Review by Booklist Review
Having survived an attack by a bull shark, which took off his right hand and leg, author and diver de Gelder is a staunch advocate for animals, especially sharks. He is a frequent diver for Discovery's Shark Week programs, and here he writes a clear and succinct guide to all things shark. The chapter on the anatomy of the shark, which encompass over 500 species, is engrossing, starting with the razor-sharp teeth that can regrow to the five different types of fins to the incredible olfactory system that allows a shark to detect a carcass from miles away. He also discusses the evolution of the shark, which used to look more like an eel. Sharks have existed for 400 million years and have survived five mass-extinction events, but unfortunately, humans are now driving many sharks to extinction. De Gelder hopes to incite his readers into action to protect all marine life. From the smallest shark, the lantern shark (about 8 inches) to the largest, the whale shark (up to 60 feet), de Gelder provides an informative narrative for the shark enthusiast and casual reader alike.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Library Journal Review
De Gelder (host of the podcast The Dirt Down Under) is a shark-attack survivor and former Australian Navy clearance diver who lost part of an arm and a leg to a bull shark in 2009. Instead of turning to fear and vengeance, he turned to compassion--becoming immersed in knowledge that he shares during Discovery Channel's Shark Week and in lectures around the world. This book is an accessible look at sharks, misunderstood creatures of the ocean. It explores several facets of what the scientific community has learned about them and their impact on the environment. The author covers different types of sharks, where they live, what they eat, possible explanations of why they attack, and more. In an effort to increase awareness that humans should stop consuming sharks and be cautious about what they eat and use from their habitats, de Gelder shares the startling facts about chemical buildup in shark meat and breaks down some of the policies in place to protect these mysterious predators. VERDICT The information in this enjoyable book will cause readers to ponder whether sharks are really the scary creatures that humans project them to be.--Elizabeth Majka
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