Michael Molloy: Well written and highly readable - combines academic insights with relatable stories and anecdotes. Enjoyable through and through with chapters laid out upon topics ranging from explorers to shell composition to “shell mania” and others.
Loved it !
Singapore on May 21, 2023
Erica H Gies: Collecting seashells is a seemingly universal joy. Barnett taps into this elemental experience to show us how we are connected to people through time and around the world. She uses this engagement to teach us about the animals who live in the shells and their challenges, and those issues are a gateway to learning about how human activities -- such as over-harvesting and climate change -- are altering and challenging the oceans. Barnett is a beautiful writer and this tale is full of intriguing characters and amazing locales. One detail I found particularly compelling was the early 20th century hobby of building art from seashells; I did this myself as a child without even knowing it was a thing. The Sound of the Sea is from a leading science writer at the top of her game: a joy to read, while simultaneously raising troubling questions about our relationship with marine mollusks, oceans, and the planet.
United States on Dec 06, 2022
TimTim: I have always liked looking at the shells that I would find along the beach, probably more so as a child than today as an adult. And I am part of the 10% of the population that already knew that shells come from a living organism.
Cynthia Barnett's book gave me a well-informed insight to the history of Earth's seashells, more than I ever knew before. I am already aware of how the acidification of the oceans affect the shell's thinning structure. But learning about their journey through Earth's history, (over)harvesting, obvious food source, use as currency (for good and bad), souvenir hoarding, religious icon and burial use, and the shell animal's realistic concept as a source for disease cures and alternative energy resources is quite astonishing.
There is much information that Cynthia researched over the past several years, and she did a great job organizing it into the chapters of the book. I recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about seashells, the oceans, human culture's attachment to both, and where we need to move forward in fighting climate change as well as providing for people's well-being. She is a great advocate for all facets of...
United States on Jun 10, 2022
Cuddles Millon: But there are NO color photos of any shells. None. At the start of each chapter there is a pencil drawing of a shell. This detracted for me the enjoyment of the book.
United States on Aug 13, 2021
Robert R. Osborne: I love historical markers. I guess it’s because they make us stop for one moment. Markers help us see an event, object, or place in a new light. Beyond pointing out facts, they connect us to the past. They even show us how far we have come and sometimes even show us our future trajectory.
Cynthia’s book is a big, beautiful historical marker, dedicated to seashells, hidden in a novel. I have never really thought about these beautiful artifacts beyond my annual one-week getaways to the beach. I was embarrassed to discover how little I knew about seashells. Cynthia has a talent for weaving history, science, and people together, where you can almost feel the sand on your fingertips as your turn the pages. Most importantly, Cynthia connects us on a human level with the sea. I especially loved the story of the Shell Oil Company, which began with a seashell-souvenir selling entrepreneur.
Sound of the Sea is a book to savor. My annual trip to the beach will never be the same.
United States on Aug 08, 2021
| Uncovering the Secrets of the Sea: Exploring the Impact of Seashells on the Oceans | Explore the World's History with this Detailed Map by Map Guide | Deirdre Mask's Address Book: Keep Track of Your Contacts and Stay Connected | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
 |
 |
|
| B2B Rating |
96
|
97
|
96
|
| Sale off | $13 OFF | $20 OFF | $2 OFF |
| Total Reviews | 53 reviews | 241 reviews | 63 reviews |
| ISBN-10 | 0393651444 | ||
| Dimensions | 6.5 x 1.4 x 9.6 inches | ||
| Language | English | ||
| Hardcover | 432 pages | ||
| Seashells (Books) | Seashells | ||
| Best Sellers Rank | #21 in Seashells #29 in Coastal Ecosystems#207 in Natural History | #10 in Historical Geography #17 in History Encyclopedias #21 in Historical Study Reference | #7 in Historical Geography #27 in Sociology of Class #43 in History of Civilization & Culture |
| Customer Reviews | 4.7/5 stars of 220 ratings | 4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 7,167 ratings var dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction; P.when.execute { if { dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction = true; A.declarative { if { ue.count || 0) + 1); } } ); } }); P.when.execute { A.declarative{ if { ue.count || 0) + 1); } }); }); | 4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 969 ratings var dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction; P.when.execute { if { dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction = true; A.declarative { if { ue.count || 0) + 1); } } ); } }); P.when.execute { A.declarative{ if { ue.count || 0) + 1); } }); }); |
| Coastal Ecosystems | Coastal Ecosystems | ||
| Natural History (Books) | Natural History | ||
| ISBN-13 | 978-0393651447 | ||
| Publisher | W. W. Norton & Company | ||
| Item Weight | 2.31 pounds |
United States on Jun 07, 2023