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Swordfish: A Biography Of The Ocean GladiatorStock informationGeneral Fields
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DescriptionA perfect fish in the evolutionary sense, the broadbill swordfish derives its name from its distinctive bill - much longer and wider than the bill of any other billfish - which is flattened into the sword we all recognize. And though the majesty and allure of this warrior fish has commanded much attention - from adventurous sportfishers eager to land one to ravenous diners eager to taste one - no one has yet been bold enough to truly take on the swordfish as a biographer. Who better to do so than Richard Ellis, a master of marine natural history? "Swordfish" is his ode to this mighty fighter. The swordfish, whose scientific name means "gladiator," can take on anyone and anything, including ships, boats, sharks, submarines, divers, and whales, and in this book Ellis regales us with tales of its vitality and strength. He makes it easy to understand why the fish has inspired so many to take up the challenge of epic sportfishing battles as well as the longline fishing expeditions recounted by writers such as Linda Greenlaw and Sebastian Junger. Reviews"Richard Ellis writes that the swordfish is a 'graceful, tapered teardrop of a fish' that has enchanted and mystified humans since their most ancient encounters with this unique being. Ellis is one of a kind, too, a meticulous researcher and a fine writer who has brought to life more creatures of the sea than anyone working today. They come together in Swordfish for a great read and a valuable addition to our understanding of the ocean and its inhabitants." -Brad Matsen, author of Jacques Cousteau: The Sea King" Author descriptionRichard Ellis is the author of more than twenty books on marine life, including The Search for the Giant Squid, The Empty Ocean, Tuna: A Love Story, The Great Sperm Whale, and Shark: A Visual History. A renowned painter of marine natural history, his paintings have appeared in such publications as Skin Diver, Audubon, National Wildlife, National Geographic, and the Encyclopaedia Britannica, as well as his own books. |