In The Fragile Edge, the documentary filmmaker and deep-sea diver Julia Whitty paints a mesmerizing, scientifically rich portrait of teeming coral ...
read full description
reviews
Dec 03, 2011
Mary
rated it: 
Lyrical, if slow-moving, and filled with wondrous insights, Whitty's book introduced me to yet another unfamiliar part of the world. Her descriptions of how the atolls of the Southern Pacific were formed over the eons, and recently poisoned by nuclear testing and overcrowding, are eye-opening, yet it is the world beneath the Pacific that is her true subject. Diving on the coral reefs as part of a film crew, her descriptions likely rival any footage the crew shot, as in the scene in which, watchi
More...
Oct 26, 2011
Mediazombie
rated it: 
Fragile Edge is a beautifully written book with a strong, engaging female narrator and a gentle hint of Eastern philosophy that provides a fascinating subtext to the many vivid underwater scenes. So I didn't like the book very much. I maybe shouldn't have read the book knowing how much I hate underwater creatures but I thought that perhaps if I didn't have to see them I could tolerate it. Well, fuck, I still hate sharks and dolphins and anything that lives in the ocean and could possibly touc
More...
Apr 06, 2009
I read Fragile Edge in February in anticipation of meeting Julia Whitty at the Women on Writing Conference in March - she was the key note speaker. I had been a fan since reading A Tortoise for the Queen of Tonga when it first came out. Tortoise was an accidental find as my husband purchased it for me solely on the recommendation of the book store staff and because it had the word Tonga in the title. I was hanging out with some Tongan friends and he thought the book might interest me. Well,
More...
Nov 21, 2008
Mckenyon2
rated it: 
This book is informative, philosophical, and poetic. She is an incredible writer and this is a beautiful book about the status of the south Pacific islands.
Nov 06, 2008
Kat
rated it:
Full disclosure: Julia is a friend. But regardless, this is an unbelievably great book! Reading it is a vacation for your mind and spirit. Julia travels to (I think) 4 different fragile reefs and shares her personal experiences and observations while mixing in cool science facts. I always read fast (and quicken the pace as I close in on the finish line); but when reading this book, I purposefully slowed down and savored every page, every paragraph, every word.
Dec 03, 2007
Jeri
rated it:
having been to Rangiroa and Moorea, I was especially interested in this book. I loved the author's description of underwater life. She brings it to life! Great description of fish behavior, but in an easy-to-read way.
This book talks alot about rising water level and potential extinction of current atolls because of this.
This book talks alot about rising water level and potential extinction of current atolls because of this.
Sep 07, 2010
Stacey
rated it:
Loved this book. A strange mix of Jacques Cousteau and Eat, Pray, Love. Did not know that dolphin pods sleep and swim in unison. Very strange.
Jul 26, 2008
Matt
rated it:
This book strikes a nice balance between scientific information and narrative. I like the writing style of the author, but mostly it just makes you want to take a vacation to scuba dive.
Feb 07, 2012
Dec 28, 2011
Nov 15, 2011
Aug 12, 2011
Aug 02, 2011
Jul 26, 2011
Jul 23, 2011
Jul 21, 2011
May 07, 2011
Apr 24, 2011
Apr 07, 2011
Apr 02, 2011
Feb 27, 2011
Feb 14, 2011
Feb 01, 2011
Jan 23, 2011
