The ocean's bottom is at least as interesting as the moon's backside,"" according to Athelstan Spilhaus, inventor of the...

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MEN IN THE SEA

The ocean's bottom is at least as interesting as the moon's backside,"" according to Athelstan Spilhaus, inventor of the bathythormograph, director of Philadelphia's Franklin Institute, and, with many other inventions and titled positions to his credit, representative of the multitalented personalities in this young science. Oceanographers (""essentially sailors who use big words""--Roger Revelle) have usually entered their profession from others, such as geology, ichthyology, medicine; these revealing career logs reflect the wholehearted and goodhumored enthusiasm of the profession as known by nine men and a sub--the Alvin, indispensable in the recovery of the H-bomb lost last year off the coast of Spain. Whether mapping the topography of the ocean floor, charting the paths of ocean currents, or looking for (and finding evidence of) legendary sea monsters, Briggs makes this scientific voyage fathomable and informative, frequently quoting characterizing letters or exchanges of conversation; nice photos, too.

Pub Date: May 1, 1968

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 1968

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