Written by the highly-respected geoscientist Wolf H. Berger, the book presents a suite of 15 self-contained essays on a wide range of fundamental topics in oceanography. Two of the chapters (chapters 9 and 11) are co-authored with Elizabeth N. Shor. The clear, concise and readable style renders the book one that may be enjoyed by all who have an interest in the sea, from seasoned geologists and ecologists to those with no background in the Earth sciences. The 185 figures interspersed throughout the book complement the central messages woven throughout the text of each essay. Berger emphasizes in the Introduction to the book (p. 3) that ‘the aim is not to replace a proper textbook’, but rather ‘to deepen understanding and appreciation (of the basics of oceanography), as in a guided tour of selected exhibits’. To this end, the presented essays emphasize discoveries and concepts pertaining to descriptive geological and biological oceanography, with topics ranging from our fascination with and exploitation of whales, to the complexities of understanding global warming and climate change. By Berger's own admission, there is very much an emphasis on developments and discoveries at his own scientific home, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, which he defends as the largest and oldest oceanographic institute (in the USA), where trends in research run parallel to those at oceanographic institutes throughout the world. Throughout the volume, Berger drives home his strong beliefs concerning the importance of educating ourselves about the consequences of human impact on the environment, so this can be mitigated where possible. In the volume's Epilogue (p. 475), he leaves us with the sobering thought that ‘the ability of the scientific community to predict the consequences of overuse of resources and of global warming is quite limited’ and that the ‘potential beneficiaries (of decisions we make now) are not yet born’. His thought-provoking closing analogy, aimed at emphasizing the importance of public education in the Earth sciences, drives home this point with the following quote (p. 475): ‘A situation where decisions have to be made in the fog, without a clear view of what is ahead, is not without precedent to officers at sea, on the bridge. We might learn much from their behavior. They do not assume that the fog holds no dangers. On the contrary, they assume it is not safe to proceed without relevant information on what lies ahead’.