The Blue Machine: How the Ocean Works

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars | 432 ratings

Price: 17.72

Last update: 09-10-2024


About this item

A Financial Times Best Science Book of 2023

A scientist’s exploration of the "ocean engine"—the physics behind the ocean’s systems—and why it matters.

All of Earth’s oceans, from the equator to the poles, are a single engine powered by sunlight, driving huge flows of energy, water, life, and raw materials. In The Blue Machine, physicist and oceanographer Helen Czerski illustrates the mechanisms behind this defining feature of our planet, voyaging from the depths of the ocean floor to tropical coral reefs, estuaries that feed into shallow coastal seas, and Arctic ice floes.

Through stories of history, culture, and animals, she explains how water temperature, salinity, gravity, and the movement of Earth’s tectonic plates all interact in a complex dance, supporting life at the smallest scale—plankton—and the largest—giant sea turtles, whales, humankind. From the ancient Polynesians who navigated the Pacific by reading the waves, to permanent residents of the deep such as the Greenland shark that can live for hundreds of years, she introduces the messengers, passengers, and voyagers that rely on interlinked systems of vast currents, invisible ocean walls, and underwater waterfalls.

Most important, however, Czerski reveals that while the ocean engine has sustained us for thousands of years, today it is faced with urgent threats. By understanding how the ocean works, and its essential role in our global system, we can learn how to protect our blue machine. Timely, elegant, and passionately argued, The Blue Machine presents a fresh perspective on what it means to be a citizen of an ocean planet.


Top reviews from the United States

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Easy reading on Subject.
Reviewed in the United States on August 16, 2024
Good book for the general public who want to know about the lasted knowledge on the oceans.
AVL viewer
5.0 out of 5 stars fascinating
Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2024
I checked this out of the library and, when I couldn't renew it because of another's hold, bought the book. It is informative--I sometimes had to read a paragraph twice--well written, and completely fascinating. If you're an ocean lover (or even an earth lover), The Blue Machine will give you an entirely new "macro" perspective. One of the best nonfiction book I've read in a while.
Leonardo Zevallos
4.0 out of 5 stars Most of our planet still remains hidden
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2024
I want to thank NetGalley and the author for giving me the opportunity to review an ARC of this book.

I found the book highly educational. It describes the highly complex and expansive nature of water and oceans and their impact on our planet and all life. It also provides a view into how vast the oceans are and how relatively much we still need to explore. Plus it shows the impact humans have wittingly and unwittingly had on the vast yet limited water systems of this planet.

As interesting and enlightening as I found the book, I do feel that at times I found it a little harder than I would have liked to follow the flow of topics. At times, the author did also diverge into deep detail that perhaps lengthen the book a little.

Still overall I found the book very interesting, informative and easy to read stylistically. Recommended.
J. Nieling
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book.
Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2024
I enjoying the read and have already shared parts of it.
Spencer
5.0 out of 5 stars Got this for my wife
Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2024
My wife absolutely loves this. I got it after listening to the author on NPR and finding her style to be very interesting.
Pooboo2000
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic and informative book
Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2024
Gave it to my son as as a holiday gift and he absolutely loves it!
William L. Driscoll
5.0 out of 5 stars A long but worthwhile read
Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2024
It’s amazing how little I know/knew about the ocean yet how important it is to earth’s climate. Well written with anecdotes interspersed to lighten up the science and detail. Author keeps her opinions largely out until last couple of chapters. Highly recommended.
MC Hallee
3.0 out of 5 stars very light on science
Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2024
I was disappointed that this book is seemingly written for a high school level audience. The narrative is comprised mainly of anecdotal type short stories meant to illustrate something about the ocean, but many of the stories are only loosely related to the subject matter, or the stories are a description of the author's experiences. I lost interest half-way through the book.

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