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This exciting new book takes readers on an entertaining exploration of the oceans and introduces the extraordinary behaviors, remarkable adaptations, and complex life histories of marine fishes. Did you know that marlins have a heating blanket wrapped around each eye? Or that damselfish sing serenades to each other? Or that male anglerfish attach to females during mating, and stick there like parasites? The oceans abound with such stories, and the more you know, the more you will fall in love with the sea and the fishes that make it their home. Available in March 2025, or pre-order your copy from Cornell University Press |
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Contents
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From the Foreword by Rod Fujita"The Marlin's Fiery Eye includes many fascinating stories about how people have discovered, used, and come to understand fish over the centuries. But it also contains stories about people caring for the ocean and its life, as well as the amazing stories of the fish themselves. These are the plot elements of a new story about a reciprocal relationship with nature, one in which we are responsible for repairing the damage that we have caused. A story in which fish are food but also our partners on this planet, inspiring respect, awe, and a sense that we part of something larger than ourselves."
Praise for The Marlin's Fiery Eye"This book masterfully explores the interplay between nature, history, and human innovation." "A fascinating book – full of stories about fish big and small, doing things that will surprise you as they surprised me." "This book is an engaging and highly recommended read for those curious about the most spectacularly diverse group of vertebrates on Earth – and their fascinating adaptations to life in a watery world we depend on yet scarcely understand."
SummaryApart from the fortunate few who snorkel or scuba dive, the daily lives of marine fishes are a mystery to us. We know more about orangutans and giraffes than almost all fishes. The oceans are home to half of all vertebrate species on the planet, and the sea is full of extraordinary stories. Fishes live in the shallows, where sunlight encourages bright colors and extravagant patterns. They roam open waters far from shore, where a premium is placed on speed and predatory ruthlessness. They flourish in the abyssal depths, where the dark, cold, and enormous pressure are countered with unique and bizarre adaptations. Each fish has a story to tell, and each tale is made all the more extraordinary because it unfolds in a submerged and mysterious realm. The Marlin's Fiery Eye is written for anyone who loves learning about the hidden lives of animals. Chapters gather the sprawling diversity of fishes into broad groups: small schoolers like sardines and anchovies, big predators like marlin and tuna, giants like whale sharks and manta rays, and the flamboyantly colorful residents of coral reefs. Connections to human history are highlighted, like the use of cod to fuel street lamps in Norway. The book features interviews with scientists who are discovering new fish behaviors and interactions using novel techniques and their own infectious curiosity. A final chapter examines the past and present of the world’s fisheries, and ends with hope for the future of fishes and our planet.
About the Author
email: joe@joemeisel.com |
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To order your copy, visit Cornell University Press
Copyright Joe E. Meisel |
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Dr. Joe E. Meisel is the author of 