The Brilliant Abyss: Exploring the Majestic Hidden Life of the Deep Ocean, and the Looming Threat That Imperils It

Written by Helen Scales

Narrated by Helen Scales

A golden era of deep-sea discovery is underway as revolutionary studies rewrite the very notion of life on Earth and the rules of what is possible. In the process, the abyss is being revealed as perhaps the most amazing part of our planet, its topography even more varied and extreme than its landmass counterpart.

Teeming with unsuspected life, an extraordinary, interconnected ecosystem deep below the waves has a huge effect on our daily lives, influencing climate and weather systems, with the potential for much more-good or bad, depending on how it is exploited. Currently, the fantastic creatures that live in the deep-many of them incandescent in a world without light-and its formations capture and trap vast quantities of carbon that would otherwise poison our atmosphere, and novel bacteria as yet undiscovered hold the promise of potent new medicines. Yet the deep also holds huge mineral riches lusted after by nations and corporations; mining them could ultimately devastate the planet, compounded by the deepening impacts of ubiquitous pollutants and rampant overfishing.

Eloquently and passionately, the author of Spirals in Time and Eye of the Shoal brings to life the majesty and mystery of an alien realm that nonetheless sustains us, while urgently making clear the price we could pay if it is further disrupted.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc
• Release date: Jul 13, 2021
• ISBN: 9781666139563

Helen Scales

Helen Scales is a marine biologist, writer and broadcaster. Her stories of the ocean appear in various publications including National Geographic Magazine, the Guardian and New Scientist. Among her books are the Guardian bestseller Spirals in Time, which was nominated for the Royal Society of Biology Book Award, New Scientist book of the year Eye of the Shoal, and The Brilliant Abyss. Helen teaches at Cambridge University, is scientific advisor to the marine conservation charity Sea Changers, and divides her time between Cambridge, England and the French coast of Finistère. @helenscales / helenscales.com

Reviews for The Brilliant Abyss

[Kathy Miller · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

The kind of people who choose this type of book already know about climate change and pollution. You're literally preaching to the choir. It would make a lot more sense to talk about all the little known wonders of the ocean to inspire more people to love it and care about what imperils it.

[Willard McCullough · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The book is fantastic for science/ocean/nature lovers. There are a few moments where it gets a bit too preachy with the climate crisis parts since most people reading this probably already believe it's real. But don't let that detract from the hours of fascinating description of life in the deep. The writing is very engaging and keeps you interested while learning about so many things you never knew existed (iron scale covered snail anyone?). The narration is lovely, a wonderful accent without being hard to understand.