The Great Barrier Reef: History, Science, Heritage

by JamesBowen (Author), Margarita Bowen (Author)

New
Paperback
2011
$35.62

One of the world's natural wonders, the Great Barrier Reef stretches more than 2000 kilometres in a maze of coral reefs and islands along Australia's north-eastern coastline. Now unfolding the fascinating story behind its mystique this 2002 book provides for the first time a comprehensive cultural and ecological history of European impact, from early voyages of discovery to developments in Reef science and management. Incisive and a delight to read in its thorough account of the scientific, social and environmental consequences of European impact on the world's greatest coral reef system, this extraordinary book is sure to become a classic.

Synopsis

One of the world's natural wonders, the Great Barrier Reef stretches more than 2000 kilometres in a maze of coral reefs and islands along Australia's north-eastern coastline. Now unfolding the fascinating story behind its mystique this 2002 book provides for the first time a comprehensive cultural and ecological history of European impact, from early voyages of discovery to developments in Reef science and management. Incisive and a delight to read in its thorough account of the scientific, social and environmental consequences of European impact on the world's greatest coral reef system, this extraordinary book is sure to become a classic.

$35.62

Quantity

20+ in stock

More Information

Format: Paperback
Pages: 492
Edition: Reissue
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 17 Feb 2011
ISBN 10: 0521172799
ISBN 13: 9780521172790
Book Overview: This 2002 book provides a cultural and ecological history of European impact on the Great Barrier Reef.

Media Reviews

Review of the hardback: '... a work of dazzling accomplishment, meticulously researched and scientifically accurate ... the Bowen's book is ...a classic, which will doubtless be referred to as long as interest in the Reef persists'. The Times Literary Supplement
Review of the hardback: '... the book is full of facts and figures, the text is easy to read, the characters and issues come alive and it is altogether a fascinating account of an aspect of the Great Barrier Reef all too often forgotten. I recommend this book wholeheartedly to anyone interested in the evolution of scientific inquiry, the role of the Great Barrier Reef in our past and present, or in the development of the conservation movement in Australia.' Gee Chapman
Review of the hardback: 'This book has delighted me. It is what the Great Barrier Reef has always needed; a comprehensive and scholarly history of European exploration and involvement with the Great Barrier Reef.' Frank Talbot, Graduate School of the Environment, Macquarie University, Sydney
Review of the hardback: 'This book is comprehensive, scholarly and highly readable, and will be a key reference for the history, science and culture of the Great Barrier Reef for a long time to come.' David Williams, New Scientist
Review of the hardback: 'The book is clearly written and well organised ... a very valuable synthesis for reef managers and scientists as well as for undergraduates studying the history of science and conservation. It would be a useful addition to a school library for teachers and a-level students.' Geography
Review of the hardback: 'I enjoyed reading this book ... it is a voyage of discovery that weaves coral reefs intricately into world history. Every few pages, through their detailed research. James and Margarita Bowen produce new insights into the role that coral reefs, particularly those of the Great Barrier Reef have played throughout history. This is not a dry historical study. It is interesting and enjoyable and has just won the New South Wales premier's prize for Australian history. It should appeal to science and history buffs, and is a well-documented source book for students of the environment and history, particularly in the management of a World Heritage Area.' The Times Higher Education Supplement
Review of the hardback: '... a truly excellent book ... very reader friendly ... It is a must to be read by all who are concerned in its welfare ...'.
Review of the hardback: '... an excellent, easy to read, all-embracing, and truly interdisciplinary account of the world's greatest reef system. They cover so much more than the biological and environmental aspects of the reef in the book ... this is a fascinating story of the reef and its impacts on human attitudes ... this is the first work to provide a fully comprehensive history of the 'European' impact over the time of the two centuries from Cook to the present. This remarkable book provides an interesting and detailed account of human involvement in, and influences upon, one of the world's greatest natural phenomena.' International Journal of Environmental Studies
Review of the hardback: '... the first full history of the Reef ... The Bowens give a lively history of the exploring and mapping of the Reef ... scholarly, well-written ...'. Australian Studies
The book reflects competent scholarship and will be useful as supplemental reading for courses on conservation in the marine environment. Highly recommended. Choice
This richly detailed and meticulously researched work is w wonderful account of what is probably one of the most undervalued aspects of the GBR (Great Barrier Reef)-its scientific heritage. I greatly enjoyed this book and enthusiastically recommend it to anyone with an interest in the history of science, and particularly coral reef science, in Australia. Pacific Affairs, Simon Foale, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia