Drawing on more than three decades of experience writing about sharks and other marine animals, the bestselling author of Jaws combines high adventure with practical information in a book that is at once a thriller and a valuable guide to being safe in, on, under, and around the sea. “Shark attacks on human beings generate a tremendous amount of media coverage,” Benchley writes, “partly because they occur so rarely, but mostly, I think, because people are, and always have been, simultaneously intrigued and terrified by sharks. Sharks come from a wing of the dark castle where our nightmares live—deep water beyond our sight and understanding—and so they stimulate our fears and fantasies and imaginations.” Benchley describes the many types of sharks (including the ones that pose a genuine threat to man), what is and isn’t known about shark behavior, the odds against an attack and how to reduce them even further—all reinforced with the lessons he has learned, the mistakes he has made, and the personal perils he has encountered while producing television documentaries, bestselling novels, and articles about the sea and its inhabitants. He tells how to swim safely in the ocean, how to read the tides and currents, what behavior to avoid, and how to survive when danger suddenly strikes. He discusses how to tell children about sharks and the sea and how to develop, in young and old alike, a healthy respect for the ocean. As Benchley says, “The ocean is the only alien and potentially hostile environment on the planet into which we tend to venture without thinking about the animals that live there, how they behave, how they support themselves, and how they perceive us. I know of no one who would set off into the jungles of Malaysia armed only with a bathing suit, a tube of suntan cream, and a book, and yet that’s precisely how we approach the oceans.” No longer. Not after you’ve read Shark Trouble.
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"LOVED IT!!!! Sharks...love them. True stories....love them. Author of Jaws....Love him. To sum up....There's a whole lotta love for this book. Perhaps it's due to the medication I'm on but seriously, go read this one. It's short and could save your life one day. Chomp! "
— Jaime (5 out of 5 stars)
" I really enjoyed this book, oddly enough! Great message and some wonderful stories. "
— Jani, 4/11/2011" Hey, look this up: Jenny Haniver. You'll thank me. It's just a little something I learned from this book by Peter Benchley, famed author of Jaws. "
— Erika, 9/29/2010" Very impressive. Tons of useful material here if you plan to ever swim or set foot in the sea. Terrifying and inspiring stories. Lots of statistics. Interesting backround tales of Jaws in development. Very enjoyable, this one. "
— Samuel, 10/21/2009" Another must read for environmentalists, especially those who are interested in Marine Biology. "
— Charlie, 3/7/2009" Duuuuuude! So fun to read. I thought I would never want to go back into the water after reading this and I was right. It is full of useful info and interesting stories. I definitely recommend this one. "
— Dan, 2/16/2009" It's a pretty interesting book about sharks...by the author of Jaws! It's non-fiction but not too heavy on the science stuff. It's more of a memoir/personal experiance book. However, it's pretty fascinating to someone who knows nothing about sharks! "
— Melissa, 2/29/2008" this book is awesome and i just started. "
— Nate, 2/24/2008" If you are a shark lover, this is a must read! "
— Tim, 7/4/2007Peter Benchley (1940–2006) was an American author best known for writing the novel Jaws and cowriting the screenplay for its highly successful film adaptation. The success of the book led to many publishers commissioning books about mutant rats, rabid dogs, and the like threatening communities. The subsequent film directed by Steven Spielberg is generally acknowledged as the first summer blockbuster. Benchley also wrote The Deep and The Island, which were also adapted into films, and several other novels. A champion of conservation, he was a compelling author for shark fans and foes alike.