Kraken The curious, exciting, and slightly disturbing science of squid

Throughout history, people have feared squids, octopuses, and other cephalopods, describing them as hideous and disturbing. With huge, unblinking eyes, arms connected directly to their heads, lightning-quick stingers, and suckers or teeth where fingers should be, these invertebrates loom as monsters in unsympathetic human imagination. With the ability to camouflage their bodies and to grow new limbs, they seem as far from our kin as any creatures in the animal kingdom. Ironically, marine scientists have discovered that these usually shy creatures have relatively large brains, highly developed nervous systems, and the ability to learn and solve laboratory puzzles, making cephalopods nearly ideal subjects for medical research aimed at advancing treatments for human neurological diseases; just as important, neurosurgeons practice on squid. In this illustrated natural history, science journalist Williams entertainingly recounts her visits with cephalopods and the curious scientists studying them in research centers on both East and West Coasts.--Roche, Rick Copyright 2010 Booklist

Did you know that your brain bears a strong resemblance to that of the giant squid and that studying the squid's brain may offer insight into a cure for Alzheimer's? Environmental journalist Williams (Cape Wind) traces sightings of the giant squid throughout the centuries. This sea monster was long dismissed as a legend until a 19th-century naturalist reeled in one of the organism's ten appendages. Discussion of the anatomy, physiology, reproduction, evolution, and taxonomy of Architeuthis is provided, along with accounts of the author's visits to various scientific laboratories and descriptions of research studies being conducted on the animal. VERDICT This volume provides background information to whet readers' curiosity and can be supplemented by Richard Ellis's The Search for the Giant Squid, which is a more comprehensive study. On its own, this serves as a good introduction to the subject for general readers and an inspiration to young people interested in marine biology.-Judith Barnett, Pell Marine Science Lib., Univ. of Rhode Island, Kingston (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Kraken is the traditional name for gigantic sea monsters, and this book introduces one of the most charismatic, enigmatic, and curious inhabitants of the sea: the squid. The pages take the reader on a wild narrative ride through the world of squid science and adventure, along the way addressing some riddles about what intelligence is, and what monsters lie in the deep. In addition to squid, both giant and otherwise, Kraken examines other equally enthralling cephalopods, including the octopus and the cuttlefish, and explores their otherworldly abilities, such as camouflage and bioluminescence. Accessible and entertaining, Kraken is also the first substantial volume on the subject in more than a decade and a must for fans of popular science. Praise for KRAKEN: The Curious, Exciting, and Slightly Disturbing Science of Squid  "Kraken is an engaging and expansive biography of a creature that sparks our imagination and stimulates our curiosity. It's a perfect blend of storytelling and science."  -Vincent Pieribone, author of Aglow in the Dark KRAKEN extracts pure joy, intellectual exhilaration, and deep wonder from the most unlikely of places--squid. It is hard to read Wendy Williams's luminous account and not feel the thrill of discovery of the utterly profound connections we share with squid and all other living things on the planet. With wit, passion, and skill as a storyteller, Williams has given us a beautiful window into our world and ourselves. --Neil Shubin, author of the national bestseller " Your Inner Fish "  Wendy William's KRAKEN weaves vignettes of stories about historical encounters with squid and octopus, with stories of today's scientists who are captivated by these animals. Her compelling book has the power to change your world-view about these creatures of the sea, while telling the gripping, wholly comprehensible story of the ways in which these animals have changed human medical history. --Mark J. Spalding, President, The Ocean Foundation Excerpted from Kraken: The Curious, Exciting, and Slightly Disturbing Science of Squid by Wendy Williams All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.