by David Attenborough and Colin Butfield
- Non-Fiction
- Ocean
- Environmental
- Conservation
Ocean aims to raise awareness about the ecological and conservation efforts needed to save our oceans—and, in turn, our planet. I picked this up after absolutely loving David Attenborough’s A Life on Our Planet, and because I’ve always enjoyed watching his TV shows, I wanted to read more of his work.
The book is split into sections that explore different parts of the ocean, such as the deep sea, mangroves, coral reefs, and more. It’s clearly laid out and easy to follow.
As someone who already understands the urgency of protecting our oceans and the wider environmental impact, I found it a little hard to stay fully engaged at times. It didn’t grab me quite like A Life on Our Planet did. You can tell Ocean was written to accompany the documentary film of the same name—it reads more like something designed for a visual format, and I think that came through.
That said, this might be why I didn’t feel I got as much out of it—it could just be that I already have a strong interest in environmental topics. For someone less familiar with these issues, this book would be an invaluable starting point. It’s packed with accessible insights into the incredible diversity of life in our oceans and the growing threats we’re placing on them.
Co-written by David Attenborough and Colin Butfield, the book has a personal and persuasive tone. Attenborough draws from his lifetime of experience, making the content feel grounded and relatable. The level of research is clear, especially with the extensive further reading section at the end.
One of my main takeaways was learning more about mangroves—an area I didn’t know much about before. I hadn’t realised just how crucial they are to the health of the planet. I also appreciate that the book manages to raise awareness without relying on fear tactics. While there’s an argument that scaring people might prompt more immediate action, it can also be overwhelming and disempowering. This book strikes a balance, which I think is important.
I’d recommend Ocean to anyone interested in the natural world, especially those wanting to understand the different ecosystems within our oceans and the importance of conservation. Who knows—it might even inspire someone to pursue a career that helps protect them.
Leave a Reply