This title in the lavish ‘Deluxe’ natural history series from Reed New
Holland is packed with sumptuous photography of more than one hundred of
the world’s most amazing marine lifeforms.


From the surface, the ocean can appear an almost lifeless place, but
look beneath the waves and there are myriad creatures that find a home
anywhere from the shallow shores to the depths of the deepest ocean
chasm. As this book illustrates, marine life comes in all shapes, forms
and patterns, and some of the creatures out there look as though they
have been dreamed up by a sci-fi film director with an over-active
imagination.


The world’s oceans are home to biodiversity hot-spots that can rival
anything on land. Divers will be familiar with world-famous attractions
such as swimming with gigantic Whale Sharks in Mexico or the
Philippines, or with awe-inspiring Great White Sharks in Australia or
South Africa, but the little critters are equally as engaging, from
outlandish nudibranchs (or ‘sea slugs’) and tiny cryptic pygmy seahorses
and the charismatic Coconut Octopus.
With stunning close-up images of more than one hundred of the world’s
most mind-blowing oceanic species – from corals, seahorses and sea
anemones to sharks, whales and turtles – this beautifully illustrated
book depicts a remarkable underwater world that is hidden from the gaze
of most humans.


Oceans is a glorious memento of a fascinating subject. It is a
luxurious book that celebrates many astonishing species from around the
world and reminds us why we need to protect marine ecosystems more than
ever before, making it ideal for nature lovers, as a gift, or as an
interior-design feature in any home.