Chasing Science at Sea

July 7, 2008
The sea has always inspired tales of adventure and discovery in the face of a vast, unpredictable unknown. Prager, chief scientist at the undersea research station Aquarius Reef Base, in the Florida Keys, uses adventure to frame this collection of firsthand accounts about the challenges faced by marine scientists. But adventure is a far cry from glamour: research often means close quarters on a small ship, usually with bad food, infrequent showers and changeable weather, as well as long days of collecting data. With tongue only slightly in cheek, Prager offers advice for any field scientist: “always bring spare pencils” and be prepared for things to go wrong, from pirates to valuable equipment getting lost or damaged. In exchange, scientists look forward to the sense-of-wonder moments: swimming with whale sharks, seeing St. Elmo’s Fire dance along the rigging. Focused on adventure rather than in-depth science, this entertaining book will appeal most to casual and younger readers. 4 color and 28 b&w illus.

July 15, 2008
"Going into the field is an exciting, challenging, and inspiring part of doing ocean science; it is also essential," writes Prager, currently chief scientist of the undersea research station, Aquarius Reef Base. Using anecdotes from colleagues and from her own career, she succeeds in showing the reader that doing science can be both fun and thrilling, especially when it involves work in and on the ocean. She also reminds us that field research is important to doing good science and that learning more about the world's oceans is essential to our future. The book is well written, and its informal, easy-to-read style will make it appealing to young adults interested in science as a future career as well as a great adjunct reading assignment for science classes in high school and college. Recommended for public, high school, and college libraries. [For other accounts on the joys of scientific fieldwork, see Margaret D. Lowman's "Life in the Treetops", Marty Crump's "In Search of the Golden Frog", and Kate Jackson's "Mean and Lowly Things".Ed.]Margaret Rioux, MBLWHOI Lib., Woods Hole, MA

Copyright 2008 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2008
Prager, chief scientist of the worlds only undersea station, in Florida, presents a well-organized introduction to marine science enlivened by the story of herown personal path into the profession. Through dozens of anecdotes of wave scientists, marine geologists, tsunami researchers, underwater archaeologists, and many others, Prager casually reveals the vast number and variety of interests pursued in the sea. She speaks to one expert about tumor viruses affecting undersea creatures and another whose specialty is bioluminescence. Everyone has a story of discovery to share, and Pragers ability to zero in on astonishing facts makes for anenormously appealing book. The heavy emphasis on fieldwork allows scientists to stress the more exciting aspects of the profession (from watching whale sharks feed to skirting the edges of a hurricane). As an unorthodox handbook for would-be ocean scientists, this title is invaluable. Pair it with William Sargents Writing Naturally (2006) to reveal the way to a personally fulfilling scientific career.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)