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marlsog's review against another edition
5.0
“Whenever I return to shore, it always takes time for the sea to let me go.”
I recently wanted to expand the genres of books I read and decided to pick this one up. As someone studying marine biology, I wanted to explore a part of the ocean I knew little about. This book is a great introduction to the abyss. Filled with anecdotes about zombie worms to yeti crabs to hydrothermal vents to seabed mining I was extremely invested in the science of the abyss. Halfway through I decided I need to read more of Scales books. I am 100% sure that I will be referencing this book in future assignments.
I recently wanted to expand the genres of books I read and decided to pick this one up. As someone studying marine biology, I wanted to explore a part of the ocean I knew little about. This book is a great introduction to the abyss. Filled with anecdotes about zombie worms to yeti crabs to hydrothermal vents to seabed mining I was extremely invested in the science of the abyss. Halfway through I decided I need to read more of Scales books. I am 100% sure that I will be referencing this book in future assignments.
jillianzacchia's review against another edition
4.0
The Brilliant Abyss was both enlightening and devastating. It was my first ARC, and to prove I adored it, I highlighted 79 passages while reading.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
By: Dr, Helen Scales
The ARC reading experience was difficult because none of the sections or chapters were separated (it was one never ending chapter which is why it took me three months to read) and none of the beautiful images from the final novel were in the proof. I’m sure the final book will be much cleaner.
Synopsis:
Divided into 4 uneven parts, the first half, or part one, discusses the diverse and barely explored life of the creatures in the deep sea. This deep sea biologist focuses on describing, in beautiful detail, the creatures she’s had the pleasure of seeing (with a remote controlled submersible) specifically in and around seamounts (underwater mountains) and hydrothermal vents. For the first half of the book you learn about the delicate balance of marine life miles below the surface of the water.
Then we get to part two and realize that not only is it interesting, the deep sea is fundamental for the health of our society. The deep sea absorbs carbon, helping offset emissions, but more importantly, creatures living in the deep sea could hold the cure to countless diseases, including cancer.
When I got to part 3 and 4, I flew through the book in a day. It was soul crushing. She details the devastation of deep sea fishing for orange roughie, that could live up to 250 and only mate every 40. This population isn’t bouncing back. Even worse, whole ecosystems will be destroyed once deep sea mining projects go into effect, including delicate microbial communities that have taken millions of years to evolve. Animals we didn’t know existed until recently could go extinct.
The worst part, this is seen as a foregone conclusion. Without mining the sea we might not have enough metals to build the wind turbines, solar panels and electric cars we need to replace fossil fuels.
Her proposal, LEAVE THE DEEP ALONE and explore only for scientific research or to make health related discoveries. Recycle metals and keep working on reinventing green technologies to be less reliant on anything that needs to be mined.
If you are passionate about the environment and the ocean, and are able to get through highly scientific and academic passages, this book will definitely open your eyes.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
By: Dr, Helen Scales
The ARC reading experience was difficult because none of the sections or chapters were separated (it was one never ending chapter which is why it took me three months to read) and none of the beautiful images from the final novel were in the proof. I’m sure the final book will be much cleaner.
Synopsis:
Divided into 4 uneven parts, the first half, or part one, discusses the diverse and barely explored life of the creatures in the deep sea. This deep sea biologist focuses on describing, in beautiful detail, the creatures she’s had the pleasure of seeing (with a remote controlled submersible) specifically in and around seamounts (underwater mountains) and hydrothermal vents. For the first half of the book you learn about the delicate balance of marine life miles below the surface of the water.
Then we get to part two and realize that not only is it interesting, the deep sea is fundamental for the health of our society. The deep sea absorbs carbon, helping offset emissions, but more importantly, creatures living in the deep sea could hold the cure to countless diseases, including cancer.
When I got to part 3 and 4, I flew through the book in a day. It was soul crushing. She details the devastation of deep sea fishing for orange roughie, that could live up to 250 and only mate every 40. This population isn’t bouncing back. Even worse, whole ecosystems will be destroyed once deep sea mining projects go into effect, including delicate microbial communities that have taken millions of years to evolve. Animals we didn’t know existed until recently could go extinct.
The worst part, this is seen as a foregone conclusion. Without mining the sea we might not have enough metals to build the wind turbines, solar panels and electric cars we need to replace fossil fuels.
Her proposal, LEAVE THE DEEP ALONE and explore only for scientific research or to make health related discoveries. Recycle metals and keep working on reinventing green technologies to be less reliant on anything that needs to be mined.
If you are passionate about the environment and the ocean, and are able to get through highly scientific and academic passages, this book will definitely open your eyes.
tomatored6's review against another edition
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.5
Content wise it's very insightful and interesting, offering lots of info about cool animals and geographical features of the deep. It also explores how humans are looking to exploit (read: destroy) the deep (sigh).
3.5 stars is mainly because in some places I found it a real challenge to get through because it was so dry - almost verging on textbook level and I had to force myself to get back to it - but I guess it is ultimately a factual account.
3.5 stars is mainly because in some places I found it a real challenge to get through because it was so dry - almost verging on textbook level and I had to force myself to get back to it - but I guess it is ultimately a factual account.
ellist's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.25
tuliptrees's review against another edition
4.0
I found the detailed information about life on the sea floor the most fascinating. I really wanted pictures though! I found myself going back and forth between Google and the book, however there are a few photos at the end. Some of the last chapters were incredibly dry and could have been summarized and the same point made. It went from fascinating to heartbreaking, though that’s no fault of the author. I hope we’re able to preserve this vital part of our planet before it’s too late.