To visit an aquarium is to know the unsurpassed peace and wonder that comes from a proximity to the underwater world. Photographer David Liittschwager (Archipelago, with Susan Middleton) agrees, and his Octopus, Seahorse, Jellyfish offers a stunning glimpse into this world, a view into those mysterious depths now made accessible from homes or libraries. With a foreword and essay by Pulitzer Prize-winning science writer Elizabeth Kolbert, who admires the "stunning, sinuous beauty" that Liittschwager captures with his camera, and additional essays from Olivia Judson and Jennifer Holland, the collection makes wise use of the engaging and informational texts. However, it is the artistry of Liittschwager that will draw readers in, while inspiring awe on every page.
In this brilliantly designed book of photography, truly beautiful to behold, every detail has been considered--the fonts, the judicious use of white space, and the selection and layout of the dozens of vivid photographs. But it is more than just a visual stunner: it also highlights humanity's role in the destruction and preservation of these and countless other species, while simultaneously contextualizing humans within the broader sweep of nature. "When I remember that an octopus has a more efficient eye design than we humans have," Liittschwager explains in the introduction, "I am persuaded that humans are maybe not the pinnacle of evolution, but an untidy work in progress." All art is perspective, and this book invites readers to shift their perspectives toward those creatures not usually seen but still worthy of admiration and protection. --Sara Beth West, freelance reviewer and librarian