Sonke Johnsen

Breathtaking displays of color and light from an array of ocean life forms, with vivid photography and insightful text about the science of transparency, bioluminescence, and fluorescenceDeep in the ocean, a myriad of creatures, including jellyfish, coral, shrimp, sharks, squid, lantern fish, anglerfish, sea fireflies, and fireworms use multi-colored lights for defense, luring food, attracting mates, and communication. The Radiant Sea presents an exciting new perspective on the mysterious environment that accounts for 99 percent of the habitable space on Earth but remains hidden to the casual observer. Two of the world’s leading researchers explore the nature of underwater light, investigating the varieties of transparency, pigmentation, iridescence, bioluminescence, and fluorescence. Based on the latest available research, they examine the need for—and likely function of—color and light shows among marine species. Each luminous wonder is described with informative captions and colorfully represented by the finest nature photography.

A seagoing scientist explores how life thrives in one of the most mysterious environments on EarthThe open ocean, far from the shore and miles above the seafloor, is a vast and formidable habitat that is home to the most abundant life on our planet, from giant squid and jellyfish to anglerfish with bioluminescent lures that draw prey into their toothy mouths. Into the Great Wide Ocean takes readers inside the peculiar world of the seagoing scientists who are providing tantalizing new insights into how the animals of the open ocean solve the problems of their existence. Sönke Johnsen vividly describes how life in the water column of the open sea contends with a host of environmental challenges, such as gravity, movement, the absence of light, pressure that could crush a truck, catching food while not becoming food, finding a mate, raising young, and forming communities. He interweaves stories about the joys and hardships of the scientists who explore this beautiful and mysterious realm, which is under threat from human activity and rapidly changing before our eyes. Into the Great Wide Ocean presents the sea and its inhabitants as you have never seen them before and reminds us that the rules of survival in the open ocean, though they may seem strange to us, are the primary rules of life on Earth.