National Geographic Ocean: A Global Odyssey

by Sylvia A. Earle

Discover the world's ocean--from tides and currents to the creatures living in it to the impact it has on our lives, whether we know it or not--in this richly illustrated overview of the life force that defines and sustains our planet, written by world-renowned oceanographer Sylvia Earle.
Everything you want to know about the ocean can be found inside these beautiful and dynamic pages. National Geographic Ocean unveils the power and significance of our planet's watery essence: the fundamental importance of the ocean in shaping Earth's climate and chemistry as well as its vital role in supporting a multitude of life-forms, including our own human race.
World-renowned oceanographer and National Geographic Explorer in Residence Sylvia Earle--affectionately called "Her Deepness"--guides readers with her lyrical style and inspiring wisdom, describing the evolution, beauty, and impact of our ocean; the challenges it faces, such as climate change, plastic, and overfishing; and the myriad ways we can help protect it.
This comprehensive reference explains the fundamental science of the ocean--from plate tectonics to seawater makeup, including a fascinating illustrated guide to marine life, from sponges, kelp, and zooplankton to whales, sharks, and sea turtles. More than 100 maps and diagrams, including seafloor and political maps of all Earth's seas and oceans, elucidate Dr. Earle's authoritative text.
For seaside dwellers and landlubbers alike, this is a book you will turn to again and again to understand why, as Sylvia Earle says, "Everyone, everywhere is inextricably connected to and utterly dependent upon the existence of the sea."
Dive deeper into ocean discovery with more National Geographic favorites:
Into the Deep
The Nature of Nature
100 Dives of a Lifetime
Secrets of the Whales
Pristine Seas
Shark

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Nature, Environment, Biology, Education

512 pages, Hardcover

First published November 16, 2021

About the author

Sylvia A. Earle is an American oceanographer, aquanaut, and author.

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything you ever needed to know about the ocean systems of our planet is contained in this big, beautiful book. The oceans are vital to our lives, and Earle is an authority on the subject. She presents oceans’ history, behavior, contents (though I’m not sure I needed a 20-page breakdown of species Kingdom and Phylum), and significance in bite-sized chunks that are accompanied by gorgeous photographs. But the underlying theme is how humans have affected the oceans’ health and how it will impact the future of the planet. That message is reiterated so often, it almost becomes depressing knowing how such a vast system has become so corrupted, polluted, and depleted. Otherwise, it was an educational and informative book, and the detailed atlases of the oceans at the end are a great resource.

I received a complimentary copy of this book via TLC Book Tours.

[Brook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful National Geographic book by Sylvia Earle. I purchased this book because one of my photographs is featured in it, but I would have enjoyed it anyway. There are many wonderful photographs of the world underwater and the text is beautifully written. It's more of a coffee table book than something you would sit down and read.

[Gina N · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extraordinary! This is a memorable read that delves into the genesis of everything oceanic. The photography is brilliant and captivating! Loved it!

[Jeannette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didnt really read this book so much as looked at the stunning pictures, read the boxes and little bits, the captions and such. Thus my rating is on the book as a whole minus a lot of text that I didnt actually plod through. Even so, its a bountiful beautiful tribute to the world's oceans by a splendid author and multiple photographers. I love it and dip in the sea of words and pics from time to time.

[Johnnysbookreviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Defiantly a book I would skim due to the vast amount of information in the book. However, there's a lot of good information, dialogue, and pictures on the Ocean. The Ocean is still a mystery, and there are still vast amount of information we don't know about it.

[Edward · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading the type of book that I often read when I was young. These kind of books made nature and science a life long interest.

[Sunita M]

No surprising, as a National Geographic publication the photograrphy is beautiful. Maps included lend detail and interest.

I got this as a gift for our daughter and her husband who enjoy SCUBA diving.

In just the first few minutes of skimming through the book I learned several facts about the ecology that it involves. MovieBox Pro

[Ross Thrasher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome encyclopedia of the seven seas, beautifully illustrated.