Jellyfish: A Natural History

This excellent book serves as a wonderful, and photographically fantastic, overview of 'jellyfish.' Fair warning, this book is not merely about cnidarians, but takes term jellyfish as broadly as possible and includes almost equally large amounts of information on comb jelly (ctenophores) and salps (an order of tunicates) groups that are less well known but equally fascinating and beautiful. The text and pictures manages to successfully integrate these organisms across a very broad perspective treating similar physiology with reference to ecology, human interaction, and visual appeal.

Gift

My kid is obsessed with jellyfish and he couldn’t find any jellyfish books and when I came across this book I knew he would love it

Such a beautiful book! There's, unfortunately, not a lot of jellyfish books available. At least not ones that cover different types of jellyfish in detail. This book just does that. It's a mini-encyclopedia, if you will, about all different kinds of jellies. Ones you've never heard of, I'm sure.It's divided into five lengthy chapters. Each one covers different topics over jellyfish. Such as, history, ecology, taxonomy, etc. The book is filled to the brim with wonderful images, detailed drawings and great explanations. The pages are also made of a very sturdy material; they're not flimsy. After each chapter, there's two pages covering a specific type of jelly (see images). It's definitely what I've been looking for!I thank Lisa-Ann Gershwin for this lovely book! As well as all the other great people that took part in making it.Please, continue! Do not let this be the end. We need more books that cover jellyfish in such wonderful spotlights as this book did. Go big next time, include even more jellyfish!If you're on the fence, you won't regret this purchase. Wanna learn more about jellyfish, but are worried to be overwhelmed? This book simplifies the materials and presents it back in a very colorful and easy-to-read way.If you're a fan of jellies, you already have this!

I bought this book both because I am obsessed with the ethereal nature of jellyfish and also as a photo reference for painting.It's a beautiful and informative book and the first of its kind- a big volume of information, statistics, and photos of all sorts of jellyfish. I can't stop flipping through it.One thing to note, especially for those who are buying this book specifically for the photos- these aren't the "atmospheric" Instagram-filtered, heavy-color-saturation photos you see all over the place online- these are detailed, full-specimen images of jelly fish that serve to show off all the creatures in a very clear and concise way. I'll admit that I was a tiny bit disappointed by that, but I realized that the photos are some of the most complete and clear images of the most varieties of jellyfish I have ever seen.If you love jellyfish, and you're looking for a good book to have on your shelf, THIS is the one.

The numerous full-page, full-color pictures of the jellyfish (some whose bell is over a meter wide, some that are as small as a thumb nail) are simply beautiful! For that reason, the book belongs on a coffee table. But it is not all looks. The text travels on two-levels. It provides accessible details about jellyfish (for general readers) and then it gets very scientific (for those looking for more technical answers). I continue to stare and the pictures and read the text. Incredible.

Wow! This book is a work of art. It has beautiful photos and is extremely well written. My daughter is obsessed with Jellyfish and has thoroughly enjoyed this book.

If you're a fan of jellyfish or want to learn more about them, then I can't think of a better book. I love that it shows all the different types of jellyfish in the world and even gives you facts about them. The book is a beautiful encyclopedia of jellyfish. Photos are magnificent.

The hot summer and jellyfis blooms inspired this purchase.Excellent quality images, and great to wonder whether these creatures have arisen in the oceans of the gas giants' moons.I did think the life history section could (and should) have been written much more engagingly. It does rather come across too much like an academic's take on life, which is not really who this book is aimed at. Many of the diagrams' labelling are also practically impossible to read due to an inappropriate font scaling.

Stunning photography and interesting text. Though the concepts covered are simple they are covered to a fairly advanced level in digestable language. I study marine biology and am focusing on jellies (dissertation ect) and I really recomend Gershwin's writing (her other book stung is very good if this book interests you) for it is educational and entertaining. This book sits pride of place on my coffee table.

Fantastic book. I love jellyfish. How can there be such strange creatures in the world. Thank goodness there are though! The photographs are stunning and make you just gasp with surprise and delight at their beautiful, intricate forms. Great price for this gem. many thanks.

Very interesting. I bought it as a present but read it myself. Lovely pictures and very imformative - explains why we get blooms, their evolution and why they have survived so well. Includes loads (I assume all) variations, where they live, how they feed, predators, stings etc. Brilliant!

Finally a book that is both beautiful and packed with information! Recommend to anyone with an interest in jellyfish - gives a great overview of their evolutionary history, taxonomy and life strategies as well as more detailed information on individual species.