Ocean Outbreak

"Harvell vividly recounts her work at the front line, studying die-offs such as the past decade’s catastrophic starfish crash. . . . a succinct summation of two decades of research."

— Nature

"A sobering account of what is happening to our seas. . . .This book is a must-read for all who care about the future of our oceans."

— Times Higher Education

"...a sobering account of what it happening to our seas. . . .This book is a must-read for all who care about the future of our oceans."

— Times Higher Education

“The book is written in a way that science-interested members of the public, and policymakers, will find useful—but students and researchers in marine science, yearning to understand more about marine disease outbreaks, will gain just as much. Harvell beautifully articulates the urgent need for scientists and non-scientists alike to do more to understand and protect the ocean.”

— Oceanography

"Harvell skillfully navigates through various outbreaks, breaking down what’s happening as well as root causes. And she provides ample hope: oftentimes, by addressing human health issues, we can also help marine creatures."

— Cool Green Science/The Nature Conservancy

"An engaging, eye-opening report on the diseases affecting the health of the ocean . . . Harvell writes from a scientist’s perspective, yet her style is down to earth and her prose is accessible. As such, she achieves her essential objective of making the public “more aware of the seriousness of the threats that ocean pathogens pose to our food supplies, economies, livelihoods, and health.” 

— Foreword Reviews

" ,,,an engaging, eye-opening report on the diseases affecting the health of the ocean...Harvell writes from a scientist’s perspective, yet her style is down to earth and her prose is accessible. As such, she achieves her essential objective of making the public “more aware of the seriousness of the threats that ocean pathogens pose to our food supplies, economies, livelihoods, and health.” 

— Foreword Reviews

"This well-written narrative can benefit a wide range of audiences. It provides insights not only into marine diseases but also into the constraints and practices of scientists responding to environmental threats."

— CHOICE

"This book is written with the intent to encourage development of policies to prevent and limit the spread of future outbreaks by not only educating policymakers, but engaging a broader audience. Harvell makes a plea for action, citing the need for surveillance of farmed species like salmon, shrimp, oysters, and abalone, where disease outbreaks also pose threats for wild populations."

— Fisheries

"Harvell is a skilled science writer and covers the topics with sufficient depth to keep disease aficionados on their toes, marveling at the complexity of diseases in the ocean. . . .The narrative is beautifully written and designed to even be consumed by people who know nothing about infectious [marine] diseases or, worse yet, might fear words like “microbe” or “pathogen” the way a 6th grade math phobe would look at his/her first quadratic equation."

— SeaDoc Society Blog

"We’ve all heard the oceans are sick, but this book helps explain why through recent histories of four iconic marine animals”

— Society of Environmental Journalists Blog

"Harvell is a writer with a style that is as captivating as it is informative."

— Well-Read Naturalist

"[Harvell] is a writer with a style that is as captivating as it is informative."

— The Well-Read Naturalist

"This book is written with the intent to encourage development of policies to prevent and limit the spread of future outbreaks by not only educating policymakers, but engaging a broader audience."

— Fisheries

"This personal account makes for a lively read, filled with both humorous and harrowing stories from field research. . . . well written and appropriate for a range of readers interested in how global change affects ocean ecosystems and the interconnectedness of ocean organisms."

— Quarterly Review of Biology