If you’re new to my blog, you might not know that I’m on a quest to read every academic book available on sharks. While great white sharks are certainly a focus, my goal encompasses all sharks, skates, and rays. Recently, I reviewed Chasing Shadows by Greg Skomal, a prominent shark researcher. If you’re interested in my review of Chasing Shadows, you can check it out here.
While reading Chasing Shadows, I noticed a promotion in the back for two upcoming books by Skomal: a handbook on sharks and The Great White Shark Handbook, which is the subject of today’s review. If you’re curious about my thoughts on the other Shark handbook, stay tuned for that review link here.
A Compact Guide Packed with Insight
The Great White Shark Handbook is exactly what the title suggests: it’s a thorough, engaging guide on great white sharks, packed with relevant information in a conveniently compact format. Despite its 200-page length, the book is surprisingly comprehensive, covering everything from shark biology to ecotourism. It’s a light, accessible read, thanks to Skomal’s use of everyday language. Even though he’s a scientist, you won’t find yourself needing to look up technical jargon as you go through the chapters. Whenever technical terms or concepts are introduced, they’re clearly broken down into layman’s terms, making the book enjoyable for both casual readers and those with a deeper interest in marine biology.
Highlights of the Handbook
One of my favorite sections is Chapter 6, which covers the growing phenomenon of shark ecotourism. Skomal delves into the increasing opportunities for people to dive with great whites, turning what was once a feared predator into the focal point of “extreme” adventures. I appreciated how he explored the delicate balance between the benefits of raising awareness and promoting conservation and the risks of exploiting these creatures for profit. Skomal makes the case that these encounters could be key to changing public perception, shifting the narrative from fear to fascination and leading to stronger protections for the species.
Chapter 7 is another standout, where Skomal dispels common misconceptions about shark attacks. He presents the facts: How often do attacks really occur? Are great white sharks truly responsible for most attacks, or are they wrongly blamed for incidents involving other species? This chapter provides a refreshing, fact-based look at shark attack statistics, challenging the widespread belief that great whites are the ocean’s biggest threat to humans.
A Few Quibbles
Although I thoroughly enjoyed the content, my biggest complaint is the book’s size. The handbook format is compact, which makes it easy to carry along on a trip, but the small pages don’t do justice to the stunning images inside. The double-page spreads, in particular, would look far more impressive in a full-sized format. I would love to see this book offered in both standard and compact sizes to give readers the best of both worlds: convenience and visual impact.
Final Thoughts
The Great White Shark Handbook is an excellent, casual read for anyone interested in learning more about one of the ocean’s most iconic predators. It’s the perfect companion during Shark Week or on a dive trip, offering factual insights that go beyond the sensationalism often associated with great whites. With well-organized chapters, easy-to-understand language, and a valuable appendix for further reading, it’s a must-read for shark enthusiasts at any level. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars, docking a point only because the compact size doesn’t do full justice to its incredible visuals.