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Natural History

If only they were easier to love

by Kathleen Steele
February 2010, no. 318

Shark: In peril in the sea by David Owen

Allen & Unwin $35 hb, 328 pp

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The press release for David Owen’s latest book describes it as a ‘thoroughly researched’ work by a shark ‘outsider’ that aims to ‘comprehensively overturn our negative and damaging perceptions of sharks’. I cannot claim expert knowledge of sharks, but personal experience makes me a suitable subject on which to measure the author’s effectiveness. When I was a child, one of my sisters was bitten in shallow water by a shark that had breached a netted beach in North Queensland. Although her injuries were not life-threatening, the resulting panic had a lasting effect: I rarely swim in the ocean, and have a healthy respect for sharks.

 


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Shark: In peril in the sea by David Owen

Allen & Unwin $35 hb, 328 pp

ABR receives a commission on items purchased through this link. All ABR reviews are fully independent.


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