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The Blue Machine: How the Ocean Works
A scientist’s exploration of the "ocean engine"―the physics behind the ocean’s systems―and why it matters. All of Earth’s oceans, from the equator to the poles, are a single engine powered by sunlight, driving huge flows of energy, water, life, and raw materials. In The Blue Machine , physicist and oceanographer Helen Czerski illustrates the mechanisms behind this defining feature of our planet, voyaging from the depths of the ocean floor to tropical coral reefs, estuaries that feed into shallow coastal seas, and Arctic ice floes. Through stories of history, culture, and animals, she explains how water temperature, salinity, gravity, and the movement of Earth’s tectonic plates all interact in a complex dance, supporting life at the smallest scale―plankton―and the largest―giant sea turtles, whales, humankind. From the ancient Polynesians who navigated the Pacific by reading the waves, to permanent residents of the deep such as the Greenland shark that can live for hundreds of years, she introduces the messengers, passengers, and voyagers that rely on interlinked systems of vast currents, invisible ocean walls, and underwater waterfalls. Most important, however, Czerski reveals that while the ocean engine has sustained us for thousands of years, today it is faced with urgent threats. By understanding how the ocean works, and its essential role in our global system, we can learn how to protect our blue machine. Timely, elegant, and passionately argued, The Blue Machine presents a fresh perspective on what it means to be a citizen of an ocean planet.
446 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 2023
About the author
Helen Czerski
5 books238 followersHelen Czerski is a physicist at University College London’s Department of Mechanical Engineering and a science presenter for BBC. She writes a monthly column for BBC Focus magazine called “Everyday Science” that was shortlisted for a Professional Publishers Association Award.
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July 1, 2023
From space, our entire tiny Earth is a blue dot. Blue — the color of the ocean that blankets most of it, making Earth as we know it possible.
For all of us the ocean means something different. A place that can be both relaxing and terrifying. A habitat for countless species, all the way to the largest animals on the planet. A place with terrifying depths and crushing pressures, shrouded in perpetual darkness interrupted by occasional unexpected bioluminescence. A place that is both “non-land” in our perception as well as the route connecting the continents. A place that shapes our weather. A place that still feeds us and sequesters our recklessly released carbon and can turn treacherously dangerous the moment you dare to be careless.
Helen Czerski, clearly passionate about it, chooses to present it as an astonishingly elegant and incredibly complex engine of life that powers all the functions of our planet, fueled by the energy of sunlight.
Czerski’s admiration for the ocean in all its glory is contagious. She’s very knowledgeable and is able to share this knowledge in an easily accessible yet comprehensive manner, with details mixed with gentle humor and reasoned respect for the wonders of the titular “blue machine”. She blends physics, chemistry, marine biology, history and environmental science in a very interesting and engaging oceanography narrative that is a pleasure to read.
For me the most important thing to take from this book besides immense respect for the ocean is the realization that ocean is more than “absence of land” and something that is “not there”. It cannot be ignored, and there are limits to the abuse it can take without it altering the life as we know it.
5 stars.
——————
Thanks to NetGalley and W. W. Norton & Company for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
——————
Also posted on my blog.
For all of us the ocean means something different. A place that can be both relaxing and terrifying. A habitat for countless species, all the way to the largest animals on the planet. A place with terrifying depths and crushing pressures, shrouded in perpetual darkness interrupted by occasional unexpected bioluminescence. A place that is both “non-land” in our perception as well as the route connecting the continents. A place that shapes our weather. A place that still feeds us and sequesters our recklessly released carbon and can turn treacherously dangerous the moment you dare to be careless.
“All of our fresh water is borrowed from the ocean – every cup of tea, every waterfall, 60 per cent of you and me, the most expensive champagne, your dog’s territorial liquid markers, and the snow covering the top of Everest.”
Helen Czerski, clearly passionate about it, chooses to present it as an astonishingly elegant and incredibly complex engine of life that powers all the functions of our planet, fueled by the energy of sunlight.
“The blue of Earth is a gigantic engine, a dynamic liquid power- house that stretches around our planet and is connected to every part of our lives. It has components on every scale, from the mighty Gulf Stream gliding across the Atlantic to the tiny bub- bles bursting at the top of a breaking wave. This is a beautiful, elegant, tightly woven system, full of surprising connections and profound consequences. The complexity can seem over- whelming, but at the largest scale, the logic is straightforward.”
Czerski’s admiration for the ocean in all its glory is contagious. She’s very knowledgeable and is able to share this knowledge in an easily accessible yet comprehensive manner, with details mixed with gentle humor and reasoned respect for the wonders of the titular “blue machine”. She blends physics, chemistry, marine biology, history and environmental science in a very interesting and engaging oceanography narrative that is a pleasure to read.
“In order to avoid ballooning, the turtle also needs to digest everything very quickly, and can probably hold only 25% of its body weight in its gut at any one time. It needs to use up its own energy to stay warm as it gives away energy to the huge amount of seawater passing through. So as it eats, huge plumes of very liquid faeces emerge from the other end. All of this really isn’t a tidy way to live.”
For me the most important thing to take from this book besides immense respect for the ocean is the realization that ocean is more than “absence of land” and something that is “not there”. It cannot be ignored, and there are limits to the abuse it can take without it altering the life as we know it.
5 stars.
——————
Thanks to NetGalley and W. W. Norton & Company for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
——————
Also posted on my blog.
February 9, 2024
This was a good book, but a rather frustrating read. Czerski's outline of the science of oceanography is first-rate. She is a good writer, and I came away with a better understanding of how the ocean works. In particular, her detailed discussion of ocean currents and ocean winds, with a cool worldwide map of both, was one of the book's highlights for me. And I enjoyed almost all of her accounts of her personal field work, and those of some of her colleagues.
Her metaphor of the Blue Machine got old for me and seemed forced. The book needed a strong editor and better focus! There were many instances where I started skimming -- not that I minded that much, because there was almost always something there of interest. But Czerski seems to like writing as a stream of consciousness. Tiring to have to sieve out the good stuff.
Her retelling of a colleague's work in a hydrothermal vent field off the Pacific coast of Washington was great. This particular one was a huge vertical chimney, with a toadstool-like bowl grown out on one side. Very hot water flowed into this bowl, and overflowed it as an upside-down waterfall! Her friend made a remarkable video, which I would love to see. No link, sigh.
She met some native Hawaiians who were recreating historic outrigger ocean-going canoes, and got to paddle with them -- even to surf-ride in a six-paddle canoe off Maui, which sounds like great fun. And she relates some of the historic navigation feats of the early-day Polynesians in the south Pacific. Impressive navigators, in an area with widely-scattered small islands. Still a few of these indigenous navigators around, even now. Except: GPS!
Most of the book sticks to factual accounts. A brief section at the end outlines her thoughts on what needs to be done about climate change. This was the weakest part of the book for me. She says the first step is to stop burning fossil fuels. Well. I immediately thought of China, which is building coal-fired power plants at a furious pace. The Chinese government says these are needed to back-up solar and wind power plants. Burning coal, the dirtiest possible way to make electricity! Or anything else. Sigh. Politics! Dictators!
For me, this was a 3.3 star book. I'm glad I read it. But it could have been so much better!
Here's a thoughtful (and more positive) review of the book at SCIENCE:
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/s...
Her metaphor of the Blue Machine got old for me and seemed forced. The book needed a strong editor and better focus! There were many instances where I started skimming -- not that I minded that much, because there was almost always something there of interest. But Czerski seems to like writing as a stream of consciousness. Tiring to have to sieve out the good stuff.
Her retelling of a colleague's work in a hydrothermal vent field off the Pacific coast of Washington was great. This particular one was a huge vertical chimney, with a toadstool-like bowl grown out on one side. Very hot water flowed into this bowl, and overflowed it as an upside-down waterfall! Her friend made a remarkable video, which I would love to see. No link, sigh.
She met some native Hawaiians who were recreating historic outrigger ocean-going canoes, and got to paddle with them -- even to surf-ride in a six-paddle canoe off Maui, which sounds like great fun. And she relates some of the historic navigation feats of the early-day Polynesians in the south Pacific. Impressive navigators, in an area with widely-scattered small islands. Still a few of these indigenous navigators around, even now. Except: GPS!
Most of the book sticks to factual accounts. A brief section at the end outlines her thoughts on what needs to be done about climate change. This was the weakest part of the book for me. She says the first step is to stop burning fossil fuels. Well. I immediately thought of China, which is building coal-fired power plants at a furious pace. The Chinese government says these are needed to back-up solar and wind power plants. Burning coal, the dirtiest possible way to make electricity! Or anything else. Sigh. Politics! Dictators!
For me, this was a 3.3 star book. I'm glad I read it. But it could have been so much better!
Here's a thoughtful (and more positive) review of the book at SCIENCE:
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/s...
January 28, 2024
یکی از بهترین متنهای علمیای که این اواخر خواندم. هیچوقت به شکلِ علمی به اقیانوسها توجهی نکرده بودم و با خواندنش آن «حسِ لذتِ چیزی که هیچ از آن نمیدانی» را تجربه کردم.
گوگل یک مصاحبه ویدیویی با نویسندهی کتاب کرده که لینکش را اینجا میگذارم: لینک ویدیو
گوگل یک مصاحبه ویدیویی با نویسندهی کتاب کرده که لینکش را اینجا میگذارم: لینک ویدیو
January 8, 2024
Czerski states that the aim of the book "has been to draw the outlines of the Earth's wonderful ocean engine, to show how it works, and to share how it all fits together and why it matters". In my opinion, she has achieved her aim. This is an interesting, in formative and well-written mix of science and history that gives a broad and easily digestible overview of the physical and biological complexity of the ocean. Czerski's main premise is that the entire Earth's ocean, from the equator to the poles, is a single powerful engine powered by sunlight i.e. the "Blue Machine". Czerski covers the biology and physics of the ocean; how nature, shape and anatomy of the ocean influence how it works - salinity, density, temperature, effects of wind, earth's rotation, currents, and geography are discussed; as well as travelling though the ocean as messengers (light and sound), passengers (dissolved atoms, microbes, plankton, animals and plants, and voyagers (those that travel on or through the ocean e.g. humans, penguins, whales). I do feel the book would have benefited from additional diagrams to illustrate concepts.
Note: I love that this book has footnotes instead of endnotes. It's so much easier to glance at the bottom of the page when coming across the relevant symbol, than flipping backwards and forwards constantly.
Note: I love that this book has footnotes instead of endnotes. It's so much easier to glance at the bottom of the page when coming across the relevant symbol, than flipping backwards and forwards constantly.
May 25, 2023
Blue Machine by Helen Czerski is a fascinating exploration of the ocean that encompasses physics and biology as well as history and and concern for the future. The central premise of the book is that all of the earth's ocean, from the equator to the poles is a single powerful engine powered by sunlight. This is obviously a very simplistic deconstruction of a vast and complicated ecological system, and in the course of her book the author elucidates her points in a clear way that make them easy for the lay person to understand. Her passion for her subject shines through in her writing and in the way she incorporates personal stories and anecdotes to link her present to humanity's past and even her fears for the future of the planet. I loved seeing how she was able to tie so many topics together and show how much the "blue machine" has influenced humanity in unexpected ways. I also must give a little shout out to the beautiful cover design, which really highlights the seas and oceans , framing the map of the world in a way that makes us look at it with fresh eyes.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.
September 21, 2023
more than 90% of the ocean remains unexplored. is it true? 🌊
let’s get our facts right.
📑Blue machine: idea that the ocean operates according to specific physical & biological principles (like a well-engineered machine).
The term "Blue Machine" is a metaphor used to describe the Earth's oceans as a complex, interconnected system that plays a fundamental role in shaping our planet's climate, ecosystems, & even human civilisation.
An extraordinary & captivating read on oceans, revealing their profound influence on our world. Czerski's approach to oceanography is extensively eye-opening yet accessible, making this book an essential read for everyone to understand the intricate interplay between the ocean, climate, ecosystems, & human civilisation.
Czerski skillfully weaves together ocean physics with engaging narratives through personal anecdotes & fieldwork experiences, creating an informative narrative. The book masterfully connects the dots between ocean physics, marine life, geography, & the profound impact oceans have had on history & cultures. Addresses & debunk believes; cultural, biases, that are either beneficial or detrimental towards our ocean. By highlighting the intricate patterns & processes within the 'blue machine,' Czerski enables readers, with or without scientific backgroundt, to appreciate the ocean's pivotal role in shaping our planet.
A very fascinating read—how Czerski inspire wonder & awe about the ocean while also conveying the urgency of addressing the environmental challenges it faces. Understanding its ecosystem & how we, humans, contributed to it, definitely shocks me discovering unexpected cases of environmental issues related to the ocean itself, while, we heavily depend on our "blue machine" for livelihood & survival. Czerski's passion for physics shines through & her book serves as call to action, & celebration of the beautiful ocean's anatomy. Offers a profound understanding of why observing ocean health matters & how we can better care for it—an important & remarkable read that will leave you with a deep appreciation for the 'blue planet' we call home. Considering the topic, I personally find this one a bit lengthy compared to her amazing first book on everyday physics (Storm in A Teacup).
let’s get our facts right.
📑Blue machine: idea that the ocean operates according to specific physical & biological principles (like a well-engineered machine).
The term "Blue Machine" is a metaphor used to describe the Earth's oceans as a complex, interconnected system that plays a fundamental role in shaping our planet's climate, ecosystems, & even human civilisation.
An extraordinary & captivating read on oceans, revealing their profound influence on our world. Czerski's approach to oceanography is extensively eye-opening yet accessible, making this book an essential read for everyone to understand the intricate interplay between the ocean, climate, ecosystems, & human civilisation.
Czerski skillfully weaves together ocean physics with engaging narratives through personal anecdotes & fieldwork experiences, creating an informative narrative. The book masterfully connects the dots between ocean physics, marine life, geography, & the profound impact oceans have had on history & cultures. Addresses & debunk believes; cultural, biases, that are either beneficial or detrimental towards our ocean. By highlighting the intricate patterns & processes within the 'blue machine,' Czerski enables readers, with or without scientific backgroundt, to appreciate the ocean's pivotal role in shaping our planet.
A very fascinating read—how Czerski inspire wonder & awe about the ocean while also conveying the urgency of addressing the environmental challenges it faces. Understanding its ecosystem & how we, humans, contributed to it, definitely shocks me discovering unexpected cases of environmental issues related to the ocean itself, while, we heavily depend on our "blue machine" for livelihood & survival. Czerski's passion for physics shines through & her book serves as call to action, & celebration of the beautiful ocean's anatomy. Offers a profound understanding of why observing ocean health matters & how we can better care for it—an important & remarkable read that will leave you with a deep appreciation for the 'blue planet' we call home. Considering the topic, I personally find this one a bit lengthy compared to her amazing first book on everyday physics (Storm in A Teacup).
May 14, 2023
In this fascinating, informative, utterly readable and extremely enjoyable book, Helen Czerski takes us on an exploration of the oceans--the 'blue machine' that we rely on to live, whether we know it or not. Czerski takes a holistic approach. She is interested in the science of the oceans--how they work, the lives of the creatures who live there, the geography and plant life of the oceans and more. That's not all, though--she also investigates how the oceans impact humans, even those living far away. Oceans have shaped history, human cultures, lifestyles, and our habitat and they continue to do so. She states, " The patterns that influence civilizations--weather, resources, culture--are often a consequence of the patterns that the ocean engine generates." (p 45)
In the book, Czerski does a fabulous job of tying all these strands together in a well-written narrative. In each chapter, she writes a bit about her own Scientific fieldwork experiences relevant to the topic at hand. She provides data, but in a very accessible way--you don't need to have a science background to read, enjoy, and benefit from this book. She talks to specialists in specific areas of study and she tells stories based on the research, which is an excellent way to connect with readers. I experienced several 'wow' moments as I was reading and more than once, I stopped to read passages aloud to my husband.
This is the second book by Helen Czerski that I've read and both were excellent. I will not hesitate to read any of her future work--I highly recommend this author.
In the book, Czerski does a fabulous job of tying all these strands together in a well-written narrative. In each chapter, she writes a bit about her own Scientific fieldwork experiences relevant to the topic at hand. She provides data, but in a very accessible way--you don't need to have a science background to read, enjoy, and benefit from this book. She talks to specialists in specific areas of study and she tells stories based on the research, which is an excellent way to connect with readers. I experienced several 'wow' moments as I was reading and more than once, I stopped to read passages aloud to my husband.
This is the second book by Helen Czerski that I've read and both were excellent. I will not hesitate to read any of her future work--I highly recommend this author.
June 23, 2023
Blue Machine beautifully explores how the ocean has affected the world. There was so much new and interesting information that I loved this book. I listened to the abridged version on BBC Sounds and I now want to pick up the whole book.
I noticed it was published by Transworld who recently published another fabulous book called Pathogenesis, which is how viruses have affected the world we live in - also an excellent book.
I noticed it was published by Transworld who recently published another fabulous book called Pathogenesis, which is how viruses have affected the world we live in - also an excellent book.
June 2, 2023
A riveting insight into the world’s oceanography. I found this author’s knowledge and obvious passion for the subject, really inspiring and it’s amazing to learn how things like the food chain amongst the creatures of the ocean, appear to feed off each other and yet keep the chain going. It seems it starts with phytoplankton “gorging on sunlight”. What a mind-blowing thought! Further into the book we’re introduced to what in effect are upside down waterfalls. It’s hard to even try and imagine such a thing but this book is full of magical occurrences going on beneath the surface of the oceans that is really all we we see as land creatures. This is definitely a book to read to learn more about this beautiful part of our world. I’m glad I have. Highly recommended.
June 1, 2024
An odd book. Much like the Blue Machine Czerski describes, the heart of this book is powerful and enigmatic. Unfortunately, like the Blue Machine Czerski describes, this book also has a bunch of junk floating in it.
I know that science non-fiction on this scale is always going to involve some gonzo journalism and the author's personal relationship with whatever's being described is going to be central to the narrative but I can't say I enjoy it much. I don't really need to know how Czerski's hobby of paddling a Hawaiian canoe connects her to the ocean, I have my own personal connection with it. What I want from Czerski is what the subtitle of her book promises me; How The Oceean Shapes Our World, where she sticks to that promise the book is a great read. Some of the rather irrelevant side narratives are also interesting but not really driving the main thesis, then there's just a bunch of junk floating in the sea of words that should have been sifted out by a diligent editor. Czerski has a PHD in bubbles, so fair enough bubbles are going to be really important to her story. That's fine. Write what you know. But the rest of it?
I'm also so sick of the final chapter of these books about our planet and it's fragile environment where the author says they've tried to spare us the gloom of climate change in the main text, but here you go, here it all is in a single dump. And then there's this imploring speech about it's not enough just to know it, we have to care, but it's not enough just to care, we have to act. What that action might be always remains largely mysterious. And so the book inevitably, despite its final feeble efforts, leaves you feeling absolutely powerless and even more certain that there's a big problem you really can't do anything about.
Czerski says we can vote for the right politicians but frankly I live in a country that is "girt by sea". Yep girt by it. We're so girt, it's in the national anthem. And not once have I ever heard an Australian politician talk about the health of the ocean that girts us. Let alone run their political campaign on protecting it. Ok yes, there's a few platitudes towards the Great Barrier Reef but the actual ocean itself never merits a mention. The old hip pocket is how people vote, that and what their online tribe tells them to. So yes the ocean shapes our world but it really is an impossible task getting anyone to care.
I know that science non-fiction on this scale is always going to involve some gonzo journalism and the author's personal relationship with whatever's being described is going to be central to the narrative but I can't say I enjoy it much. I don't really need to know how Czerski's hobby of paddling a Hawaiian canoe connects her to the ocean, I have my own personal connection with it. What I want from Czerski is what the subtitle of her book promises me; How The Oceean Shapes Our World, where she sticks to that promise the book is a great read. Some of the rather irrelevant side narratives are also interesting but not really driving the main thesis, then there's just a bunch of junk floating in the sea of words that should have been sifted out by a diligent editor. Czerski has a PHD in bubbles, so fair enough bubbles are going to be really important to her story. That's fine. Write what you know. But the rest of it?
I'm also so sick of the final chapter of these books about our planet and it's fragile environment where the author says they've tried to spare us the gloom of climate change in the main text, but here you go, here it all is in a single dump. And then there's this imploring speech about it's not enough just to know it, we have to care, but it's not enough just to care, we have to act. What that action might be always remains largely mysterious. And so the book inevitably, despite its final feeble efforts, leaves you feeling absolutely powerless and even more certain that there's a big problem you really can't do anything about.
Czerski says we can vote for the right politicians but frankly I live in a country that is "girt by sea". Yep girt by it. We're so girt, it's in the national anthem. And not once have I ever heard an Australian politician talk about the health of the ocean that girts us. Let alone run their political campaign on protecting it. Ok yes, there's a few platitudes towards the Great Barrier Reef but the actual ocean itself never merits a mention. The old hip pocket is how people vote, that and what their online tribe tells them to. So yes the ocean shapes our world but it really is an impossible task getting anyone to care.
March 31, 2024
4.5 Remarkable. Highly recommended. History, the ocean, everything!
December 16, 2023
A strong editor could have made this book 5 stars. So many stories that have no point and excessive preaching. What does artillery hitting Paris have to do with the ocean?!? and sailing is better than cargo ships because....I could write more but this is a good book to skim. There are lots of interesting things. The largest waterfall on earth is underwater between Iceland and Greenland. The various layers and how the ocean currents work was fascinating. The footnotes are entertaining and informative!
Read
January 26, 2024DNF. A lot of the science talk just goes over my head.
But did I get a few really strong sermon analogies and a deeper appreciation for water? Absolutely.
But did I get a few really strong sermon analogies and a deeper appreciation for water? Absolutely.
January 6, 2024
Czerski's clear passion makes reading The Blue Machine even more enjoyable. I learned a lot and it made me think more about the interconnectedness and the impact the ocean has on the world and survival.
July 7, 2023
This book weaves together physics and biology,history and science in an amazing lyrical manner .Covers everything from enormous currents ,ancient seafarers through to the smallest creatures living in darkness at the bottom of the ocean . Truly shows how the oceans aka the blue machine shapes our world .
August 21, 2023
Fascinating. I had no idea how complex and interconnected everything to do with the ocean is but this book definitely sheds light on some things. My fav piece of info was about the turtle and how it constantly cries to get rid of the salt water 💧
December 16, 2023
Fascinating book, some parts more fascinating than others. Went in thinking it would be more about what lives in the ocean than the actual ocean itself; water patterns, temperature changes and the like. Reading books like this constantly amazes me how seemingly everything on earth is in total synchronicity, helping to stabilize and make sure everyone is fed, cared for. Everything except us, basically. It’s hard not to slip into misanthropy thinking about how we as a species have done innumerable and irreversible harms to this machine that has been running efficiently for millions of years. Anyway happy holidays if you like science and nature check this one out!
March 9, 2024
After reading journalist Susan Casey's The Underworld: Journeys to the Depths of the Ocean, I was hoping to find a similar book written by an actual scientist on a similar topic. Czerski fits the demographic bill -- she has a PhD in physics and has had a robust research career studying ocean bubble acoustics. Unfortunately, I didn't love The Blue Machine -- while the descriptions of the science are sound, I felt like the narrative could be improved by less density and repetition.
June 18, 2024
I loved this book about the different systems of the ocean, and what we know so far about how it operates and influences earth. This book moved me to tears several times in awe and wonder of the complexity of earth, and the magnificence of the intricacy and grandeur of what Helen Czerski calls the ocean engine - it converts energy into so many other things we humans need to survive.
The Blue Machine focuses largely on how the ocean works, with the last section devoted to some of the very serious challenges the ocean faces and the potential impacts it can have on us. I loved how Helen Czerski brought humans into this current picture - we humans have also been on earth for a long time, the idea of a ‘pristine’ ocean is actually quite murky, and we still don’t understand many things about this amazing planet we live on.
This is a wonderful book for anyone interested in how large, complex systems work, loves the ocean and nature, or is curious about how life is supported and sustained on earth.
November 18, 2023
Helt fantastisk! Anbefales på det sterkeste
June 25, 2023
I love to learn about how our planet works and it shapes our life and shaped out history.
This is an informative and fascinating book about oceans and it's highly recommended because you learn a lot and travel to new places that are usually hidden
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
This is an informative and fascinating book about oceans and it's highly recommended because you learn a lot and travel to new places that are usually hidden
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
October 28, 2023
The Blue Machine, How The Ocean Works, Helen Czerski, 2023
Most of us have a very superficial relationship with the ocean. If we deign to visit it all, we transgress mainly into its uppermost layers. We boat or sail on the surface occasionally interacting with some of its top tier predators such as whales, porpoises, orcas, sharks, or seals. As a society we use the ocean as a source of protein, or we use it as a garbage dump. Out of sight, out of mind as the saying goes. Yet the Oceans comprise 70% of the surface area of the earth and 97% of all the water on the planet. They are the places where life began and evolved for over three billion years. It is where we come from. The dynamic currents and energy mass of the oceans affect the climates of all the continents. The complex oceanic ecosystems not only provide us with protein but profoundly affect the livability of our atmosphere. To read Helen Czerski is to take a fascinating dive below the waves as she tries to explain the complex workings of our blue planet’s blue machine, how it makes our planet a haven for life and also the catastrophic dangers we face by over exploiting and destabilizing its complex ecosystems.
As land creatures we are used to assuming that the land features at least in terms of hundreds of years are fixed in place, various ecosystems that exist in tropical rainforests, grassland prairies or alpine peaks stay where they are. The oceans are a completely different realm in that masses of water move and mix along with all the creatures that exist there. As on land, life in the oceans is powered by the sun, hundreds of billions of tons of tiny organisms called phytoplankton are at the base of the system as they absorb sunlight, converting carbon dioxide into carbohydrates and exhaling oxygen. As you move up the food chain, zooplankton consume phytoplankton, using the oxygen to power their eukaryote cells. Krill, tiny shrimplike creatures consume the zooplankton. Pinnacle giant predator 100-ton blue whales consume multiple tons of krill per day. A fascinating sidebar to the fragility of this system relates to the consequences of hunting the blue whale almost to extinction in the early and mid-twentieth century using explosive harpoons. Krill during the day to avoid predators in the surface layers habituate 100’s of meters below the surface and this is where blue whales eat them. Blue whales after their fill come to the surface to defecate and it is a red bloom of poop. It is this color because it is rich with iron extracted from the Krill. It turns out the actual southern oceans are short of iron and the phytoplankton at the base of the food chain rely on these huge blooms of poop to get their allotment of iron. By the 1960’s 99% of the blue whales in the southern oceans had been exterminated and with them the vital source of iron on which the phytoplankton relied on. The result; a partial collapse of the Southern Ocean ecosystems which resulted in krill populations decreasing by 80% along with all dependent species. As Czerski relates: “Nature has always operated on the principle that our society is finally discovering: what you do is start with poo. That’s the concentrated source of the materials relevant to life. If you can build everything you need out of waste, you’re never going to run out of raw materials. Nor do you have a waste disposal problem – Nature recycles endlessly..”
Why does Czerski describe the ocean as a machine? “Our planet intercepts a tiny fraction of the mighty energy output of the sun, preventing it from flowing onward in to the universe, and diverting it on to a much slower path through the mechanisms of the earth; ocean, atmosphere, ice, life and rocks. On its way through the planetary system, this energy is carried by atmospheric winds and ocean currents, builds both mighty oak trees and the delicate lichen on stone walls, lifts a trillion tons of water into the sky every day, fuels every human and every owl and every ant on earth…the oceanic engine is the heart of this system, hosting the majority of this flowing energy either as heat or as movement. Oceans are deep and broad, home to vast currents moving at different depths and different directions as water circulates around the world, heating and cooling its surroundings as it goes…. Oceans aren’t just storing the energy that flows through the system: they’re redistributing it. This is the dominate pattern behind the ocean engine: the overall shunting of energy from equator to poles….But the ocean is the big beast in Earth’s planetary machinery. The engine that is earth’s ocean takes sunlight and converts it into giant underwater currents and waterfalls, hauling around the ingredients for life: nutrients, oxygen and trace minerals like potassium and iron, shaping our coasts and transporting heat. This isn’t just another engine, it’s the grandest of all: an engine the size of a planet.”
Being a lifelong sailor, the chapter on voyaging particularly resonated. The transition from sailing ships to steam and diesel powered was fundamental because it transformed the relationship of sailor to sea in a profound way. Czerski visits the last of the clipper ships in its final resting place in Greenwich on Thames. “Back then, sailing required a very physical connection to the ship – pulling, adjusting, gathering, tidying – straining the human muscle which continually resculpted the ship to meet the demands of nature…The crew lived and breathed the ocean. This immersion in the natural environment was necessary to feel their way through the ocean engine, and they would have been aware of every nudge to the rudder, every additional sail added, because they would feel the ship shift under their feet in response….This was the skill of sailing. Cutty Sark was entirely at the mercy of the ocean, and when they met the doldrums (a belt of persistently calm weather that girdles the eartrh near the equator) and the wind dropped to nothing that dependence became clear. But when the wind was there the collaboration was stunning… the crew had to understand and feel all of the ships quirks to get the best out of it, and it was art as much as science…If you got the calculations wrong or misread the wind or currents, the vast forces of nature could break your masts or starve your crew- or you could get lost and never be found. It was the knowledge that you could be master of the situation, that you did have the skill to read and cooperate with nature, to corral the forces that shoved and strained your ship, that you could face the powerful rawness of it all and return to civilization. Once the ship left the port, it was locked into a deal with the planet; ride the nuances of this giant uncontrollable system with skill, and it would carry you home, make too many mistakes – or just one serious one – and you were toast.
What happened with the advent of fossil fuels: “This great synthesis of human and nature was about to be jettisoned by economics, technology and the demands of convenience. The most fundamental aspect of this upheaval wasn’t the shift from wood to metal, or from free wind to expensive coal, or from the irregularity of weather to timetabled reliability, although those were important. It was the change from voyaging with nature to voyaging despite nature. For a steamship is just a mechanism. Apart from the need to keep shoveling coal into its boilers, you could pretty much switch a steamship on, point it in any direction and walk away while your ship moved itself around. The centuries of collaboration between humans and nature were over.” You could really conclude that this just didn’t apply to ships. The advent of mass utilization of fossil fuels severed the connections between humans and nature allowing us the illusion that we could impose our will, our insatiable quest for material abundance, to bulldoze, air condition the earth into submission to suit our needs and comfort without considering the repercussions on the earth’s natural systems. That illusion is now coming to an end.
Out of sight out of mind. On land we easily see environmental destruction, huge forest fires, pollution, oil spills. Environmental destruction under the ocean, not so much. Yet destruction there is and perhaps more consequential. More than 90 percent of all the additional energy accumulating on earth because of human changes to the climate system has ended up in the ocean. Extra CO2 in the atmosphere absorbed into the ocean is making the water more acidic which could have profound consequences to the Phytoplankton, the very base of the food chain. Factory fishing has reduced the biomass of larger organisms in the food chain such as swordfish, sharks and tuna over 90% and anything larger than 10 grams by over 60%. As Czerski says: “It’s a stunningly consistent pattern networks showing us that healthy ecosystems are immense interlinked networks that need both their tiniest and their most gigantic citizens… we can see that the consequences here are not just fewer fish, but cutting off a vital source of stored energy in the ocean’s living systems and diverting it to land. This is a beautifully written and important book, you will be enlightened and enriched. JACK
Most of us have a very superficial relationship with the ocean. If we deign to visit it all, we transgress mainly into its uppermost layers. We boat or sail on the surface occasionally interacting with some of its top tier predators such as whales, porpoises, orcas, sharks, or seals. As a society we use the ocean as a source of protein, or we use it as a garbage dump. Out of sight, out of mind as the saying goes. Yet the Oceans comprise 70% of the surface area of the earth and 97% of all the water on the planet. They are the places where life began and evolved for over three billion years. It is where we come from. The dynamic currents and energy mass of the oceans affect the climates of all the continents. The complex oceanic ecosystems not only provide us with protein but profoundly affect the livability of our atmosphere. To read Helen Czerski is to take a fascinating dive below the waves as she tries to explain the complex workings of our blue planet’s blue machine, how it makes our planet a haven for life and also the catastrophic dangers we face by over exploiting and destabilizing its complex ecosystems.
As land creatures we are used to assuming that the land features at least in terms of hundreds of years are fixed in place, various ecosystems that exist in tropical rainforests, grassland prairies or alpine peaks stay where they are. The oceans are a completely different realm in that masses of water move and mix along with all the creatures that exist there. As on land, life in the oceans is powered by the sun, hundreds of billions of tons of tiny organisms called phytoplankton are at the base of the system as they absorb sunlight, converting carbon dioxide into carbohydrates and exhaling oxygen. As you move up the food chain, zooplankton consume phytoplankton, using the oxygen to power their eukaryote cells. Krill, tiny shrimplike creatures consume the zooplankton. Pinnacle giant predator 100-ton blue whales consume multiple tons of krill per day. A fascinating sidebar to the fragility of this system relates to the consequences of hunting the blue whale almost to extinction in the early and mid-twentieth century using explosive harpoons. Krill during the day to avoid predators in the surface layers habituate 100’s of meters below the surface and this is where blue whales eat them. Blue whales after their fill come to the surface to defecate and it is a red bloom of poop. It is this color because it is rich with iron extracted from the Krill. It turns out the actual southern oceans are short of iron and the phytoplankton at the base of the food chain rely on these huge blooms of poop to get their allotment of iron. By the 1960’s 99% of the blue whales in the southern oceans had been exterminated and with them the vital source of iron on which the phytoplankton relied on. The result; a partial collapse of the Southern Ocean ecosystems which resulted in krill populations decreasing by 80% along with all dependent species. As Czerski relates: “Nature has always operated on the principle that our society is finally discovering: what you do is start with poo. That’s the concentrated source of the materials relevant to life. If you can build everything you need out of waste, you’re never going to run out of raw materials. Nor do you have a waste disposal problem – Nature recycles endlessly..”
Why does Czerski describe the ocean as a machine? “Our planet intercepts a tiny fraction of the mighty energy output of the sun, preventing it from flowing onward in to the universe, and diverting it on to a much slower path through the mechanisms of the earth; ocean, atmosphere, ice, life and rocks. On its way through the planetary system, this energy is carried by atmospheric winds and ocean currents, builds both mighty oak trees and the delicate lichen on stone walls, lifts a trillion tons of water into the sky every day, fuels every human and every owl and every ant on earth…the oceanic engine is the heart of this system, hosting the majority of this flowing energy either as heat or as movement. Oceans are deep and broad, home to vast currents moving at different depths and different directions as water circulates around the world, heating and cooling its surroundings as it goes…. Oceans aren’t just storing the energy that flows through the system: they’re redistributing it. This is the dominate pattern behind the ocean engine: the overall shunting of energy from equator to poles….But the ocean is the big beast in Earth’s planetary machinery. The engine that is earth’s ocean takes sunlight and converts it into giant underwater currents and waterfalls, hauling around the ingredients for life: nutrients, oxygen and trace minerals like potassium and iron, shaping our coasts and transporting heat. This isn’t just another engine, it’s the grandest of all: an engine the size of a planet.”
Being a lifelong sailor, the chapter on voyaging particularly resonated. The transition from sailing ships to steam and diesel powered was fundamental because it transformed the relationship of sailor to sea in a profound way. Czerski visits the last of the clipper ships in its final resting place in Greenwich on Thames. “Back then, sailing required a very physical connection to the ship – pulling, adjusting, gathering, tidying – straining the human muscle which continually resculpted the ship to meet the demands of nature…The crew lived and breathed the ocean. This immersion in the natural environment was necessary to feel their way through the ocean engine, and they would have been aware of every nudge to the rudder, every additional sail added, because they would feel the ship shift under their feet in response….This was the skill of sailing. Cutty Sark was entirely at the mercy of the ocean, and when they met the doldrums (a belt of persistently calm weather that girdles the eartrh near the equator) and the wind dropped to nothing that dependence became clear. But when the wind was there the collaboration was stunning… the crew had to understand and feel all of the ships quirks to get the best out of it, and it was art as much as science…If you got the calculations wrong or misread the wind or currents, the vast forces of nature could break your masts or starve your crew- or you could get lost and never be found. It was the knowledge that you could be master of the situation, that you did have the skill to read and cooperate with nature, to corral the forces that shoved and strained your ship, that you could face the powerful rawness of it all and return to civilization. Once the ship left the port, it was locked into a deal with the planet; ride the nuances of this giant uncontrollable system with skill, and it would carry you home, make too many mistakes – or just one serious one – and you were toast.
What happened with the advent of fossil fuels: “This great synthesis of human and nature was about to be jettisoned by economics, technology and the demands of convenience. The most fundamental aspect of this upheaval wasn’t the shift from wood to metal, or from free wind to expensive coal, or from the irregularity of weather to timetabled reliability, although those were important. It was the change from voyaging with nature to voyaging despite nature. For a steamship is just a mechanism. Apart from the need to keep shoveling coal into its boilers, you could pretty much switch a steamship on, point it in any direction and walk away while your ship moved itself around. The centuries of collaboration between humans and nature were over.” You could really conclude that this just didn’t apply to ships. The advent of mass utilization of fossil fuels severed the connections between humans and nature allowing us the illusion that we could impose our will, our insatiable quest for material abundance, to bulldoze, air condition the earth into submission to suit our needs and comfort without considering the repercussions on the earth’s natural systems. That illusion is now coming to an end.
Out of sight out of mind. On land we easily see environmental destruction, huge forest fires, pollution, oil spills. Environmental destruction under the ocean, not so much. Yet destruction there is and perhaps more consequential. More than 90 percent of all the additional energy accumulating on earth because of human changes to the climate system has ended up in the ocean. Extra CO2 in the atmosphere absorbed into the ocean is making the water more acidic which could have profound consequences to the Phytoplankton, the very base of the food chain. Factory fishing has reduced the biomass of larger organisms in the food chain such as swordfish, sharks and tuna over 90% and anything larger than 10 grams by over 60%. As Czerski says: “It’s a stunningly consistent pattern networks showing us that healthy ecosystems are immense interlinked networks that need both their tiniest and their most gigantic citizens… we can see that the consequences here are not just fewer fish, but cutting off a vital source of stored energy in the ocean’s living systems and diverting it to land. This is a beautifully written and important book, you will be enlightened and enriched. JACK
June 20, 2023
Blue Machine is a fascinating and informative book about the ocean, its currents and behaviour and how humans are affecting it. I learned so much by reading the book, including the fact that underwater waterfalls exist - how cool is that?
As well as reading the ebook, I also listened to the audiobook version, narrated by the author, and this added an extra dimension as you can hear her enthusiasm for her subject in every sentence she speaks.
A highly recommended read for anyone with even a passing interest in ocean science.
As well as reading the ebook, I also listened to the audiobook version, narrated by the author, and this added an extra dimension as you can hear her enthusiasm for her subject in every sentence she speaks.
A highly recommended read for anyone with even a passing interest in ocean science.
September 4, 2023
Fascinating account of the oceans: very well written and with encyclopaedic knowledge. An easy and enjoyable read. Helen does not acknowledge it, but all this just deepens my wonder at the works of our Creator!
June 27, 2024
An interesting premise, which sadly wears thin and becomes a chore in the second half.
Helen Czerski is an eminent oceanographer, with a talent towards accessible explanations. It is obvious from the first page how excited she is to talk about the oceans, and makes every attempt to get the reader on her level. Blue Machine covers three parts; the science of how the ocean works, the interaction between sea life, the ocean and humans, and a final part which goes into the effects of climate change. The final part is simply a chapter, and it is clear Czerski knows her audience well enough in these parts not to belabour a commonly agreed point.
In regards to the science, the first part of the book is excellent. Our oceans break down into three main components; water temperature, salinity and planetary spin. These chapters are incredibly well put. Czerski's metaphors really work when she is explaining the input of solar energy and output of thermal radiation. It is effortlessly cool to learn about underwater waterfalls created as a result of shifting salinity between different ocean layers. Planetary spin and subsequent continental drift work in tandem to make the ocean a lumpy, combative and rich. All of these elements are well put and simply described by Czerski in the first part of this book.
My gut feeling as a completely unqualified outsider to anything editorial, is that had the book stopped there, it would be exceptional. A clearly stated breakdown of oceanographic basics to get everyone interested in the way our oceans work. However, the second part of the book was where I really began to struggle. Czerski has a tendency towards mixing metaphors. When she explains the science of herring migration and their relationship to coastlines, she combines it with the fascinating history of Scottish Herring Lassies. Problem is, Czerski also tries to thread the idea of the ocean as a machine within this scientific history and I found that in these parts the book very quickly overcooked. That won't be the case for every reader. People who can stomach long form chapters and manage multiple disciplines in their head will likely find this type of exposition enjoyable. Sadly I am not that smart and this all very quickly became a chore for me to get through, rather than an enjoyable or enlightening read.
By the end, I could not wait for the book to finish, but there is a solid 200 pages of fascinating oceanographic mechanics at the start. It is worth picking up for those pages alone, and then readers can make their own decisions whether to venture further into a fascinating history of our oceans.
Helen Czerski is an eminent oceanographer, with a talent towards accessible explanations. It is obvious from the first page how excited she is to talk about the oceans, and makes every attempt to get the reader on her level. Blue Machine covers three parts; the science of how the ocean works, the interaction between sea life, the ocean and humans, and a final part which goes into the effects of climate change. The final part is simply a chapter, and it is clear Czerski knows her audience well enough in these parts not to belabour a commonly agreed point.
In regards to the science, the first part of the book is excellent. Our oceans break down into three main components; water temperature, salinity and planetary spin. These chapters are incredibly well put. Czerski's metaphors really work when she is explaining the input of solar energy and output of thermal radiation. It is effortlessly cool to learn about underwater waterfalls created as a result of shifting salinity between different ocean layers. Planetary spin and subsequent continental drift work in tandem to make the ocean a lumpy, combative and rich. All of these elements are well put and simply described by Czerski in the first part of this book.
My gut feeling as a completely unqualified outsider to anything editorial, is that had the book stopped there, it would be exceptional. A clearly stated breakdown of oceanographic basics to get everyone interested in the way our oceans work. However, the second part of the book was where I really began to struggle. Czerski has a tendency towards mixing metaphors. When she explains the science of herring migration and their relationship to coastlines, she combines it with the fascinating history of Scottish Herring Lassies. Problem is, Czerski also tries to thread the idea of the ocean as a machine within this scientific history and I found that in these parts the book very quickly overcooked. That won't be the case for every reader. People who can stomach long form chapters and manage multiple disciplines in their head will likely find this type of exposition enjoyable. Sadly I am not that smart and this all very quickly became a chore for me to get through, rather than an enjoyable or enlightening read.
By the end, I could not wait for the book to finish, but there is a solid 200 pages of fascinating oceanographic mechanics at the start. It is worth picking up for those pages alone, and then readers can make their own decisions whether to venture further into a fascinating history of our oceans.
February 16, 2024
Helen Czerski is an oceanographer and physicist but she is also a really engaging writer who is great at conveying her marine enthusiasm in a contagious way.
“The Blue Machine'' is a fascinating exploration of the ocean's vast and complex systems, presented with clarity and insight. I am extremely not a scientist, and my knowledge of the ocean prior to starting this book was limited to what David Attenborough has taught me on Planet Earth. Even so, I found this to be an accessible look into the physics behind the ocean's mechanisms and the critical role they play in sustaining life on Earth.
From the depths of the ocean floor to the icy expanses of the Arctic ice floes, this was equal parts scientific tour and anthropological narrative, enriched with stories of history, culture, and the myriad creatures that inhabit these blue depths. The book's strength lies in its ability to demystify complex scientific concepts, making them understandable and engaging for readers without a scientific background. Through vivid storytelling and personal anecdotes, Czerski illustrates how sunlight-driven processes in the ocean influence everything from plankton to giant sea turtles and even human civilization.
There’s also a good amount of general interest elements mixed in (how the wreck of the Titanic was found; fish markets in London; Hawaiian outrigger traditions) that it's compelling for the lay audience.
Czerski's passionate argument for the ocean's significance and her urgent call to protect our "blue machine" resonate deeply, making this book a timely and important read. It's a beautifully written reminder of the ocean's power, beauty, and fragility, and a clarion call to action to preserve this vital component of our planet's life-support system.
“The Blue Machine'' is a fascinating exploration of the ocean's vast and complex systems, presented with clarity and insight. I am extremely not a scientist, and my knowledge of the ocean prior to starting this book was limited to what David Attenborough has taught me on Planet Earth. Even so, I found this to be an accessible look into the physics behind the ocean's mechanisms and the critical role they play in sustaining life on Earth.
From the depths of the ocean floor to the icy expanses of the Arctic ice floes, this was equal parts scientific tour and anthropological narrative, enriched with stories of history, culture, and the myriad creatures that inhabit these blue depths. The book's strength lies in its ability to demystify complex scientific concepts, making them understandable and engaging for readers without a scientific background. Through vivid storytelling and personal anecdotes, Czerski illustrates how sunlight-driven processes in the ocean influence everything from plankton to giant sea turtles and even human civilization.
There’s also a good amount of general interest elements mixed in (how the wreck of the Titanic was found; fish markets in London; Hawaiian outrigger traditions) that it's compelling for the lay audience.
Czerski's passionate argument for the ocean's significance and her urgent call to protect our "blue machine" resonate deeply, making this book a timely and important read. It's a beautifully written reminder of the ocean's power, beauty, and fragility, and a clarion call to action to preserve this vital component of our planet's life-support system.
July 6, 2024
I both liked and hated this book. The author is clearly very knowledgeable and passionate. I enjoyed the audio book narrated by the author because it was clear how much she enjoyed the subject (even though she says "astonishingly" entirely too many times). The narrative was a bit unfocused. She's trying to cover an astonishing (lol) amount of ground in a relatively few number of pages (the disastrous effect of climate change on the ocean is covered in about an hour of a fifteen hour audiobook).
As to what I hate. My environmental history professor would have had a field day with this. It's so unbelievably arrogant to suggest that the ocean is like something humans have created. The ocean predates the machine by millions of years, and it will outlast the machine long after we are dead and gone. The ocean is not beautiful and valuable because it is like a machine. It is beautiful and valuable precisely because it is not human in nature. The attitude of caring about nature only as much as it can do something for us or only as much as it can mimic our rudimentary ideas of machinery is exactly the attitude that got us into today's climate predicament, and it is a little frustrating to see a scientist who seems to care a lot about the ocean peddling that ideology. The ocean is not a machine because it is not human and to compare it is to dumb down the intricate processes that feed the ocean, and to suggest that humans can turn on and off its processes and fix its problems at will. We won't get out of this problem by lying about it. I'd like to give the author the benefit of the doubt because I don't think she meant it to come off this way, but who knows really.
As to what I hate. My environmental history professor would have had a field day with this. It's so unbelievably arrogant to suggest that the ocean is like something humans have created. The ocean predates the machine by millions of years, and it will outlast the machine long after we are dead and gone. The ocean is not beautiful and valuable because it is like a machine. It is beautiful and valuable precisely because it is not human in nature. The attitude of caring about nature only as much as it can do something for us or only as much as it can mimic our rudimentary ideas of machinery is exactly the attitude that got us into today's climate predicament, and it is a little frustrating to see a scientist who seems to care a lot about the ocean peddling that ideology. The ocean is not a machine because it is not human and to compare it is to dumb down the intricate processes that feed the ocean, and to suggest that humans can turn on and off its processes and fix its problems at will. We won't get out of this problem by lying about it. I'd like to give the author the benefit of the doubt because I don't think she meant it to come off this way, but who knows really.
January 19, 2024
I liked this book. Czerski has a poetic writing style that neither becomes too overwrought nor sacrifices accuracy for the sake of poetry. As a fellow science writer, the second one is very important to me. In reading The Blue Machine, I learned a lot about the ocean, including answers to questions I didn't know to ask.
Some of the information felt a bit extraneous, and, true, this book could have been shorter. But ultimately those parts were rendered with such delight that I gave in and accepted that I would learn about herring and tuna and the myriad functions of poop in oceanic ecosystems. Everything is connected. I enjoyed seeing those connections through Czerski's expert eyes, because even while she's teaching us, it's obvious that she still views the ocean with wonder. Shouldn't we all?
I'd recommend this book for readers who enjoyed Susan Casey's The Underworld: Journeys to the Depths of the Ocean. Even though there's a little bit of overlap in a few historical stories between the two books, they make good companions for readers who want to learn more about Earth's majestic oceans.
Some of the information felt a bit extraneous, and, true, this book could have been shorter. But ultimately those parts were rendered with such delight that I gave in and accepted that I would learn about herring and tuna and the myriad functions of poop in oceanic ecosystems. Everything is connected. I enjoyed seeing those connections through Czerski's expert eyes, because even while she's teaching us, it's obvious that she still views the ocean with wonder. Shouldn't we all?
I'd recommend this book for readers who enjoyed Susan Casey's The Underworld: Journeys to the Depths of the Ocean. Even though there's a little bit of overlap in a few historical stories between the two books, they make good companions for readers who want to learn more about Earth's majestic oceans.
November 22, 2023
This is an incredible book. It has opened my eyes to the complexity and beauty of the oceans and amazing ability of nature to create intricate ecosystems where almost nothing is wasted. I highly recommend this book as a means to understand the beauty of nature and the important role we all play in advocating for it.
Disclaimer: I did receive an free advance reading copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway.
Disclaimer: I did receive an free advance reading copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway.
October 24, 2023
Review to come
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