This is a collection of essays about ocean animals, arranged from A-Z and including everything from abalone to zooplankton. Includes descriptions of the animals and often discussions of their importance in ocean ecology and how humanity has affected each, usually to the detriment of animals. However, what makes this book so delightful is the framing device, stories of human encounters with each, taken from writings as far back as the ancient Greeks and as recent as poetry from the 2020s. Scientists such as Charles Darwin and Rachel Carson, explorers like Matthew Perry, and seamen like Thomas Albro and Alexander Selkirk all get pieces of their stories retold. Recommended.