The enthralling examination of one of the most popular and most intriguing animals in the deep blue seaThe ocean is the last remaining source of profound mystery and discovery on Earth with eighty percent of it still largely unexplored; thus, it is of perennial fascination. In Kraken: The Curious, Exciting, and Slightly Disturbing Science of Squid, journalist Wendy Williams introduces one of the ocean's most charismatic, monstrous, enigmatic, and curious inhabitants: the squid. More than just calamari, squid species are fascinatingly odd creatures, with much to teach us about our own species, not to mention the obsessive interest so many of us can't help but have for the enormous beast that is the giant squid, which is quick to attack sperm whales, and even submarines and boats. Williams also examines other equally enthralling cephalopods, including the octopus and the cuttlefish, and explores their otherworldly abilities, such as camouflage and bioluminescence. Kraken takes the reader on a wild ride through the world of squid science and adventure, along the way answering some riddles about how the human brain works, what intelligence really is, and what monsters lie in the deep. Wendy Williams weaves a rich narrative tapestry around her subject, drawing powerfully on the passions and discoveries of scientists, fisherman, and squid enthusiasts around the world.
SUCCESSFUL HARDCOVER WITH BACKLIST POTENTIAL: The book was enthusiastically received by critics and the scientific community and sold about twelve thousand copies, and the author gets requests for it to come back in print often. This book will have a long life in paperback. FASCINATING SCIENCE: Scientists joke that squids should win the Nobel Prize for all the discoveries they've facilitated. Current squid-enabled research includes finding a cure for Alzheimer¿s, figuring out how to stretch or regenerate damaged human nerves, and finding better camouflage technologies.STRONG CATEGORY: Kraken falls squarely into the popularly-written, single subject books on natural history like Mark Kurlansky¿s Cod and The Big Oyster.
