The Human, the Orchid, and the Octopus : Exploring and Conserving Our Natural World

Part adventure story, part manifesto, the legendary ocean explorer's passionate plea for sustaining life on earth. Explorer, diving pioneer, filmmaker, inventor, and activist, Jacques Cousteau was blessed from his childhood with boundless curiosity about the natural world. As the leader of fascinating, often dangerous expeditions all over the planet, he discovered firsthand the complexity and beauty of life on earth and undersea--and watched the toll taken by human activity in the twentieth century. In this magnificent last book, finally available for the first time in the United States, Cousteau describes his deeply informed philosophy about protecting our world for future generations. Weaving gripping stories of his adventures throughout, he and coauthor Susan Schiefelbein address the risks we take with human health, the overfishing and sacking of the world's oceans, the hazards of nuclear proliferation, and the environmental responsibility of scientists, politicians, and people of faith. Cousteau's lyrical, passionate call for action to protect our earth and seas and their myriad life forms is even more relevant today than when this book was completed in 1996. Written over the last ten years of his life with frequent collaborator Schiefelbein, who also introduces the text and provides an update on environmental developments in the decade since Cousteau's death, this prescient, clear-sighted book is a remarkable testament to the life and work of one of our greatest modern adventurers. Explorer, Diving Pioneer, Filmmaker, Inventor, And Activist, Jacques Cousteau Was Blessed From Childhood With Boundless Curiosity About The Natural World. As The Leader Of Fascinating, Often Dangerous Expeditions All Over The Planet, He Discovered Firsthand The Complexity And Beauty Of Life On Earth And Undersea--and Watched The Toll Taken By Human Activity. In His Last Book, Written Over The Last Ten Years Of His Life And Finally Available In The United States, Cousteau Describes His Philosophy About Protecting Our World For Future Generations. Weaving Stories Of His Adventures Throughout, He And Collaborator Susan Schiefelbein Address The Risks We Take With Human Health, The Overfishing And Sacking Of The World's Oceans, The Hazards Of Nuclear Proliferation, And The Environmental Responsibility Of Scientists, Politicians, And People Of Faith. Cousteau's Lyrical, Passionate Call For Action Is Even More Relevant Today Than When This Book Was Completed In 1996.--from Publisher Description. The Drive To Explore -- Personal Risk -- Public Risk -- Irreplaceable Water, Irreplaceable Air -- The Holy Scriptures And The Environment -- Saccage -- Catch As Catch Can -- Science And Human Values -- The Hot Peace : Nuclear Weapons And Nuclear Energy -- Life In A Billion Years -- The Miracle Of Life : The Human, The Orchid, And The Octopus -- Epilogue: An Update Since The Writing Of This Book. Jacques Cousteau And Susan Schiefelbein. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 303-305). The beloved explorer Jacques Cousteau witnessed firsthand the complexity and beauty of life on earth and undersea-and watched the toll taken by human activity in the twentieth century. In this magnificent last book, now available for the first time in the United States, Cousteau describes his deeply informed philosophy about protecting our world for future generations. Weaving gripping stories of his adventures throughout, he and coauthor Susan Schiefelbein address the risks we take with human health, the overfishing and sacking of the world's oceans, the hazards of nuclear proliferation, and the environmental responsibility of scientists, politicians, and people of faith. This prescient, clear-sighted book is a remarkable testament to the life and work of one of our greatest modern adventurers. "An electrifying, many-faceted masterwork."-Booklist Jacques Cousteau (1910-1997) was world-renowned as an ocean explorer, filmmaker, educator, and environmental activist. He won three Oscars and the Palme d'Or for his films, and wrote or coauthored more than seventy-five books. Susan Schiefelbein has won the National Magazine Award and the Front Page Award for her cover stories on social issues. A former editor at the Saturday Review, she went on to write the narration for many of Cousteau's documentary films. She lives in Paris. The beloved explorer Jacques Cousteau witnessed firsthand the complexity and beauty of life on earth and undersea-and watched the toll taken by human activity in the twentieth century. In this magnificent last book, now available for the first time in the United States, Cousteau describes his deeply informed philosophy about protecting our world for future generations. Weaving gripping stories of his adventures throughout, he and coauthor Susan Schiefelbein address the risks we take with human health, the overfishing and sacking of the world's oceans, the hazards of nuclear proliferation, and the environmental responsibility of scientists, politicians, and people of faith. This prescient, clear-sighted book is a remarkable testament to the life and work of one of our greatest modern adventurers. "An electrifying, many-faceted masterwork."-Booklist Jacques Cousteau (1910-1997) was world-renowned as an ocean explorer, filmmaker, educator, and environmental activist. He won three... ebook,book Part adventure story, part manifesto, this prescient, clear-sighted book, available for the first time in the United States, is a remarkable testament to the life and work of one of our greatest modern adventurers