Sunday, January 4, 2009

Chicken Soup: a quick read in support of the oceans

I just finished a delightful book I received over the holidays from my daughter: Chicken Soup for the Ocean Lover's Soul. Part of the famous series of "Chicken Soup" books with motivational stories and essays assembled by Jack Canfield and Mark Hansen, this volume was published in 2003 and includes ocean artist Wyland as a contributing editor, with pictures of many of his works included.

Using a wide range of contributors - from Dr. Bob Ballard and Dr. Sylvia Earle to the late Warren Iliff of the Aquarium of the Pacific and Wyland himself - the book covers topics including "Living in Harmony", "Courage and Adventure" and "Saving the Sea." While these books might be a bit syrupy for some, this volume does serve to remind us all of one very positive and uplifting thought: we are all connected to the sea; it is the ultimate mother of all life on this planet.

One quote by Jacques Cousteau used in the book, struck me as being very timely though it was probably said some years ago:
"For most of history, man has had to fight nature to survive; in this century he is beginning to realize that, in order to survive, he must protect it."


Chicken Soup for the Ocean Lover's Soul
- a quick read and time well spent.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I love Chicken Soup for the Soul. I recently read a great book by Stephanie Bennett Vogt. Her book Your Spacious Self is the "Chicken Soup for the Cluttered Soul."
If you like Chicken Soup for the soul as much as me, you'll enjoy this book for sure!