The Encyclopedia of Sharks

by Steve Parker

Here are the actual facts that dispel the myths and legends surrounding the feared and misunderstood shark. Generous color photographs plus maps and illustrations document every aspect of these beautiful animals, how they evolved, the mythology and misconceptions that surround them, and the threat posed by humans. The dynamic and authoritative text includes information Chapters such as Shark Success , Ecology and Biology , Design for Living and Design for Killing fascinate and encourage readers to learn more about these complex creatures.

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals, Nature, Biology, Reference

192 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1999

About the author

Steve Parker is a British science writer of children's and adult's books. He has written more than 300 titles and contributed to or edited another 150.

Born in Warrington, Lancashire, in 1952, Parker attended Strodes College, Egham and gained a BSc First Class Honours in Zoology at the University of Wales, Bangor. He worked as an exhibition scientist at the Natural History Museum, and as editor and managing editor at Dorling Kindersley Publishers, and commissioning editor at medical periodical GP, before becoming a freelance writer in the late 1980s. He is a Senior Scientific Fellow of the Zoological Society of London. Parker is based in Suffolk with his family.

Parker's writing career began with 10 early titles in Dorling Kindersley's multi-award-winning Eyewitness series, from the late 1980s to the late 1990s. He has since worked for more than a dozen children's book publishers and been shortlisted for, among others, the Rhone-Poulenc Science Book Prize, Times Educational Information Book of the Year, and Blue Peter Book Award.

Reviews

[Meirav Rath · Rating 5 out of 5]

An introduction book to sharks and their conflict with humanity. Written lightly, somewhat even 'for dummies' it's the ideal book to learn everything about sharks from. There's not a single evolutionary, physically or behavioral subject about sharks here that goes unexplored.
I highly recommend this book to animal and shark lovers.

[Zoe]

It's the most comprehensive book on sharks there is. It tells you everything about them. 100% recommend it.

[Trent Marv · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a highly engaging coverage of sharks starting with a decent if brief introduction and coverage of the history of the sharks showing various extinct forms including the famous Megalodon but also more obscure and interesting forms like Cladoselache and Trisychius, Xecanthus, and Hybodus. It talks about the golden age of sharks in the Mississippian period but I wish more had been shown cause they really did bizarre at that time
In chapter 2 then illustrates the variety of sharks alive today this is a interesting choice as normally this is near the end of books like this. Kept me surprised honestly though I wish more sharks had been included like more hammerhead species seemed to be lacking as well as some strange deepsea forms and dogfish felt missing. It then covers The Shark body plan, both internal and external anatomy in chapter 4. Chapter 5 how shark lives discussed broader themes of their ecology and how they live in the ocean. Chapter 6 goes on. Going onto Chapter 7 they discuss the topic of reproduction which can be either egg laying, live birth, or something strange in-between called ovoviparity. Chapter 8 goes over the history of sharks in human culture from feared monsters to appreciated members of the natural world that generate tours. The final chapter directly continues from this, and maybe should have been combined with the last chapter and touches on the plight of sharks in the modern age.
Overall, a great book that is worth a read to anyone who has an interest in sharks, sure its structure is a bit odd and maybe could have included more species but as a general guide it's useful.

[Loren · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had great pictures and diagrams. Other than that, some of the information is by now out-of-date (it was published in '99); even for the late 90s, some of the information in it was just a little incorrect. It is generally right, but just enough wrong in specificity that I noticed. However, a straightforward read that is comprehensive in intention. It definitely would do better to be updated with modern science.

[Fraser Sherman · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Basic but thorough: major shark species, shark behavior, feeding habits, ecology, reproduction, biology ... Quite a lot I didn't know. However there are a couple of errors here and there—the whale shark's stats in the species guide make it much too small so i assume they're wrong. Still, a very good guide.

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure when I started this but I was only reading it on and off when I couldn't sleep but the past couple of days I've been completely focused on it. There was a lot of information and I really enjoyed it!
4/5

[juniper · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite encyclopedia of sharks when I was a kid.... inspired my childhood dreams of being a shark veterinarian!

[Dru · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating information about sharks! Detailed drawings, photographs and other means of showing us more about these creatures. A good place to start if you're interested in sharks since it gives you an overview of many aspects of being a shark- reproducing, feeding, types, sizes, skin, organs, and many more!

[Brandy Shark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good, very comprehensive book on sharks. There are a lot of pictures and charts, and all the description is in terms that anyone could understand. I recommend it for anyone who has been interested and learning about sharks their whole lives, or someone who is just getting started.

[Kelley Belitz · Rating 1 out of 5]

I like this book other than the fact that they made just a few mistakes. They arent major but when you label a picture you should make sure you label with the correct species of shark.

[Angela Kelman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very informative!

[Jayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A few errors here and there, but overall very informative with quality images. A good read for a beginner shark enthusiast.

[Lily Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic comprehensive book. My go-to reference book for all my shark related needs!