Sönke Johnsen is professor of biology at Duke University. He is the author of The Optics of Life: A Biologist’s Guide to Light in Nature and the coauthor of Visual Ecology (both Princeton). Marlin Peterson, who created original illustrations for this book, is an illustrator and muralist who teaches and illustrates in many styles and media. He also specializes in giant optical illusions such as his harvestmen mural below the Space Needle in Seattle, and his full portfolio can be found at marlinpeterson.com.

"This book is a joyous invocation of the experience of a marine biologist. . . . Johnsen's infectious storytelling engaged me from page one. This is simple reading pleasure for anyone who has felt that same seaside interest in the ocean that first captured Johnsen's attention in his childhood and wants to discover what goes on away from shore. Delightful."---Brian Clegg, Popular Science --- "I would recommend this book to novice and young marine biologists, especially those interested in studying pelagic organisms, because of the descriptive writing style and the insights into the real lives of marine biologists at sea."---Laura McMonagle, Marine Biologist --- "A wonderful account of the community of creatures that lives here and the community of scientists who dare to study them. It is an interesting, well-written account by a scientist who wants to share with us the strange world under the waves."---Dan R. Kunkle, Wildlife Activist --- "Into the Great Wide Ocean captures the wonder of the animals inhabiting the vast ocean. . . . The writing style is clear and inviting, and the illustrations are masterpieces." --- "Johnsen gives a wonderful insight into the life of a deep sea marine biologist , the weird and wonderful animals encountered in this mysterious world, the trials and tribulations, in a way that makes you feel you have been sat at a table chatting about his work over a pint or cup of tea."---Nick & Caroline Robertson-Brown, Scubaverse --- "This book is informative and thought provoking from both a scientific and a personal perspective and fundamentally a very good read. It will appeal to anyone with an interest in the sea or those keen to know how science gets done. . . . I would definitely want Johnsen in my lifeboat."---Peter J. Herring, Current Biology --- "A worthwhile contribution to ocean literature. The author successfully connects scientific research and public comprehension, encouraging awareness of the deep sea and its inhabitants." --- "Most of us don’t have any idea about what it’s like to be a scientist in the middle of the open ocean, and we are even more challenged to imagine what it’s like to spend a life entirely underwater. . . . Johnsen’s detailed personal experiences put us there for a little while. His intimate descriptions of pelagic organisms achieve his stated goal: 'Before we as scientists can ask people to preserve this important and fragile habitat, we need to show them that it’s there and the beauty of what lives in it.'"---Kelly Sutherland, American Scientist --- "A compelling work of oceanography that reveals the greatest unexplored areas on Earth. . . . The prose is intelligent and filled with wonder."---Chloe Clark, Foreword Reviews --- "A pleasing excursion into the deep." --- "Johnsen deftly, humorously, lovingly combines his childhood awe [of the ocean] and his many discoveries--both marine and human--delving into the deep blue seas. . . . Compelling tidbits appear on almost every page."---Terry Hong, Shelf Awareness --- "If you remember being a child and at some point thinking, 'I want to be a marine biologist when I grow up,' Sönke Johnsen’s Into the Great Wide Ocean is for you. . . . You’re bound to come away from this one with a host of cool new facts in your arsenal."---Cheyenne Macdonald, Engadget --- "Sönke Johnsen weaves his story of ocean discovery with fascinating explanations of the challenges that have shaped ocean animals into the often beautiful, sometimes hideous creatures we are feverishly working to learn from. This book will feed your curiosity, introduce you to the denizens of the deep and make you laugh. Dive in!"---Karen Osborn, Smithsonian Magazine