Shark Life, Book Review

Shark Life is intended for young adult readers but I would recommend it for anyone looking for a quick captivating introduction to sharks. Written by Peter Benchley, the bestselling author of JAWS, Benchley shares his 40 years of diving experience with readers alternating between facts and remarkable first hand encounters with a variety of sharks. It is well written and as with all good writing has some unexpected surprises thrown in for good measure.

Benchley is an enchanting writer and knows how to capture the reader’s attention “...I opened my eyes and saw, less than an arm’s length away, a shark the size of a school bus about to assault our stingray bait. It was a tiger shark.... (p. 28) and “...Not only are makos the fastest sharks in the sea, and armed with a mouthful of scraggly knives, they also have a reputation for crankiness....” (p. 95). Until reading Shark Life, I’ve never thought of cranky sharks, but this is one of Benchley’s descriptions that have become ingrained in my memory. Benchley’s descriptions make the sharks come alive and you feel like you are right there with him. The action packed adventures are sure to keep readers entertained and amused.

Shark Life also had a few surprises, one being the inclusion of safety. Benchley discusses how to avoid a shark attack but more surprisingly what to do if you get caught in an undertow or a rip tide. He also details actions that will prevent you from drowning. I was surprised at the inclusion of these safety tips in a book titled Shark Life but found them surprisingly interesting and useful. I also think they would help the reader feel more confident in water.

I was also surprised that Benchley discussed other creatures of the sea including moray eels, barracudas and rays. I wasn’t expecting this either in Shark Life but found that his personal tales with these creatures grabbed my attention. One of the most remarkable stories in the book involved the giant manta ray in which he and each member of his group each took a ride on the magnificent creature literally flying through the ocean. I can’t even begin to imagine! Also fascinating for me was the section on giant squid. I didn’t realize how little I knew about giant squid until reading Shark Life. “Imagine a squid half the length of a football field...a squid that, standing on end, would reach fifteen stories into the air...a squid longer than three locomotives. a squid...well, you get the idea.” (p. 160). I had no idea that squid were that big and even more fascinating is that no one has ever seen a giant squid alive because they live so deep! The surprisingly inclusion of other extraordinary sea creatures, especially the giant squid was one of the highlights of the book for me.

The thing that I found most perplexing about Shark Life is Benchley’s inclusion and discussion of shark conservation in Shark Life. Shark populations are threatened and in many cases endangered primarily because of long line fishing and shark finning. Benchley discusses these issues and states “They (sharks) are our equals as tenants of this fragile planet.” (p. 189). While I would agree whole heartedly with this statement and Benchley’s position on shark conservation, I found it odd coming from Benchley, who perhaps single handedly has done more to produce fear in us through JAWS than perhaps any other person alive. While Benchley addresses his fascination with sharks in Shark Life, he didn’t address his contribution to inspiring fear of sharks which has helped to justify the killing of sharks on the basis that they are to be feared and it’s necessary to kill them to keep our waters safe. I felt this exclusion was irresponsible, since he mentions JAWS several times throughout the book. A month after reading the book, this still remains a large unresolved issue for me and is my one complaint about the book. Unfortunately Benchley died in 2006; otherwise, I would contact him about this. To date, I have not been able to find any interviews addressing this, but will keep looking.

In conclusion, I would highly recommend Shark Life. It’s entertaining but at the same time educational and far more interesting than a book of shark facts. It’s suitable for both young adults and adults. It’s a perfect book for someone who doesn’t like to read because Benchley’s captivating writing style makes you feel that you are right there with him as he faces sharks and other sea creatures, all from the safety of your arm chair or if you are feeling brave go shark diving.