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The sea around us

The middle of the 20th century was an groundbreaking time for the scientific study of the seas, with an increasing ability to explore their depths, as well as new knowledge from geology and biology. Rachel Carson's The sea around us allows the reader to participate in some of the excitement of this time. Of course, many of the topics are no longer new, but this classic work is very much still worth reading for Carson's unique 'word picture' descriptions, and her deep love of the seas which it demonstrates.

The first part of the book is concerned with life in the seas, starting with a look at how it evolved and going on to look at the nature of life in various marine environments, and in particular in the depths of the ocean. The second part of the book examines the movement of the seas, looking at waves, tides and ocean currents. The final part looks at man's relationship with the sea - the benefits which it provides for us. The book covers a wealth of material in a small space, but never seems hurried, and it is recommended to readers who want to learn about the seas but also appreciate the inspiring nature of Carson's writing.

Amazon.com info

Paperback 288 pages
ISBN: 0195069978
Salesrank: 235948
Weight:0.4 lbs

Published: 1991 Oxford University Press, USA

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Amazon.co.uk info

Paperback 288 pages
ISBN: 0195069978
Salesrank: 65346
Weight:0.4 lbs

Published: 1997 Oxford Paperbacks

Amazon price £8.60

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Amazon.ca info

Hardcover 320 pages
ISBN: 0195147014
Salesrank: 61161
Weight:2.8 lbs

Published: 2003 Oxford University Press

Amazon price CDN$ 54.95

Marketplace:New from CDN$ 32.25:Used from CDN$ 43.94

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Product Description
Published in 1951, The Sea Around Us is one of the most remarkably successful books ever written about the natural world. Rachel Carson's rare ability to combine scientific insight with moving, poetic prose catapulted her book to first place on The New York Times best-seller list, where it enjoyed wide attention for thirty-one consecutive weeks. It remained on the list for more than a year and a half and ultimately sold well over a million copies, has been translated into 28 languages, inspired an Academy Award-winning documentary, and won both the 1952 National Book Award and the John Burroughs Medal. This classic work remains as fresh today as when it first appeared. Carson's writing teems with stunning, memorable images--the newly formed Earth cooling beneath an endlessly overcast sky; the centuries of nonstop rain that created the oceans; giant squids battling sperm whales hundreds of fathoms below the surface; and incredibly powerful tides moving 100 billion tons of water daily in the Bay of Fundy. Quite simply, she captures the mystery and allure of the ocean with a compelling blend of imagination and expertise. Reintroducing a classic work to a whole new generation of readers, this Special Edition features a new chapter written by Jeffrey Levinton, a leading expert in marine ecology, that brings the scientific side of The Sea Around Us completely up to date. Levinton incorporates the most recent thinking on continental drift, coral reefs, the spread of the ocean floor, the deterioration of the oceans, mass extinction of sea life, and many other topics. In addition, acclaimed nature writer Ann Zwinger has contributed a brief foreword. Today, with the oceans endangered by the dumping of medical waste and ecological disasters such as the Exxon oil spill in Alaska, this illuminating volume provides a timely reminder of both the fragility and the importance of the ocean and the life that abounds within it. Anyone who loves the sea, or who is concerned about our natural environment, will want to read this classic work.

Product Description

Published in 1951, The Sea Around Us is one of the most remarkably successful books ever written about the natural world. Rachel Carson's rare ability to combine scientific insight with moving, poetic prose catapulted her book to first place on The New York Times best-seller list, where it enjoyed wide attention for thirty-one consecutive weeks. It remained on the list for more than a year and a half and ultimately sold well over a million copies, has been translated into 28 languages, inspired an Academy Award-winning documentary, and won both the 1952 National Book Award and the John Burroughs Medal.
This classic work remains as fresh today as when it first appeared. Carson's writing teems with stunning, memorable images--the newly formed Earth cooling beneath an endlessly overcast sky; the centuries of nonstop rain that created the oceans; giant squids battling sperm whales hundreds of fathoms below the surface; and incredibly powerful tides moving 100 billion tons of water daily in the Bay of Fundy. Quite simply, she captures the mystery and allure of the ocean with a compelling blend of imagination and expertise.
Reintroducing a classic work to a whole new generation of readers, this Special Edition features a new chapter written by Jeffrey Levinton, a leading expert in marine ecology, that brings the scientific side of The Sea Around Us completely up to date. Levinton incorporates the most recent thinking on continental drift, coral reefs, the spread of the ocean floor, the deterioration of the oceans, mass extinction of sea life, and many other topics. In addition, acclaimed nature writer Ann Zwinger has contributed a brief foreword.
Today, with the oceans endangered by the dumping of medical waste and ecological disasters such as the Exxon oil spill in Alaska, this illuminating volume provides a timely reminder of both the fragility and the importance of the ocean and the life that abounds within it. Anyone who loves the sea, or who is concerned about our natural environment, will want to read this classic work.

on the SPECIAL EDITION of this title. ****
This Special Edition features a new chapter [afterward] written by Jeffrey Levinton, a leading expert in marine ecology, who brings the scientific sede of The Sea Around Us completely up to date [1989]. Levington incorporates the most recent thinking on continental drift, coral reefs, the spread of the ocean floor, the deterioration of the oceans, mass extinction of sea life, and many other topics. In addition, acclaimed nature writer Ann Zwinger has contributed a brief forward. [This information copied from the back cover.]

on the SPECIAL EDITION of this title. ****

This Special Edition features a new chapter [afterward] written by Jeffrey Levinton, a leading expert in marine ecology, who brings the scientific sede of The Sea Around Us completely up to date [1989]. Levington incorporates the most recent thinking on continental drift, coral reefs, the spread of the ocean floor, the deterioration of the oceans, mass extinction of sea life, and many other topics. In addition, acclaimed nature writer Ann Zwinger has contributed a brief forward. [This information copied from the back cover.]

wonderful work by R. Carson ****
Rachel Carson's work is still a great place to get insights on the workings of the ocean. Even with the advancement of oceanography and marine biology, the ocean is still a source of wonder and mystery, and still in need of our protection from abuse. Vast as the oceans are, their ecosystems can still be altered by human activity.

wonderful work by R. Carson ****

Rachel Carson's work is still a great place to get insights on the workings of the ocean. Even with the advancement of oceanography and marine biology, the ocean is still a source of wonder and mystery, and still in need of our protection from abuse. Vast as the oceans are, their ecosystems can still be altered by human activity.

Who Says Science & Literature Can't Co-exist Under 1 Cover? *****
Wow!!! It is amazing that this book is over 50 years old. As a high school student, I had to read this book for Ecology. Rachel Carson's book is an eye-opener. It was some 50 years ago. And, it still is. "The Sea Around Us" is truly a classic. Carson gives us all an insight on what would happen if we mistreat the natural environment -- especially the oceans around us. Sadly, today, some of these prophecies are becoming a reality. I agree with a fellow reviewer. This book should be mandatory reading for all students. Maybe if more people read this book, we would all respect nature just a little better.

Who Says Science & Literature Can't Co-exist Under 1 Cover? *****

Wow!!! It is amazing that this book is over 50 years old. As a high school student, I had to read this book for Ecology. Rachel Carson's book is an eye-opener. It was some 50 years ago. And, it still is. "The Sea Around Us" is truly a classic. Carson gives us all an insight on what would happen if we mistreat the natural environment -- especially the oceans around us. Sadly, today, some of these prophecies are becoming a reality. I agree with a fellow reviewer. This book should be mandatory reading for all students. Maybe if more people read this book, we would all respect nature just a little better.

Required reading for anyone who loves the beach *****
It is difficult to believe that this book is over 50 years old. The recommendations are still valid and elusive today. Only when the general public accepts the need to protect the environment will things change. That is why this book should be required reading for all students.

Required reading for anyone who loves the beach *****

It is difficult to believe that this book is over 50 years old. The recommendations are still valid and elusive today. Only when the general public accepts the need to protect the environment will things change. That is why this book should be required reading for all students.

still relevant after 50 years ****
Rachel Carson, a scientist by trade, writes beautifully about the ocean in this book; it was worthy of the National Book Award, which it won in 1951. Carson takes the time to describe generally what was known about the sea at the time of her writing, and is prophetic in her comments about human impact to the world's oceans. While providing the reader with a general scientific discussion of the sea, she also gives us some magical moments: questions about the lost continent of Atlantis, mysteries about the nature of the deepest ocean bottoms, descriptions of lumninescent creatures surfacing in the remotest areas of open ocean. This book is simultaneously great science and great literature, and is essential reading for anyone interested in marine biology or geology, even decades since its original publication.

still relevant after 50 years ****

Rachel Carson, a scientist by trade, writes beautifully about the ocean in this book; it was worthy of the National Book Award, which it won in 1951. Carson takes the time to describe generally what was known about the sea at the time of her writing, and is prophetic in her comments about human impact to the world's oceans. While providing the reader with a general scientific discussion of the sea, she also gives us some magical moments: questions about the lost continent of Atlantis, mysteries about the nature of the deepest ocean bottoms, descriptions of lumninescent creatures surfacing in the remotest areas of open ocean. This book is simultaneously great science and great literature, and is essential reading for anyone interested in marine biology or geology, even decades since its original publication.

All you need to know about the Sea and the Oceans *****
The Sea Around Us is wonderfully written and it's a must for all who are fascinated by the sea and the oceans. Tides and tidal bores, land and underwater rivers, volcanoes, tidal waves, el nino, the impact of weather etc, how our oceans work around the world - east to west and pole to pole - it's all there, clear and concise yet easy to follow.

All you need to know about the Sea and the Oceans *****

The Sea Around Us is wonderfully written and it's a must for all who are fascinated by the sea and the oceans.

Tides and tidal bores, land and underwater rivers, volcanoes, tidal waves, el nino, the impact of weather etc, how our oceans work around the world - east to west and pole to pole - it's all there, clear and concise yet easy to follow.