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Octopus and Squid: The Soft Intelligence
English, French (translation)
304 pages, hardback
First published January 1, 1973
5 people are currently reading
353 people want to read
About the author
Jacques-Yves Cousteau
204 books170 followersBorn in 1910, was a French naval officer, explorer, ecologist, and filmmaker, who studied the sea. Although he is most famous to us from his television programmes, he also co-developed the aqua-lung, and pioneered marine conservation as a political and scientific priority.
In the Calypso, an ex-Royal Navy minesweeper, Cousteau visited the most interesting waters of the planet. During these trips he produced many books and films. He gained three Oscars for; The Silent World, The Golden Fish, and World Without Sun, as well as many other top awards including the Palme d'Or in 1956 at the Cannes Film Festival.
Cousteau liked to call himself an "oceanographic technician". He was in reality a sophisticated lover of nature who found a way of communicating complex scientific and biological concepts to ordinary people. While he was criticised at the time by some academics for failing to express science 'properly', his work permitted many people to explore the resources of the "blue continent". As an example of his influence, in 1975, folk singer John Denver composed the song "Calypso" as a tribute to Cousteau and his research ship Calypso. The song reached the number one position on the Billboard 100 charts.
Cousteau's work did a great deal to popularize knowledge of underwater biology and was featured in the long-lived documentary television series The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau which began in 1968. On January 11, 1996, the Calypso sank in Singapore harbour. Cousteau died on June 25, 1997 - his work is continued by his son Jean-Michel and his grandson Fabien, who studies sharks from a custom-built shark-shaped submarine.
In the Calypso, an ex-Royal Navy minesweeper, Cousteau visited the most interesting waters of the planet. During these trips he produced many books and films. He gained three Oscars for; The Silent World, The Golden Fish, and World Without Sun, as well as many other top awards including the Palme d'Or in 1956 at the Cannes Film Festival.
Cousteau liked to call himself an "oceanographic technician". He was in reality a sophisticated lover of nature who found a way of communicating complex scientific and biological concepts to ordinary people. While he was criticised at the time by some academics for failing to express science 'properly', his work permitted many people to explore the resources of the "blue continent". As an example of his influence, in 1975, folk singer John Denver composed the song "Calypso" as a tribute to Cousteau and his research ship Calypso. The song reached the number one position on the Billboard 100 charts.
Cousteau's work did a great deal to popularize knowledge of underwater biology and was featured in the long-lived documentary television series The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau which began in 1968. On January 11, 1996, the Calypso sank in Singapore harbour. Cousteau died on June 25, 1997 - his work is continued by his son Jean-Michel and his grandson Fabien, who studies sharks from a custom-built shark-shaped submarine.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 6, 2019
This is an absolutely beautiful book. It’s basically both a physiological and psychologic examination of one of Earth’s misunderstood, mysterious group of specimens: the cephalopod, done by Jacque Cousteau and his group of experienced divers. It’s absolutely fascinating, and reading this book never fails to put a smile on my face with Cousteau’s affectionate prose regarding these beautiful creatures...and gaping in shock at their incredible musculature and dexterous skill in acrobatics and escapist nature from the smallest of apertures.
Of course, he also talks about their intelligence, and whether labeling them as such is observing them with a humanoid monicker instead of looking at the way their minds function as a whole different species. We tend to study animals with human monickers to make them easier to research. but in the end, we must come to face that our own intelligence is limited, and that the abstract minds of such beautiful creatures will remain an enigma wrapped in a mystery.
Of course, he also talks about their intelligence, and whether labeling them as such is observing them with a humanoid monicker instead of looking at the way their minds function as a whole different species. We tend to study animals with human monickers to make them easier to research. but in the end, we must come to face that our own intelligence is limited, and that the abstract minds of such beautiful creatures will remain an enigma wrapped in a mystery.
July 6, 2017
I felt like a kid again; curling up on a midsummer night, a breeze billowing the curtains, as I read Jacques Cousteau and studied pictures of the deep-sea, of octopuses, squid, and cuttlefish.
Cousteau writes, "As for the octopus, it has been pulled from the water, killed with a bite between the eyes, reduced to a gelatinous mass, thrown on the sand of a beach or the concrete of a pier; and then it has been judged to be slimy and repugnant, without beauty or intelligence." His text showed me the elegance and genius of this eight-armed cephalopod.
Cousteau writes, "As for the octopus, it has been pulled from the water, killed with a bite between the eyes, reduced to a gelatinous mass, thrown on the sand of a beach or the concrete of a pier; and then it has been judged to be slimy and repugnant, without beauty or intelligence." His text showed me the elegance and genius of this eight-armed cephalopod.
September 11, 2023
This book has been translated into Dutch with the beautiful title: Inktvissen, schrander en schroomvallig
August 13, 2009
Octopus and Squid: The Soft Intelligence, starts off with one of the best titles a book could possibly have. And from thereon in, it swiftly becomes "Everything you need to know about cephalopods, but were too afraid to ask."
The book is a nice blend of personal experience, cultural perceptions of the creatures concerned, and science. It paints a beautiful picture of the octopus as a gentle, alien creature of inhuman intelligence, and details their lives in a way that encourages great affection for the little critters. Indeed, part of the aim of the book is to dispel the myths of octopi and their kin as man-eaters.
The appendix is an eductation in itself, filled with pictures of the anatomy and varieties of squid and octopi. There is even a chapter devoted to the prehistoric nautilus, surely the strangest of the cephalopods.
A wonderful read that plunges you into oceans of new, exciting facts.
The book is a nice blend of personal experience, cultural perceptions of the creatures concerned, and science. It paints a beautiful picture of the octopus as a gentle, alien creature of inhuman intelligence, and details their lives in a way that encourages great affection for the little critters. Indeed, part of the aim of the book is to dispel the myths of octopi and their kin as man-eaters.
The appendix is an eductation in itself, filled with pictures of the anatomy and varieties of squid and octopi. There is even a chapter devoted to the prehistoric nautilus, surely the strangest of the cephalopods.
A wonderful read that plunges you into oceans of new, exciting facts.
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October 28, 2016A photo of Cousteau and a younger, sexier diver in speedos!
One whole chapter more than you ever wanted about the nautilus!
Scanty 1970s knowledge about the octopus!
Sexism couched as charming compliments towards an American female scientist!
Vaguely disturbing illustrations and dated underwater photography!
A grudge against Victor Hugo! (How dare you malign the cephalopod, Vic!)
Many, many rapt, sincere anecdotes about octopuses!
All this, plus more! In "Octopus and Squid: The Soft Intelligence" (What does the title even mean!?)
One whole chapter more than you ever wanted about the nautilus!
Scanty 1970s knowledge about the octopus!
Sexism couched as charming compliments towards an American female scientist!
Vaguely disturbing illustrations and dated underwater photography!
A grudge against Victor Hugo! (How dare you malign the cephalopod, Vic!)
Many, many rapt, sincere anecdotes about octopuses!
All this, plus more! In "Octopus and Squid: The Soft Intelligence" (What does the title even mean!?)
November 17, 2011
The nerdiest book I have ever read? Possibly. There is a reason there aren't many reviews of this book. I guess in the wide world of books, an in-depth look at octopuses isn't high on most people's lists. But, I actually find it fascinating. The book is 2/3 scientific observation, 1/3 adventure. Not a 'must-read' on anyone's list, but intriguing for most divers I would guess.
July 31, 2008
Fascinating
July 12, 2009
These mollusks are curious and amazing
May 15, 2017
Great information for the time that it was written.
September 19, 2023
While somewhat outdated who doesn't want to learn about octopods and their life cycle? Especially after watching 'My Friend the Octopus'
October 3, 2023
Very interesting book about all things octopus.
May 30, 2024
This book has a lot of great information (though some is out-of-date) and beautiful pictures. I recommend it to anyone who likes cephalopods!
August 22, 2025
Jacques Cousteau is a legend of French science and animal filmography, an ambassador of the sea. I noticed this book laying around in my mom's house and although I know Cousteau's legacy, I realized I had never watched any documentary directly from him, or read any of his books. After having read this one, I can comfortably say that Cousteau was decades ahead of his time. The number of things his team discovered about octopuses in the 1970s is outstanding. I watched much more recent documentaries about cephalopods that didn't do the topic quite as much justice as this book. It was very fun reading about both the scientific trivia about these fascinating animals, as well as the adventures Cousteau and his team lived on his ship.
note: I read the book in French, but Goodreads doesn't have the French version
note: I read the book in French, but Goodreads doesn't have the French version
August 26, 2013
I read this book when I was 8 or 9 y/o. Neat book, GREAT underwater photographs, and I've always admired and respected Jacques Cousteau (R.I.P.). However, the short shrift the author gives to the cuttlefish & squid prevents me from giving this book a full 5 stars.
September 22, 2016
How can you go wrong with Team Cousteau? This documents some of Cousteau's eight-armed adventures in the briny. Wonderful descriptions -- almost as good as watching one of his films. Not to be missed!
May 8, 2007
Disgusting creatures.
July 11, 2015
Very anecdotal book, focus on octopuses. Nice pictures and lots of interesting things to learn.
November 20, 2008
the sea is horrifying.
October 12, 2017
Octopus and Squid: a Soft Intelligence by Jacques Cousteau is a research novel about the lives of some of the oceans most elusive creatures. Published in 1973 and not originally written in English the story was later translated by J.F. Bernard. Some may recognize the name Cousteau as the inventor of the aqualung, the first underwater breathing apparatus, but Jacques Cousteau had many other scientific feats. Throughout his long life Jacques Cousteau traveled the world to gain an understanding of the mysteries of the underwater world. During these voyages aboard his research vessel, the Calypso, Cousteau traveled the world to learn about world wide marine life. This book is a nonfiction research documentary of Cousteau’s experiences with cephalopods as well as his worldwide travels aboard his research vessel.
In the book Cousteau retells a lot of his past experiences with ocean life for the purpose of showing that octopi and squid are misunderstood. With personal testimony and evidence from his travels, Cousteau disproves the old myths and legends about octopi. The main purpose of his personal experiences is to give substantial evidence that cephalopods do not follow the stereotypes they are given. When Cousteau presents these arguments they are quite convincing not only to his first hand testimonial but also due to the structure of his argument. Whenever presenting an argument of the opposite side in the book Cousteau first explains what the other side of the argument is, gives his research data, then gives his own opinion. Seeing the research before reading Cousteau’s opinion is the main reason that the arguments are so convincing. Overall Cousteau’s story is well thought out in both a research manner as well as a storytelling manner. Something that I assumed would be an obstacle before reading the book was the possibility of translation errors. Given the fact that Jacques Cousteau is French the book was translated from its original French into English. Often times when books are translated from one language into another language barrier prevent the authors purpose from being completely clear. Contrary to my prediction the book preformed well and there was no point where I thought the meaning was unclear. The translation was clear and made for an enjoyable reading experience.
The only problem that occurred after reading the book and looking at the table of contents was the overwhelming amount of information on Octopi but a seemingly lacking amount of information on squid. Due to the title of the book being “Octopus and Squid...” one would infer that the book would cover both topics equally rather than focusing on mainly one. Unfortunately only two out of twelve chapters go in depth on squid, but, ironically, the chambered nautilus received its own chapter. While it is understandable that technology of the time made it hard to obtain information from the deepest parts of the ocean, due to the books published date being 1973, but given that Squid is in the title of the book one would expect that there was at least enough information to add another chapter on our jet propelled friends.
In the end I would recommend “Octopus and Squid: a Soft Intelligence” to anyone who enjoys the ocean. Due to this book being a research book I was pleasantly surprised that there were so many personal life stories from Cousteau himself. Despite the fact that the book had been translated from French I could find no translation errors. Overall the book gives a new perspective on the lives of cephalopods and disproves the myths about them. Given the only error I could find in the book being the lack of writing on Squid the overall product was wonderful.
In the book Cousteau retells a lot of his past experiences with ocean life for the purpose of showing that octopi and squid are misunderstood. With personal testimony and evidence from his travels, Cousteau disproves the old myths and legends about octopi. The main purpose of his personal experiences is to give substantial evidence that cephalopods do not follow the stereotypes they are given. When Cousteau presents these arguments they are quite convincing not only to his first hand testimonial but also due to the structure of his argument. Whenever presenting an argument of the opposite side in the book Cousteau first explains what the other side of the argument is, gives his research data, then gives his own opinion. Seeing the research before reading Cousteau’s opinion is the main reason that the arguments are so convincing. Overall Cousteau’s story is well thought out in both a research manner as well as a storytelling manner. Something that I assumed would be an obstacle before reading the book was the possibility of translation errors. Given the fact that Jacques Cousteau is French the book was translated from its original French into English. Often times when books are translated from one language into another language barrier prevent the authors purpose from being completely clear. Contrary to my prediction the book preformed well and there was no point where I thought the meaning was unclear. The translation was clear and made for an enjoyable reading experience.
The only problem that occurred after reading the book and looking at the table of contents was the overwhelming amount of information on Octopi but a seemingly lacking amount of information on squid. Due to the title of the book being “Octopus and Squid...” one would infer that the book would cover both topics equally rather than focusing on mainly one. Unfortunately only two out of twelve chapters go in depth on squid, but, ironically, the chambered nautilus received its own chapter. While it is understandable that technology of the time made it hard to obtain information from the deepest parts of the ocean, due to the books published date being 1973, but given that Squid is in the title of the book one would expect that there was at least enough information to add another chapter on our jet propelled friends.
In the end I would recommend “Octopus and Squid: a Soft Intelligence” to anyone who enjoys the ocean. Due to this book being a research book I was pleasantly surprised that there were so many personal life stories from Cousteau himself. Despite the fact that the book had been translated from French I could find no translation errors. Overall the book gives a new perspective on the lives of cephalopods and disproves the myths about them. Given the only error I could find in the book being the lack of writing on Squid the overall product was wonderful.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews