The Gulf Stream

Tiny Plankton, Giant Bluefin, and the Amazing Story of the Powerful River in the Atlantic

By Stan Ulanski

228 pp., 6.125 x 9.25, 24 illus., 4 maps, bibl., index

  • Paperback ISBN: 978-0-8078-7157-7
    Published: September 2010
  • Large Print ISBN: 978-0-8078-8709-7
    Published: June 2010
  • E-book EPUB ISBN: 978-0-8078-8710-3
    Published: September 2008
  • E-book PDF ISBN: 979-8-8908-8020-8
    Published: September 2008

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Coursing through the Atlantic Ocean is a powerful current with a force 300 times that of the mighty Amazon. Ulanski explores the fascinating science and history of this sea highway known as the Gulf Stream, a watery wilderness that stretches from the Caribbean to the North Atlantic. Spanning both distance and time, Ulanski's investigation reveals how the Gulf Stream affects and is affected by every living thing that encounters it--from tiny planktonic organisms to giant bluefin tuna, from ancient mariners to big-game anglers. He examines the scientific discovery of ocean circulation, the role of ocean currents in the settlement of the New World, and the biological life teeming in the stream.

About the Author

Stan Ulanski is professor of geology and environmental science at James Madison University.
For more information about Stan Ulanski, visit the Author Page.

Reviews

"Ulanski is a scientist but doesn't write like one. His book is jam-packed with facts, but they are so gracefully integrated into the text that it's only when you come up for air that you realize you've been learning all along."--The Wall Street Journal

"Ulanski takes readers on a dizzying trip within, afloat and around the Gulf Stream. . . . This multifaceted treatment of 'the blue god' offers something for almost every kind of ocean lover."--Publishers Weekly

"The book's strength is its versatility. It can be used in an introductory oceanography or environmental science class, and is also geared to nature and outdoor enthusiasts with its section on marine life and fishing. History buffs will appreciate the power of the Gulf Stream in setting the stage for settlement in the Americas."--ForeWord Magazine

"Provides the layperson a synopsis of the physical origin, general biology, and rich exploration history of the Gulf Stream. . . . A concise, engaging blend of science and history."--Choice

"Will fascinate a wide variety of readers. . . . Ulanski does an inspired job carrying centuries of information to the modern reader."--The Virginian Pilot

"Ulanski makes clear the connections between the physical world and human activity through history."--McCormick Messenger