Ocean: Exploring the Marine World Phaidon Book

About the book

Endorsed by United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development

Experience the force, mystery, and beauty of the ocean and seas through more than 300 images - featuring underwater photography, oceanographic maps and scientific illustrations, as well as paintings, sculptures and popular films.

Oceanography and art collide in this visual celebration of humans' relationship with the marine world. From early nautical cartography, scientific illustrations and astounding maps of the ocean floor to ancient Roman mosaics, Japanese woodblock prints and pop-culture ephemera Ocean takes readers across continents and cultures, spanning more than 3,000 years of history.

Vivid, full-page images reveal prehistoric marine creatures and fossils, mysterious flora and fauna, mythical creatures of the deep and surfing icons of today. Explore the diverse groups of fish and coral on the Great Barrier Reef, jellyfish from the deepest location on Earth and life in the polar waters of the Arctic and Antarctic. Learn about the dangers facing our planet's oceans due to climate change activity and the dedicated efforts of conservationists to benefit our underwater ecosystems.

Developed with a panel of marine biologists, research scientists, conservationists, photographers, museum curators and experts from organizations including the Wildlife Conservation Society and Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Ocean illustrates Sylvia Earle's observation: 'Everyone, everywhere is inextricably connected to and utterly dependent upon the existence of the sea.

About the author

Anne-Marie Melster is an interdisciplinary curator and the Cofounder and Executive Director of ARTPORT_making waves.

Hardback, 11 3/8 × 9 7/8 in., 352 pages, 315 illustrations