Interesting. Sad. Maddening. Hopeful.

I had not expected so much politics. I didn't realise the Cuban reefs and US politics are so connected. But now it makes sense.

Sneaking (essential) prohibited items into Cuba and the description of Cuban hell gave me a chuckle 😆

A very deeply researched book written with great insight, enthusiasm and respect.
As someone who is very fascinated by reefs, I really enjoyed this book.

I liked this book, it shows aspects of Cuba that are not well advertised, and the dynamics of scientific collaboration. It shows how the researchs about the oceans are important, with example cases like the disappearing of Diademas and their conection to fragile coral reefs, the deepwater horizon catastrophe and many others. All of this reinforce how the oceans are important in a global escale, and the little that is done to save them and save ourselves. The narrative style is really easy to understand for someone that is not a native english reader (like myself). I recommend this book for people that like to see aspects of academic research that are not seen in papers, and how the diplomatic relationships between countries (and cultural differences) influence it.

"Thank You Negalley and the publisher for this eARC"

In my case he's preaching to the choir, but I learned a lot anyway. Conservation is needed and there are various NGOs that are doing their best to educate and motivate legislators and grass roots citizens to cease adding to the poisons sluicing their way down streams and rivers into the large bodies of water. It's more than the bleaching of coral off Australia and in the Mediterranean, it's the absolute dearth of coral off the coasts of Florida and Cuba. Cuba held off adding to the problem for a time, but the absolute need to feed the population under embargo came first. This is mostly a very readable book filled with Very Important People like Jacques-Yves Cousteau and his sons as well as Ballard and others well-known in underwater exploration. I absolutely loved it!
I requested and received an EARC from BookdGoSocial via NetGalley. Thank you!

"More than 70 percent of our planet is wrapped in a living saltwater universe, a place that continues to awe and surprise us… and yet a place that inexplicably remains mostly unexplored."

This book is a part history, part science, an ode to a corner of that universe, the beautiful reefs of Cuba. It is a scathing retelling of the lack of respect we have for nature, but tentative hope that we can turn things around. It would have been better with pictures! There are none. With the beautiful cover, I had expect some, so that was a disappointment. But it was super informative, and I really enjoyed it.

Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this eARC in exchange for my honest review on the book!

This is a very well documented text. There are no pictures. It is a dense book and perfect for research or someone serious about learning everything about the reefs of Cuba.

Half the world's coral reefs have disappeared since 1970, devastating the global marine ecology. But thanks to an unusual set of circumstances, Cuba's coral reefs remain remarkably healthy, offering hope for the future. This engaging, easy-to-read book from an eminent marine scientist is part science, part history, and entirely fascinating.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.