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Sharks: A History of Fear in Australia
For as long as people have lived in Australia, the shark has loomed large in our fears. From the Noongar people of Western Australia who stayed out of the water for fear of being taken, to media hysteria about attacks and even sightings today, sharks occupy the dark recesses of our national psyche unlike any other predator. They challenge the very sense of ourselves as Australians, a people who hug the coastline and love the freedom of the surf. And the dispute between whether to kill or protect sharks cuts to the political core of our nation, yet another divide between the right and the left.
There is no denying that shark attacks have been increasing in recent years, and so have our fears. Where do we go from here? How worried should we be? Journalist Callum Denness deep-dives into the history of our relationship with sharks, and circles our fear by talking to activists, marine biologists, politicians, surfers, survivors and those who’ve lost loved ones. Compelling and challenging, this is the clearest picture yet of whether or not we can co-exist with sharks. Don’t get back into the water until you read Sharks: A History of Fear in Australia.
There is no denying that shark attacks have been increasing in recent years, and so have our fears. Where do we go from here? How worried should we be? Journalist Callum Denness deep-dives into the history of our relationship with sharks, and circles our fear by talking to activists, marine biologists, politicians, surfers, survivors and those who’ve lost loved ones. Compelling and challenging, this is the clearest picture yet of whether or not we can co-exist with sharks. Don’t get back into the water until you read Sharks: A History of Fear in Australia.
253 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 24, 2019
2 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 25, 2023
“we should not butcher an animal for an inadvertent homicide… It's human behaviour, not shark behaviour, that we should be targeting.”
An enjoyable, and brutally honest read—sometimes shocking. The book was quite an easy and engaging read. Context throughout is super balanced and well researched, presented quite well with a range of opinions from government, people and himself. He always doesn’t let his own opinion overshadow actual factual information and accounts.
Quite educational, without being gruesome, considering the content. Interesting to see what motivates sharks to attack humans and the differing political views and mitigation methods. Sharks are something Australians usually tend to think about when approaching waters and beaches—media coverage usually only shows the negative side of our Australian beaches, where they could also be showing what the sharks actually do for our oceans, in keeping the life cycle going and health of the worlds oceans continuing.
Everytime I read about our oceans, and especially about sharks I always walk away with a deeper understanding on sharks as a species and as a predator. However, as sharks are my favourite animal, I know I will always have acknowledgement and such an appreciation for the mammal.
‘It should be reported as: “This happened. These were the mitigations put in place, someone still made a choice. Too bad.” Is that unreasonable to say?’ he asks. ‘People die on the Gold Coast from getting pissed and climbing on balcony railings. There’s a lot of education around that, but people still do it. You know? “Oh, he climbed up on the balcony pissed, and died.”
An enjoyable, and brutally honest read—sometimes shocking. The book was quite an easy and engaging read. Context throughout is super balanced and well researched, presented quite well with a range of opinions from government, people and himself. He always doesn’t let his own opinion overshadow actual factual information and accounts.
Quite educational, without being gruesome, considering the content. Interesting to see what motivates sharks to attack humans and the differing political views and mitigation methods. Sharks are something Australians usually tend to think about when approaching waters and beaches—media coverage usually only shows the negative side of our Australian beaches, where they could also be showing what the sharks actually do for our oceans, in keeping the life cycle going and health of the worlds oceans continuing.
Everytime I read about our oceans, and especially about sharks I always walk away with a deeper understanding on sharks as a species and as a predator. However, as sharks are my favourite animal, I know I will always have acknowledgement and such an appreciation for the mammal.
‘It should be reported as: “This happened. These were the mitigations put in place, someone still made a choice. Too bad.” Is that unreasonable to say?’ he asks. ‘People die on the Gold Coast from getting pissed and climbing on balcony railings. There’s a lot of education around that, but people still do it. You know? “Oh, he climbed up on the balcony pissed, and died.”
November 21, 2019
Well written and easy to follow. The writer shares a lot of different view points between and within so many groups of people.
I am a marine biologist and love all marine life but at the same time I know victims of shark attacks. It was an interesting, well researched and emotional read. I found myself changing my mind set with each chapter.
I am a marine biologist and love all marine life but at the same time I know victims of shark attacks. It was an interesting, well researched and emotional read. I found myself changing my mind set with each chapter.
March 12, 2021
That dark shadow that passed below your surfboard… it was just a stingray… maybe a dolphin… wasn't it? Sure it was. Noting else in these waters… is there? Is there?
It's a relief when that dorsal fin you noticed a little way out surfaces to reveal the slick, humped back of a dolphin. But what of it doesn't? What if whatever it is attached to stays hidden with only that black triangle showing above the surface? And what if it suddenly disappears below the waves?
Sharks. They are always there in the minds of Australians who venture into the water. Despite the reality that being attacked by a shark is unlikely, the fear lingers. On those rare occasions when there is an attack the media coverage instills fear in swimmers and surfers as well as those who never set foot in the ocean.
Sharks and the attacks that have occurred since the early days of European occupation of the continent, as well as how they were regarded by some indigenous Australians, are the grisly subject of Callum Denness' book. Callum is a journalist and his book is an informative example of reportage tracing the presence of sharks in the Australian psyche., and in our oceans. It is an easy if sometimes harrowing read, maybe something for the light of day rather than bedtime, and something maybe for reading in your home rather than in the shade of a pandanus at the beach as you contemplate washing away the day's sweat and humidity with a quick dip in the ocean.
Read sharks and walk away with a realistic appreciation of these slick maritime predators and their place in the minds of Australians.
It's a relief when that dorsal fin you noticed a little way out surfaces to reveal the slick, humped back of a dolphin. But what of it doesn't? What if whatever it is attached to stays hidden with only that black triangle showing above the surface? And what if it suddenly disappears below the waves?
Sharks. They are always there in the minds of Australians who venture into the water. Despite the reality that being attacked by a shark is unlikely, the fear lingers. On those rare occasions when there is an attack the media coverage instills fear in swimmers and surfers as well as those who never set foot in the ocean.
Sharks and the attacks that have occurred since the early days of European occupation of the continent, as well as how they were regarded by some indigenous Australians, are the grisly subject of Callum Denness' book. Callum is a journalist and his book is an informative example of reportage tracing the presence of sharks in the Australian psyche., and in our oceans. It is an easy if sometimes harrowing read, maybe something for the light of day rather than bedtime, and something maybe for reading in your home rather than in the shade of a pandanus at the beach as you contemplate washing away the day's sweat and humidity with a quick dip in the ocean.
Read sharks and walk away with a realistic appreciation of these slick maritime predators and their place in the minds of Australians.
November 26, 2021
Sharks: A History of Fear in Australia by Callum Denness 🦈🌊
•
Synopsis: ‘For as long as people have lived in Australia, the shark has loomed large in our fears. From the Noongar people of Western Australia who stayed out of the water for fear of being taken, to media hysteria about attacks and even sightings today, sharks occupy the dark recesses of our national psyche unlike any other predator. They challenge the very sense of ourselves as Australians, a people who hug the coastline and love the freedom of the surf. And the dispute between whether to kill or protect sharks cut to the political core of our nation, yet another divide between the right and the left.
There is no denying that shark attacks have been increasing in recent years, and so have our fears. Where do we go from here? How worried should we be? Journalists Callum Denness deep-dives into the history of our relationship with sharks, and circles our fear by talking to activists, marine biologists, politicians, surfers, survivors and those who’ve lost loved ones. Compelling and challenging, this is the clearest picture yet of whether or not we can do-exist with sharks.’
•
Review: It would be silly to say I wasn’t a bit scared to go into the water after reading this book about shark attacks. But time after time the author mentions the odds of being attacked by a shark. I have lived by the water my whole live and have never seen a shark while in the water. I feel horrible for those who have been attacked or those who know someone who has been attacked. The ocean is the sharks’ home. I believe we shouldn’t take them from their home by killing them and hurting them. I understand they are attacking humans, but the real reason is why are they, if we are not on their food pallet? I highly recommend this book if you want to know more about sharks and their behaviour. You may be scared to go swimming while reading it but it is definitely worth the read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 5/5
•
Synopsis: ‘For as long as people have lived in Australia, the shark has loomed large in our fears. From the Noongar people of Western Australia who stayed out of the water for fear of being taken, to media hysteria about attacks and even sightings today, sharks occupy the dark recesses of our national psyche unlike any other predator. They challenge the very sense of ourselves as Australians, a people who hug the coastline and love the freedom of the surf. And the dispute between whether to kill or protect sharks cut to the political core of our nation, yet another divide between the right and the left.
There is no denying that shark attacks have been increasing in recent years, and so have our fears. Where do we go from here? How worried should we be? Journalists Callum Denness deep-dives into the history of our relationship with sharks, and circles our fear by talking to activists, marine biologists, politicians, surfers, survivors and those who’ve lost loved ones. Compelling and challenging, this is the clearest picture yet of whether or not we can do-exist with sharks.’
•
Review: It would be silly to say I wasn’t a bit scared to go into the water after reading this book about shark attacks. But time after time the author mentions the odds of being attacked by a shark. I have lived by the water my whole live and have never seen a shark while in the water. I feel horrible for those who have been attacked or those who know someone who has been attacked. The ocean is the sharks’ home. I believe we shouldn’t take them from their home by killing them and hurting them. I understand they are attacking humans, but the real reason is why are they, if we are not on their food pallet? I highly recommend this book if you want to know more about sharks and their behaviour. You may be scared to go swimming while reading it but it is definitely worth the read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 5/5
June 30, 2020
An enjoyable, if brutally honest and sometimes shocking read. I found that the book was easy to follow and presented well researched points with a wide range of different opinions and consultations, without allowing his opinions to get in the way of the facts and accounts. A very educational read, and quite fascinating without being gruesome considering the content. For anyone looking to learn more about what potentially motivates a shark to attack; the differing political views and mitigation methods; and the analysis of probabilities of being attacked I would reccommend this as a balanced, well written and engaging read!
September 19, 2020
Having surfed all my life (and only seen 3 very docile and disinterested sharks in that whole time) but have always been interested in them and stories about their dwindling numbers. So not too sure I really got any new insights from this book. The great parts of the book we're that it shines a spotlight on the media/science dichotomy though which is very timely. Also touched on the effects of fishing, particularly berleying and the effects of this bringing sharks closer to human populations with the mention of abatoirs near the coast and shark attacks.
And my bucket list now includes a swim with sharks!
And my bucket list now includes a swim with sharks!
June 10, 2021
"If we struck the verb 'attack' from our shark vocabulary or if childrens books didn't draw them with such jagged shapes sharks would be feared less." and rightfully so. they're one of the most docile and elegant creatures on this planet.
January 27, 2026
It sounds strange to say a book about sharks is a book ‘you can’t put down’. There is detail of many shark attacks (though they now euphemistically are called ‘shark bites). Both the shark cull and shark conservation viewpoints are presented. Excellent entertaining reading.
December 27, 2023
Meticulously researched but kind of all over the place for all that.
November 10, 2019
Well researched and fascinating throughout. I like that Denness looked at all viewpoints on the political issue of shark attacks. He often posed the question, 'Why are we so intrigued by shark attacks?' My answer; excitement and gore. As morbid as it sounds, the best parts of the book were the narratives of the fatal attacks.
The worst parts were:
- Alyssa quoting Genesis
- multiple typos
- 'a woman who had to lay down and play dead while her pet Pitbull chewed her femoral artery'
- quoting a study where the majority of people thought 25% was a lower probability than 1250 in 1000 people
My fear of sharks has been worsened. They're incredible and beautiful animals though and shouldn't be culled.
The worst parts were:
- Alyssa quoting Genesis
- multiple typos
- 'a woman who had to lay down and play dead while her pet Pitbull chewed her femoral artery'
- quoting a study where the majority of people thought 25% was a lower probability than 1250 in 1000 people
My fear of sharks has been worsened. They're incredible and beautiful animals though and shouldn't be culled.
November 23, 2019
I am not an ocean swimmer, surfer, or even really Australian, but I find the both fascination for and loathing of sharks to be a constant presence in this country. I reckon Denness does a good job exploring this issue from all available angles. I learned a lot and found this book hard to put down. Of course now I’m struggling from the anxiety come-down. Regardless of my anxiety, I am so here for these journalistic deep dives.
November 9, 2019
This book is a magnificent meditation on science, human nature and the experience of Shark attack in this ocean besplatterd land.
Insightful and unusual looks to the ongoing impacts for survivors, family and witnesses.
Loved it.
Insightful and unusual looks to the ongoing impacts for survivors, family and witnesses.
Loved it.
January 7, 2020
Well researched and written. Hearing from real experiences made the book a really great read.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews