Sharks

June 1, 2014

This concise yet comprehensive volume is written for the serious shark fan of any age. In contrast to many sensationalized coffee-table books filled with large color photos, it presents the natural history, biology, and behavior of sharks and aims "to debunk some myths and spark additional interest in these fascinating animals." While not technical or scholarly, it includes new, verified information on topics such as shark ecology, reproduction, foods and feeding, interactions with humans, and the role of sharks in mythology, religion, art, and literature. Helfman (ichthyology, Univ. of Georgia) and Burgess (Florida Museum of Natural History, Univ. of Florida) each became interested in the subject as youths and continued their studies to the doctoral level. They assure younger readers that the study of sharks and their relatives is an extensive, valid, and active branch of biology. Written in a question-and-answer format for the educated, but nonspecialist layperson, the book emphasizes the need for species conservation by preventing pollution, overfishing, and habitat destruction. It is intended as an update to Victor G. Springer and J.P. Gold's Sharks in Question. While The Shark Almanac by Thomas B. Allen (1999) covers many of the same topics, the present work is fuller and better organized. VERDICT Highly recommended, this volume is enhanced by photos and drawings. Valuable knowledge is presented in appendixes that include classification; organizations that promote the study and conservation of sharks; and websites that contain useful and accurate information.--Judith B. Barnett, Univ. of Rhode Island Lib., Kingston

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