Sharks

Since people have been going to the sea, they have been in awe of sharks. Their formidable jaws and teeth seem to invoke in us an irrational fear that turns any shark attack into front-page news worldwide. Yet their powerful, streamlined bodies are also an inspiration to ship and submarine designers and their immune system may hold the key to fighting human diseases.

Michael Bright's exploration of the latest findings from research groups worldwide reveals sharks to be much more than just mindless, killing machines. It shows how they are the product of over 450 million years of evolution, honed to perfection as some of the sea's most sophisticated predators. Spectacular photographs help turn a creature that scared us into one that inspires. Illustrated with over 100 of the best shark images from around the world, Sharks is a comprehensive introduction the biology and behaviour of these fascinating and often misrepresented animals.