The Invisible Sea and Obscure Cultures

About the Book

How do coral reefs get built, how and what destroys them? Of what importance are reefs to humans? Does man's activities on earth have anything to do with the condition of our oceans? What is Biodiversity and is it important to life on earth? This and so much more is the emphasis of this book. Answers to what we as people can do to sustain life in the ocean and on earth are revealed. The author writes about the cultures and history he encounters, people he talks to in a pull no punch, humorous style where you live the experiences as they happen and learn the marine science from your reading. There is fun and hazard in diving and sailing the Pacific from Alaska to south New Zealand doing research for 30 years on the conditions of the Pacific that affect your life.

What people are saying about The Invisible Sea and Obscure Cultures:

This book has been most helpful and interesting in opening my eyes to life under the sea as it tells in detail how this ecosystem affects and sustains the world we live in. The book describes how the various cultures impact the animal life of the sea and how these cultures that compete for space and places to grow must depend on the ocean.

Also it shows how critically important it is that humans learn to co-exist with and nourish sea life and try to slow down the degradation that is now occurring.

The underwater photography of sea life as well as the photos of the islands are spectacular.

Bob Fielder,
La Jolla, California

About the Author

Randy Kent is a Marine Biologist; a Teacher of Marine Science at California State University Moss Landing; Consultant for San Francisco Bay Area Conservation Development Commission; Teacher and Curriculum writer for Santa Clara County, Schools California U.S.A. (Silicon Valley), and writer of numerous guidebooks for biology students.

Testimonials

Dear Randy,

"THE INVISIBLE SEA AND OBSCURE CULTURES certainly shows that you can't take the boy out of the man - especially when the man likes any ole swimming hole. I've never heard of anyone who made a lifetime career more fun than you have. Your story ought to be told in all primary grade classrooms in the country. The books' informal style appeals to me. It creates a sense of immediacy that helps convey your own joy. Are you familiar with Gaugin's "Intimate Journals" and "Noa Noa"? He and you seem to have somewhat the same views of Tahitian society. A century earlier than your trip Darwin made his voyage on the Beagle over much of the same territory that you covered, but without the advantage of scuba gear. It would be interesting to have Darwin's conclusions compared to yours as your trip progressed."
Dick Geckler
Du Pauw University, Chemistry/Mathematics
Occupation: Rocket Scientist, Mathematician

Dear Randy,

I have really enjoyed reading the book. I've decided it's really more of a book about the different cultural practices and how cleverly you were able to build them around the ocean and the ocean species. I hope you can interest schools in buying the book. Perhaps the U. of Hawaii or the community colleges would be interested.
Dorothea Ovio
Education: San Jose State U. and U. of Hawaii
Profession: High School teacher, Kaneohe, HI