A review by textpublishing
Below the Edge of Darkness by Edith Widder
The following reviews have been shared by Text Publishing - publisher of Below the Edge of Darkness
‘Edith Widder’s subject is light itself—the manufacture of light by strange and eerie denizens of the deep sea—and her scintillating style is worthy of it…A book of marvels, marvellously written.’
Richard Dawkins
‘Edie’s story is one of hardscrabble optimism, two-fisted exploration and groundbreaking research. As I’ve said many times, I’d have wrapped my submersible, the Deepsea Challenger, in bacon if it would have lured the elusive giant squid from the depths. In Below the Edge of Darkness, Edie tells you how she did it.’
James Cameron
‘My experience of exploring the deep ocean and its alien life with Edie Widder was fabulous. She enthralls us with many such stories in her book. I recommend it.’
Ray Dalio
‘Personal and page-turning, adventurous and awe-inspiring, Below the Edge of Darkness sparkles with the thrill of exploration and glows with an urgent plea for the future of our precious seas. Comparisons to Jacques Cousteau spring to mind, as Edith Widder shares the profound journey of her life—one as unique and important as the unexplored realms of our very own planet.’
Juli Berwald, author of Spineless: The Science of Jellyfish and the Art of Growing a Backbone
‘Luminous—the topic, the heroic journey, and the author herself. Dive in with Edith Widder, trail-blazing scientist and explorer, as she reveals the galaxy of light and life in the universe below the surface of the sea, out-shining sceptical male colleagues with dignity, grace and a robust sense of humour.’
Sylvia Earle, oceanographer, founder of Mission Blue and National Geographic Society Explorer in Residence
'Widder illuminates life in the dark depths of the ocean in her fascinating debut…Informs and electrifies in equal measure.'
Publishers Weekly
'Captivating…Widder's enthusiastic, joyful memoir amply describes the “wonder and exhilaration of discovery”. Inspiring for science-loving readers and environmentalists young and old.'
Kirkus
'A superbly captivating writer, Widder fluently elucidates complex scientific inquiries and findings…She also renders the ludicrous, the terrifying, and the enthralling with equal vim and vigor…Widder dazzles readers with dramatic tales of expeditions…passionately and expertly arguing that it is urgently important for us to understand the oceans, which are severely imperiled and essential to our survival.'
Booklist (starred review)
‘Widder’s passion is so contagious…Her enthusiasm is matched by her sense of humor…Readers of Below the Edge of Darkness will become staunch champions of the spectacular bioluminescent world that thrives in the ocean’s depths.’
BookPage
‘This book illustrates the careful, curious, years-long quest of a scientist in love with her work. Widder peppers her text with witty asides as footnotes that invite readers into her passion. Highly recommended.’
Library Journal
‘Stylish, eloquent…A unique view of the denizens of the deep.’
Guardian
‘Enthralling...The science throughout the book is fascinating as Widder repeatedly revolutionizes her field, but there is much more than science here. Widder is also an explorer, an inventor and a captivating storyteller whose life has been uncommonly adventurous, both on land and at sea.’
StarTribune
‘A thrilling adventure story as well as a scientific revelation, Below the Edge of Darkness reckons with the complicated and sometimes dangerous realities of exploration. Widder shows us how when we push our boundaries and expand our worlds, discovery and wonder follow.’
Book Riot
‘This autobiography is an adventure story as well as a scientific one, as Widder navigates tense equipment malfunctions while exploring questions about our largest ecosystem, one that is increasingly threatened.’
Gazette
‘Gripping…A thrilling blend of hard science and high adventure…Often the prose glints.’
New York Times
‘Edith Widder’s subject is light itself—the manufacture of light by strange and eerie denizens of the deep sea—and her scintillating style is worthy of it…A book of marvels, marvellously written.’
Richard Dawkins
‘Edie’s story is one of hardscrabble optimism, two-fisted exploration and groundbreaking research. As I’ve said many times, I’d have wrapped my submersible, the Deepsea Challenger, in bacon if it would have lured the elusive giant squid from the depths. In Below the Edge of Darkness, Edie tells you how she did it.’
James Cameron
‘My experience of exploring the deep ocean and its alien life with Edie Widder was fabulous. She enthralls us with many such stories in her book. I recommend it.’
Ray Dalio
‘Personal and page-turning, adventurous and awe-inspiring, Below the Edge of Darkness sparkles with the thrill of exploration and glows with an urgent plea for the future of our precious seas. Comparisons to Jacques Cousteau spring to mind, as Edith Widder shares the profound journey of her life—one as unique and important as the unexplored realms of our very own planet.’
Juli Berwald, author of Spineless: The Science of Jellyfish and the Art of Growing a Backbone
‘Luminous—the topic, the heroic journey, and the author herself. Dive in with Edith Widder, trail-blazing scientist and explorer, as she reveals the galaxy of light and life in the universe below the surface of the sea, out-shining sceptical male colleagues with dignity, grace and a robust sense of humour.’
Sylvia Earle, oceanographer, founder of Mission Blue and National Geographic Society Explorer in Residence
'Widder illuminates life in the dark depths of the ocean in her fascinating debut…Informs and electrifies in equal measure.'
Publishers Weekly
'Captivating…Widder's enthusiastic, joyful memoir amply describes the “wonder and exhilaration of discovery”. Inspiring for science-loving readers and environmentalists young and old.'
Kirkus
'A superbly captivating writer, Widder fluently elucidates complex scientific inquiries and findings…She also renders the ludicrous, the terrifying, and the enthralling with equal vim and vigor…Widder dazzles readers with dramatic tales of expeditions…passionately and expertly arguing that it is urgently important for us to understand the oceans, which are severely imperiled and essential to our survival.'
Booklist (starred review)
‘Widder’s passion is so contagious…Her enthusiasm is matched by her sense of humor…Readers of Below the Edge of Darkness will become staunch champions of the spectacular bioluminescent world that thrives in the ocean’s depths.’
BookPage
‘This book illustrates the careful, curious, years-long quest of a scientist in love with her work. Widder peppers her text with witty asides as footnotes that invite readers into her passion. Highly recommended.’
Library Journal
‘Stylish, eloquent…A unique view of the denizens of the deep.’
Guardian
‘Enthralling...The science throughout the book is fascinating as Widder repeatedly revolutionizes her field, but there is much more than science here. Widder is also an explorer, an inventor and a captivating storyteller whose life has been uncommonly adventurous, both on land and at sea.’
StarTribune
‘A thrilling adventure story as well as a scientific revelation, Below the Edge of Darkness reckons with the complicated and sometimes dangerous realities of exploration. Widder shows us how when we push our boundaries and expand our worlds, discovery and wonder follow.’
Book Riot
‘This autobiography is an adventure story as well as a scientific one, as Widder navigates tense equipment malfunctions while exploring questions about our largest ecosystem, one that is increasingly threatened.’
Gazette
‘Gripping…A thrilling blend of hard science and high adventure…Often the prose glints.’
New York Times