annieb123's Review of The Secret History of Sharks

by John Long

From ancient megalodons to fearsome Great Whites, this book tells the complete, untold story of how sharks emerged as Earth’s ultimate survivors, by world-leading paleontologist John Long.

“Will keep you on the edge of your seat from its first page to its last page.”—Jared Diamond, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Guns, Germs, and Steel

Sharks have been fighting for their lives for 500 million years and today are under dire threat. They are the longest-surviving vertebrate on Earth, outlasting multiple mass extinction events that decimated life on the planet. But how did they thrive for so long? By developing superpower-like abilities that allowed them to ascend to the top of the oceanic food chain.

John Long, who for decades has been on the cutting edge of shark research, weaves a thrilling story of sharks’ unparalleled reign. The Secret History of Sharks showcases the global search to discover sharks’ largely unknown evolution, led by Long and dozens of other extraordinary scientists. They embark on digs to all seven continents, investigating layers of rock and using cutting-edge technology to reveal never-before-found fossils and the clues to sharks’ singular story.

As the tale unfolds, Long introduces an enormous range of astonishing organisms: a thirty-foot-long shark with a deadly saw blade of jagged teeth protruding from its lower jaws, a monster giant clams crusher, and bizarre sharks fossilized while in their mating ritual. The book also includes startling new facts about the mighty megalodon, with its sixty-six-foot-long body, massive jaws, and six-inch serrated teeth.

With insights into the threats to sharks today, how they contribute to medical advances, and the lessons they can teach us about our own survival, The Secret History of Sharks is a riveting look at scientific discovery with ramifications far beyond the ocean.

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

The Secret History of Sharks is a layman accessible nonfiction book full of info about sharks and related species by Dr. John Long. Due out 2nd July 2024 by Penguin Random House on their Ballantine imprint, it's 480 pages and will be available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

The author has a knack for explaining long and complex historical events with engagement and aplomb. Sharks are endlessly fascinating and the success of media, movies, stories, and books attest to the near-universal appeal, and the author has both the enthusiasm and expertise to draw readers along with him.

The book is written and arranged logically, more or less chronologically, from the earliest prehistorical clues through to the modern day of habitat loss, changing climate, and pollution woes which threaten everyone's continued existence. Particularly sad for animals who have thrived, even dominated, their ecological niche for more than 420million years.

The book is full of stories from the author's field work, finding fossils which give a clue to the most distant past, his journey to becoming a paleontologist, experiences as an academic, and sharks, sharks (and more sharks), their ecological and biological importance, and some of the interdependence of all life on planet Earth.

It's lightly illustrated throughout, and there are a fair number of cool charts and photos of both sharks, fossils, and some of the academics of paleontology. It's not written in academically rigorous language, but it -is- well annotated throughout and with up-to-date resources and links which will provide readers with many hours of further enjoyment.

Five stars. Mostly aimed at adult readers, it would nevertheless be accessible to a keen youngster (12 year old me would've LOVED this book). The focus is more on the academics and field work than on actual living shark species, but a thorough read will provide loads of info about living and extinct species and the folks who have made them their life's work.

Definitely one for public or secondary school library acquisition, home use, or gifting.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Reading updates

29 June, 2024: Started reading

29 June, 2024: Finished reading

29 June, 2024: Reviewed