essays describing specifically how our negligence and lack of care is killing the ocean. Not just for future generations, but for our generation. Killing the ocean, an almost unimaginably large quantity of water and life, by over fishing and careless mining, so that the gyres (the circular currents the "power" most of the world's atmospheric conditions) will stop, ecosystems will collapse to the extent they cannot revert back to natural conditions, and the very oxygen we breathe will simply cease to be produced.
This is the formal warning of this review:
Its a hard hitting, exceptional bleak warning. This book pulls no punches. At all. And this comes from a zoologist who has been educated on the state of our oceans from lecturers and professors who advise governments and rules for the protection of these ecosystems and frankly make it their business to find the most depressing and horrific examples of human activity in the ocean.
I had a little difficulty pulling my way through it, but it was more of a case of me wanting to process the points Prof. Rogers made, and look into the examples. He touches on Mining, plastic pollution, chemical pollution, warming oceans and acidification. The dedicated chapter on each topic is meticulously researched and you can see it comes from a place of love, and also that he is only scratching the surface.
This is an overall really important piece of literature that I hope will inspire people to get up and change their ways for the good of our little blue marble of a planet.
To finish, here are the final words of the book; the authors own words on the hope for the future: "[The Deep] is a song for the ocean, one I hope infects its readers with the joy I feel for the life within it. I hope with all my heart that it wakes people up to the perilous situation the ocean is in. By our collective action we can help choose the right road and ensure the ocean remains to support you and fill you and future generations with wonder at its wild and uncompromising beauty."
October 30, 2022
Ich habe dieses Buch mit großer Begeisterung gekauft, da mich die Unterwasserwelt und wissenschaftliche Expeditionen in die Tiefe der Meere seit langem interessieren. Allerdings stellte sich schnell heraus, das dieser Autor zwar eine Menge praktischer Erfahrung auf seinem Gebiet hat und bestimmt mit Begeisterung an dieses Buchprojekt gegangen ist. Erzählerische Fähigkeiten besitzt er allerdings nicht. Ich würde dringend zu einem Ghostwriter raten. Show don’t tell ist überall präsent im Buch, die Sätze sind auf dem Niveau eines Grundschülers aufgebaut, es fehlen Zusammenhänge zwischen den einzelnen Stationen der Erzählung. Der Autor gibt immer wieder mit seiner ach so gefragten Meinung an, berichtet dann aber nicht darüber. Einen roten Faden gibt es nur ansatzweise. Die Fakten und Fotos entsprechen der Wahrheit, aber die sind sogar bei Wikipedia oder jedem normalen Lexikon ansprechender präsentiert. Bahnbrechende neue Erfahrungen oder Erkenntnisse sind ebenfalls nicht vorhanden. Das Buch verspricht so viel mehr als es halten kann. Am Ende sehr enttäuschend. Einen Stern gibt es für die Idee und die Umschlaggestaltung.
April 1, 2021
Das Buch war teilweise sehr wissenschaftlich geschrieben, was ich nicht grundsätzlich schlecht finde. Jedoch hatte ich mir erhofft ein bisschen mehr erzählerisch etwas über das Meer zu lernen. Besonders gefallen haben mir die persönlichen Einblicke in die Expeditionen des Autors. Trotzdem konnte man viel Neues lernen, obwohl ich mich wahrscheinlich nicht an viele Sachen erinnern werde, da sie einfach sehr komplex dargestellt waren. Zudem hat mich es ein bisschen aufgeregt, dass der Autor immer über den Schutz der Meere (und die verheerenden Folgen von Überfischung etc.) sprach aber nie erwähnt hat, den eigenen Fischkonsum einzuschränken bzw. ganz wegzulassen.
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August 26, 2019https://inquisitivebiologist.wordpres...
"I find the deep ocean one of the most fascinating ecosystems on our planet. Perhaps it is the final-frontier aspect, as so much of it remains unexplored (Rogers gives some mind-boggling statistics), or maybe it is the otherworldliness of its inhabitants, but I cannot get enough of reading more about it. Rogers’s fascination started at an early age, encouraged by summer holidays spent out on the ocean with his grandfather, an Irish fisherman. Although he recounts these formative experiences with great fondness, he also recognises the cruelty visited upon the unfortunate fish and lobsters that were caught. . . .
The Deep is an absorbing and passionately written book that successfully combines an eyewitness account of the biological bounty of the deep sea with first-hand reporting on the threats, the conservation initiatives, the (failure of) policies and treaties, the fierce industry lobbying, and the political shenanigans. The Deep is aimed at a general audience and Rogers has decided to leave out literature references, footnotes, and an index. But those omissions are a small price to pay. At a time when we need as many people as possible to take notice, and when a documentary such as Blue Planet II can shake a nation out of its stupor on plastic pollution, good storytelling is a necessary and promising approach."
"I find the deep ocean one of the most fascinating ecosystems on our planet. Perhaps it is the final-frontier aspect, as so much of it remains unexplored (Rogers gives some mind-boggling statistics), or maybe it is the otherworldliness of its inhabitants, but I cannot get enough of reading more about it. Rogers’s fascination started at an early age, encouraged by summer holidays spent out on the ocean with his grandfather, an Irish fisherman. Although he recounts these formative experiences with great fondness, he also recognises the cruelty visited upon the unfortunate fish and lobsters that were caught. . . .
The Deep is an absorbing and passionately written book that successfully combines an eyewitness account of the biological bounty of the deep sea with first-hand reporting on the threats, the conservation initiatives, the (failure of) policies and treaties, the fierce industry lobbying, and the political shenanigans. The Deep is aimed at a general audience and Rogers has decided to leave out literature references, footnotes, and an index. But those omissions are a small price to pay. At a time when we need as many people as possible to take notice, and when a documentary such as Blue Planet II can shake a nation out of its stupor on plastic pollution, good storytelling is a necessary and promising approach."
August 21, 2021
I picked up the book because I thought the book was going to be primarily to be a piece of nature writing about the ocean, but the book also describes how this relates to environmental legislation and personal experiences. Usually each chapter starts off with the personal recollection from his early life or an encounter with an environmental issue while on one of his many expeditions, and will then explain the issue in a more scientific way in order to help you understand why the issue is worth caring about and finally segue into his personal experiences with environmental legislation.
It can get a bit repetitive but Alex is a lucid writer on the subjects - whether it is biological or in his characterization of corporate scientists. What I disliked about the book is that it can occasionally it can go on for too long and chapter 9 felt more like a financial report than a piece of nature writing. I think it's clear that Alex doesn't really like reducing the ocean to a set of numbers in order to convince an audience of why the ocean shouldn't be disrupted for mining.
It can get a bit repetitive but Alex is a lucid writer on the subjects - whether it is biological or in his characterization of corporate scientists. What I disliked about the book is that it can occasionally it can go on for too long and chapter 9 felt more like a financial report than a piece of nature writing. I think it's clear that Alex doesn't really like reducing the ocean to a set of numbers in order to convince an audience of why the ocean shouldn't be disrupted for mining.
April 14, 2020
"Ignorance about what lives in the ocean prevents us from managing it sustainably, but, more to the point, our failure to understand it leads to a lack of appreciation of its value. only with this understanding will humanity truly come to treasure it."
" There is nothing else like the ocean. It is capable of giving moments that in a second will sweep you off your feet and change your life forever. A majesty and a spirit that captures the essence of the wild, of life itself. We cannot let it die..."
" There is nothing else like the ocean. It is capable of giving moments that in a second will sweep you off your feet and change your life forever. A majesty and a spirit that captures the essence of the wild, of life itself. We cannot let it die..."
July 30, 2020
Really informative book about human impact on the ocean. At times the books felt like an information dump with not enough structure, but the message that he brings across is a very important and relevant one. The author also includes personal memoirs about his most exciting trips to the deep, as well as the most disturbing. Everyone should be aware of the issues brought up by Alex Rogers - a must read for all.
February 14, 2020
Very good and informative. Made me sad
March 12, 2022
a must read
September 22, 2019
A good read, to make the reader aware of how climate change has affected life deep in the ocean that we don't normally see.
December 20, 2024
Full of interesting stories and perspectives from all the different aspects of a full time marine scientist - very cool
April 28, 2019
From one of the world’s pre-eminent marine biologists – and a scientific consultant on the BBC’s Blue Planet series – comes a dazzling account of the wonders that lie beneath the ocean’s surface, and an empowering vision of how we can protect them.
Alex Rogers delivers a detailed account of his wildly interesting career and unwavering passion for what lies beneath in The Deep. The pages are filled with anecdotes of deep-sea exploration 5,000 metres down and detailed descriptions of the weird and wonderful sea creatures which inhabit a world we still know little about.
Rogers can spend one day being an advisor to the BBC, consulting on The Blue Planet. Another is spent as a university professor, running a large research team. Aside from the varied and interesting career Rogers has, the common thread of the book is bound strongly by the urgent need to recognise and conserve our precious seas, the giver of life and energy.
“As the ROV passed over the coral, squat pink lobsters disappeared into holes. Close examination with the ROV cameras revealed pairs of eyes reflecting back the lights from inky black holes. It was like flying over a city and watching the residents flee to hide from alien invasion.” – The Deep
Duffy’s Thoughts On The Deep
The Deep is not an eco-warrior piece. It’s not aimed at berating and condescending to those who live, work and rely on the oceans either. Rogers is an intelligent scientist with a career that adds weight to the conservation call. Rogers arguments are based, not on the heart or personal opinion, but on science and expert research. Arguments are balanced and suggested targets and changes are realistic. You can’t help but take notice of Rogers words when presented in such a comprehensive and common sense way.
The Deep is a must-read for anyone interested in the natural world and marine biology. It’s a book full of science, wonder, creatures of the deep and an awe-inspiring career.
Alex Rogers delivers a detailed account of his wildly interesting career and unwavering passion for what lies beneath in The Deep. The pages are filled with anecdotes of deep-sea exploration 5,000 metres down and detailed descriptions of the weird and wonderful sea creatures which inhabit a world we still know little about.
Rogers can spend one day being an advisor to the BBC, consulting on The Blue Planet. Another is spent as a university professor, running a large research team. Aside from the varied and interesting career Rogers has, the common thread of the book is bound strongly by the urgent need to recognise and conserve our precious seas, the giver of life and energy.
“As the ROV passed over the coral, squat pink lobsters disappeared into holes. Close examination with the ROV cameras revealed pairs of eyes reflecting back the lights from inky black holes. It was like flying over a city and watching the residents flee to hide from alien invasion.” – The Deep
Duffy’s Thoughts On The Deep
The Deep is not an eco-warrior piece. It’s not aimed at berating and condescending to those who live, work and rely on the oceans either. Rogers is an intelligent scientist with a career that adds weight to the conservation call. Rogers arguments are based, not on the heart or personal opinion, but on science and expert research. Arguments are balanced and suggested targets and changes are realistic. You can’t help but take notice of Rogers words when presented in such a comprehensive and common sense way.
The Deep is a must-read for anyone interested in the natural world and marine biology. It’s a book full of science, wonder, creatures of the deep and an awe-inspiring career.
August 25, 2023
Gosh, it sure is harder to DNF books that you actually pay for!! As somebody who gets ~95% of their books from the library, I’m typically a big proponent of DNFing. Unfortunately, I struggled with putting The Deep aside since I remember buying this new and at full price, and subsequently felt myself falling into the sunk cost fallacy. Shame on me!
I think from the title/subtitle I expected The Deep to be a history of the ocean and its depths, but I would call this more of a vocational memoir by a leading oceanographer. Does Rogers seem like he knows his stuff? Sure - although there are zero citations and a whole dumping of scientific facts. But the author's delivery in The Deep is so cut and dry that it managed to make what should be an incredibly interesting subject, utterly boring. As the author covers different aspects of the ocean (acidification, coral bleaching, plastics pollution, deep sea fishing, etc.) he accounts his past expeditions and successes in a way that felt mechanical, lacking in both emotion and storytelling. If anything, it felt like a lecture.
I don't doubt that Rogers has a deep love for the ocean and I appreciated his final chapter with both societal and individual suggestions for protecting our ocean. If anything, this book encouraged me to find other books to fit the expectation I had with The Deep. I'm eyeing The Underworld: Journeys to the Depths of the Ocean, Deep: Freediving, Renegade Science, and What the Ocean Tells Us about Ourselves and The Brilliant Abyss!
I think from the title/subtitle I expected The Deep to be a history of the ocean and its depths, but I would call this more of a vocational memoir by a leading oceanographer. Does Rogers seem like he knows his stuff? Sure - although there are zero citations and a whole dumping of scientific facts. But the author's delivery in The Deep is so cut and dry that it managed to make what should be an incredibly interesting subject, utterly boring. As the author covers different aspects of the ocean (acidification, coral bleaching, plastics pollution, deep sea fishing, etc.) he accounts his past expeditions and successes in a way that felt mechanical, lacking in both emotion and storytelling. If anything, it felt like a lecture.
I don't doubt that Rogers has a deep love for the ocean and I appreciated his final chapter with both societal and individual suggestions for protecting our ocean. If anything, this book encouraged me to find other books to fit the expectation I had with The Deep. I'm eyeing The Underworld: Journeys to the Depths of the Ocean, Deep: Freediving, Renegade Science, and What the Ocean Tells Us about Ourselves and The Brilliant Abyss!
July 31, 2019
Highly readable scientific memoir. This fascinating book made me even more concerned for the planet, but inspired to take personal action. The research process with its highs and lows is described in some detail, but never too technical. The deep oceans are less explored than I realised, but commercial exploitation has started to wreck eco systems.
This book explains very well why we should care more and be active in the conservation debate.
This book explains very well why we should care more and be active in the conservation debate.
June 25, 2020
Invoking both wonder and horror, The Deep is an urgent and captivating book on the fascinating life forms in our oceans and the many threats they face. See my full review at https://inquisitivebiologist.com/2019...
April 18, 2023
I really enjoyed this book but gave it a 3 as it is not gripping. However, Alex Rogers is an expert on the ocean, what is in it, how it works, what humans are doing to destroy it, and how it can be remedied. I learned an enormous amount from reading this book and anyone who is interested in the climate would enjoy it.
April 30, 2023
entering my science era 🧫🧬🧪🔬⚗️
May 1, 2020
While I'm obsessed with nautical topics, marine biology itself might not be the peak of it. I basically inhaled this book, but I also felt quite lost at times. And sadly, I only found the glossary once I've finished it.
I think another problem, very me-specific, was the abundance of all kinds of names. I tend to get very confused once you throw a bunch of names at me and I just tend to drown them out, resulting in me basically unaware of what I'm reading.
I also originally had a bit of a different expectation - I thought this was going to tell the same message, but in a prose-like manner, a bit of lyrical expressions here and there. It reads as prose, but definitely closer to academic writing than poetic writing. Which I didn't mind per se, but it threw me off at the beginning.
Also, one thing about conservation that always makes me very sad - how little one can do as an individual. At the end, the book provides ways to try and save our oceans. However, as someone who is quite invested already, I already do/ or am aware and I'm trying to do most of those things. However, a very large increment of those measures is also up to big organisations and companies. I wish we could do more as individuals. Having to rely on the 'bigger fish' and still being urged to do more as an individual...can't help but feel a little helpless.
I think another problem, very me-specific, was the abundance of all kinds of names. I tend to get very confused once you throw a bunch of names at me and I just tend to drown them out, resulting in me basically unaware of what I'm reading.
I also originally had a bit of a different expectation - I thought this was going to tell the same message, but in a prose-like manner, a bit of lyrical expressions here and there. It reads as prose, but definitely closer to academic writing than poetic writing. Which I didn't mind per se, but it threw me off at the beginning.
Also, one thing about conservation that always makes me very sad - how little one can do as an individual. At the end, the book provides ways to try and save our oceans. However, as someone who is quite invested already, I already do/ or am aware and I'm trying to do most of those things. However, a very large increment of those measures is also up to big organisations and companies. I wish we could do more as individuals. Having to rely on the 'bigger fish' and still being urged to do more as an individual...can't help but feel a little helpless.
May 6, 2022
“[Climate change] is ever-present in my mind, like something permanently in my peripheral vision” (p. 34)
This book has it all: scientific terms and concepts elaborated on and explained in ways comprehensible to readers previously entirely unfamiliar with the field without being patronizing, personal accounts that well and truly drive home the rapid change for the worse the ocean has been undergoing within even only one person’s lifetime/career, and an overview of the sheer diversity and wealth of study subjects/topics and life that the ocean contains.
I found reading it incredibly enriching and it has only solidified my fascination with and love of the ocean and my determination to do my part or at least anything and everything in my power to help. I feel this book has equipped me with a good starting point to delve deeper into marine science and a good understanding on the basis of which I can follow ocean-related news and studies.
It’s written in a no-nonsense, matter-of-fact way instead of overly poetic or stylistically elaborate, which I think is necessary considering the gravity and urgency of the subject matter. I will absolutely read and be consulting this book again and am hoping for the best for the ocean and for us. Hope we’ll all make it.
This book has it all: scientific terms and concepts elaborated on and explained in ways comprehensible to readers previously entirely unfamiliar with the field without being patronizing, personal accounts that well and truly drive home the rapid change for the worse the ocean has been undergoing within even only one person’s lifetime/career, and an overview of the sheer diversity and wealth of study subjects/topics and life that the ocean contains.
I found reading it incredibly enriching and it has only solidified my fascination with and love of the ocean and my determination to do my part or at least anything and everything in my power to help. I feel this book has equipped me with a good starting point to delve deeper into marine science and a good understanding on the basis of which I can follow ocean-related news and studies.
It’s written in a no-nonsense, matter-of-fact way instead of overly poetic or stylistically elaborate, which I think is necessary considering the gravity and urgency of the subject matter. I will absolutely read and be consulting this book again and am hoping for the best for the ocean and for us. Hope we’ll all make it.
August 6, 2020
Review #32 of my 52 week book challenge: The Deep.
This was a bit of an off book purchase for me. I saw it at an airport bookstore and had quite the deliberation with myself whether or not to purchase it. The clincher was that the back matter talked about water stewardship and sustainability. Maybe I'd learn a thing or two.
And, I did. This book is super interesting in its graphic description of our oceans and the amazing life living beneath the waves. The author probably goes into too much detail, which can be very taxing for non-scientific readers. What the book didn't really touch on, at least to my satisfaction, was environmental stewardship.
At the end of the day, I'm still on the fence about this one. I guess it all comes down to what you're looking for.
To find out why I started my 52 week book challenge, what I've been reading, and how you can get involved, check out my original LinkedIn Publisher article or follow me.
This was a bit of an off book purchase for me. I saw it at an airport bookstore and had quite the deliberation with myself whether or not to purchase it. The clincher was that the back matter talked about water stewardship and sustainability. Maybe I'd learn a thing or two.
And, I did. This book is super interesting in its graphic description of our oceans and the amazing life living beneath the waves. The author probably goes into too much detail, which can be very taxing for non-scientific readers. What the book didn't really touch on, at least to my satisfaction, was environmental stewardship.
At the end of the day, I'm still on the fence about this one. I guess it all comes down to what you're looking for.
To find out why I started my 52 week book challenge, what I've been reading, and how you can get involved, check out my original LinkedIn Publisher article or follow me.
July 15, 2021
This is probably one of the most important books you should read in 2021.
Dr Alex Rogers has managed to make an eminently readable - and scientifically credible-book about the oceans, how little we understand them, how vital they are to our continued existence, to reversing climate change, and, despite imparting grave grave news of the oceans health, he still finds hope in several excellent examples of how the tide of ocean acidification, coral bleaching and loss of biodiversity can be turned to the betterment of all of us.
I cannot, having immediately finished the book provide you with a snappy synopsis, and were I to do so, I rather feel I would diminish the impact. However, if you are at all concerned with the ever present and rapidly growing dangers of climate change, or even if you just want to read about some squid, this book is one you must add to your TBR pile.
Dr Alex Rogers has managed to make an eminently readable - and scientifically credible-book about the oceans, how little we understand them, how vital they are to our continued existence, to reversing climate change, and, despite imparting grave grave news of the oceans health, he still finds hope in several excellent examples of how the tide of ocean acidification, coral bleaching and loss of biodiversity can be turned to the betterment of all of us.
I cannot, having immediately finished the book provide you with a snappy synopsis, and were I to do so, I rather feel I would diminish the impact. However, if you are at all concerned with the ever present and rapidly growing dangers of climate change, or even if you just want to read about some squid, this book is one you must add to your TBR pile.
July 9, 2024
I was going to give this two stars but for some reason didn’t end up feeling the need. This book did not end up being what I expected. It is not a memoir per se or a deep dive (no pun intended) into the oceans as I have found other similar books to be. This was a series of essays regarding dangers that face the ocean, concluding with ways we can help combat them. Unfortunately, the authors bias shows a few times. I felt it unnecessary to take shots at a certain political party specifically at the same time he was trying to say climate change was everyone's problem, for instance; this happens twice in the book. I also think his method of explaining tough concepts was inconsistent. Sometimes he would be broad others he would get TOO specific, which is honestly what lead to me skimming parts of the book. Overall would not read again
August 7, 2024
This book was so painful to get through. I expected an authoritative book on the ocean and its secrets just like it was promised on back cover but instead I found myself reading a memoir with an extensive account of the author’s expeditions and emotions. The predominance of the author’s and his team’s feelings was aggravating. I could have obtained the same knowledge by reading a few articles without bothering to buy an entire book. I fell into the sunk cost fallacy and slowly and painfully got through the entire book although I hated it. Not to mention that the writing style wasn’t engaging at all. Although I have to admit that there were the occasional interesting facts and insights of which I had no previous knowledge despite having watched many documentaries about the ocean but like I said I could have just read a few articles.
October 31, 2023
He tenido que aparcarlo durante un buen tiempo por los sentimientos de rabia y frustración absoluta que me estaba generando. Si eres buzo y amante total del mar como yo, mejor no leerlo porque solo te darán más ganas de unirte a Sea Shepherd o algún otro grupo e ir a quemar balleneros.
Al margen de eso es un libro lleno de curiosidades históricas, científicas y sociales súper interesantes contadas por un apasionado y defensor de primera linea del océano. Alex Rogers consigue transmitir la fascinación de cada éxito y de cada descubrirmento como is fueras parte de su equipo.
Gracias por vuestro trabajo.
Al margen de eso es un libro lleno de curiosidades históricas, científicas y sociales súper interesantes contadas por un apasionado y defensor de primera linea del océano. Alex Rogers consigue transmitir la fascinación de cada éxito y de cada descubrirmento como is fueras parte de su equipo.
Gracias por vuestro trabajo.
November 16, 2023
I loved this book, not only a fantastic scientific and adventure non-fiction account of the author's work in marine biology - but an amazing account of discovery and advocacy for the ocean. I'd highly recommend this book for anyone with an interest in the sea, biodiversity, and climate change. It does not follow the usual tale of a depressing climate change tome, but instead focuses on places that need our protection, places already saved from destruction, and how science and research are a big part of protecting areas and places. And a healthy dose of amazing encounters with sea creatures they just discovered as they went along.
April 4, 2020
I was largely unaware of deep sea mining of diamonds, gold, and zinc; there are cold water coral reefs in the North Sea, which are already being destroyed; the deep ocean is barely explored but already being destroyed; hydrothermal vents may be the key to understanding the genesis of life, but are in danger of being mined and destroyed; that humans in only the 20th century killed 99% of blue whale and fur seal populations.
I was not fully aware of the effects of climate change on ocean acidification ; of increasing areas of hypoxic seas; that herring populations are in crisis.
I was not fully aware of the effects of climate change on ocean acidification ; of increasing areas of hypoxic seas; that herring populations are in crisis.
October 28, 2020
Rogers makes a compelling case for the practical actions required to preserve and protect ocean life and resources. (Spoiler: it is both easier and more important than you think.) Perhaps more importantly, he makes the emotional case for the ocean as its own world full of unexplored wonders, a thriving set of ecosystems, each as complex and full of life as the deepest tropical rainforest. There are enough weird life forms here to fill a thousand Star Wars stories, and Rogers' love for discovering and understanding them shines through.
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