Kraken: The Curious, Exciting, and Slightly Disturbing Science of Squid

by Wendy Williams

Overview

From the New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of The Horse comes the enthralling examination of one of the most popular and most intriguing animals in the deep blue sea.

The ocean is the last remaining source of profound mystery and discovery on Earth with 80 percent of it still largely unexplored; thus, it is of perennial fascination. In Kraken: The Curious, Exciting, and Slightly Disturbing Science of Squid, journalist Wendy Williams introduces one of the ocean’s most charismatic, monstrous, enigmatic, and curious inhabitants: the squid. More than just calamari, squid species are fascinatingly odd creatures, with much to teach us about our own species, not to mention the obsessive interest so many of us can’t help but have for the enormous beast that is the giant squid, which is quick to attack sperm whales, and even submarines and boats.

Williams also examines other equally enthralling cephalopods, including the octopus and the cuttlefish, and explores their otherworldly abilities, such as camouflage and bioluminescence. Kraken takes the reader on a wild ride through the world of squid science and adventure, along the way answering some riddles about how the human brain works, what intelligence really is, and what monsters lie in the deep. Wendy Williams weaves a rich narrative tapestry around her subject, drawing powerfully on the passions and discoveries of scientists, fisherman, and squid enthusiasts around the world.

“Abounds with both ancient legend and modern science.” —Discover magazine

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780810984660
Publisher:	Abrams Press
Publication date:	07/05/2022
Pages:	224
Sales rank:	405,862
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.25(h) x 0.95(d)

About the Author

Wendy Williams is a journalist and author. She has written for the Boston Globe, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times and the Christian Science Monitor, among other publications. She is also the author of several books, including the New York Times bestseller The Horse, which was also chosen by the Wall Street Journal as a 2015 Best Book of the Year and won a Nautilus Book Award.

Table of Contents

Introduction From Vampire to Wallflower 8

Chapter 1 A Wonderful Fish 13

Chapter 2 A Saltwater Serengeti 30

Chapter 3 Blue Bloods 39

Chapter 4 Architeuthis on Ice 50

Chapter 5 Fuzzy Math and Tentacles 62

Chapter 6 Luminous Seas 78

Chapter 7 Diaphanous and Delicate 98

Chapter 8 Solving Frankenstein's Mystery 107

Chapter 9 Serendipitous Squid 121

Chapter 10 Heure d'Amour 132

Chapter 11 Playdate 147

Chapter 12 Fan Clubs and Film Stars 159

Chapter 13 One Lucky Sucker 170

Chapter 14 Smart Skin 184

Epilogue Curious, Exciting-Yet Slightly Disturbing 196

Acknowledgments 201

Bibliography 204

Videos 212

Credits 213

Index 214

Editorial Reviews

Did you know that your brain bears a strong resemblance to that of the giant squid and that studying the squid's brain may offer insight into a cure for Alzheimer's? Environmental journalist Williams (Cape Wind) traces sightings of the giant squid throughout the centuries. This sea monster was long dismissed as a legend until a 19th-century naturalist reeled in one of the organism's ten appendages. Discussion of the anatomy, physiology, reproduction, evolution, and taxonomy of Architeuthis is provided, along with accounts of the author's visits to various scientific laboratories and descriptions of research studies being conducted on the animal. VERDICT This volume provides background information to whet readers' curiosity and can be supplemented by Richard Ellis's The Search for the Giant Squid, which is a more comprehensive study. On its own, this serves as a good introduction to the subject for general readers and an inspiration to young people interested in marine biology.—Judith Barnett, Pell Marine Science Lib., Univ. of Rhode Island, Kingston

Library Journal