Comprehensive ... Pinchin fleshes out her book with every imaginable fact about the big fish, often multiple-sourcing her information ... Even-handed ... Exhaustive and engaging.
Ms. Pinchin writes acutely about the codependence between fisheries science and politics ... There are other rich characters here as well, and fascinating excursions into the cul-de-sacs of this world ... [A] wide-angle, freewheeling story.
The descriptions of Amelia’s undersea wanderings are where Pinchin’s writing really comes alive, manifesting her passion for protecting all marine life. The author ends with a recap of current conservation efforts and a solemn reminder of how human actions too often interfere with fragile, interdependent ecosystems.
Cautionary and riveting ... Enthralls, instructs and is a must-read for readers concerned about the future of our oceans and the creatures within them.
A competent examination ... Though the surfeit of detail on Anderson’s life distracts, Pinchin provides a solid analysis of the far-reaching consequences of human action on marine life, noting, for instance, that excessive fishing of tuna can lead to the overpopulation of the crab and shrimp they prey on. This is at its best when it’s focused on the fish.
