covediver
Contributor
On a recnt trip to Australia on my way to dive the Great Barrier Reef, I came across James Woodford's new book, The Great Barrier Reef: In Search of the Real Reef, while browsing through a bookstore at Sydney airport. The author tells the story of his experience on the Great Barrier Reef as a scientific diver helping out on various research projects, even though he is a journalist and not a trained scientist.
I was intrqued by the book for a couple of different reasons. Obviously, this was the most recent popular press book I had found on a place that I was go to in order to dive. I had read a Reef in Time a few years ago because of a promise that I made myself to dive the GBR someday. Now I was on my way to do just that and had found a book on the subject. Second, I was trained as a scientific research diver in California and had worked as a paid and volunteer research diver inspite of the fact that I am not credentialed in the natural sciences. So I could identify with some of the experiences that the author went through. Third, on close examination the author put into context many of the controversies and problems facing the reef today, climate change, coral bleaching, species abundance, and the management regime. Fourth, he tells the story of the the behind the scenes operation of scientific research station and the impressive number of dedicated scientists, most working in anonymity, in order to conduct research on the reef. I have faced similar circumstances and conditions in my work as a scientific research diver. Finally, he puts into words the symbolism of the reef to Australians as well as others.
I enjoyed reading this book, especially as I was about to go to many of the places the book describes.
Not quite sure how to order it; it is not available on amazon.com except as a kindle edition or barnesandnoble.com websites.
I was intrqued by the book for a couple of different reasons. Obviously, this was the most recent popular press book I had found on a place that I was go to in order to dive. I had read a Reef in Time a few years ago because of a promise that I made myself to dive the GBR someday. Now I was on my way to do just that and had found a book on the subject. Second, I was trained as a scientific research diver in California and had worked as a paid and volunteer research diver inspite of the fact that I am not credentialed in the natural sciences. So I could identify with some of the experiences that the author went through. Third, on close examination the author put into context many of the controversies and problems facing the reef today, climate change, coral bleaching, species abundance, and the management regime. Fourth, he tells the story of the the behind the scenes operation of scientific research station and the impressive number of dedicated scientists, most working in anonymity, in order to conduct research on the reef. I have faced similar circumstances and conditions in my work as a scientific research diver. Finally, he puts into words the symbolism of the reef to Australians as well as others.
I enjoyed reading this book, especially as I was about to go to many of the places the book describes.
Not quite sure how to order it; it is not available on amazon.com except as a kindle edition or barnesandnoble.com websites.
