Book Description

World-leading paleontologist John Long presents the complete, untold story of how sharks emerged as Earth's ultimate survivors.Sharks have been fighting for their lives for 500 million years and today are under dire threat. The longest-surviving vertebrate on Earth, sharks have outlasted multiple mass extinction events that destroyed most life on the planet. But how did they thrive for so long? John Long, who for decades has been on the cutting edge of shark research, weaves a thrilling story of sharks’ unparalleled reign. The Secret History of Sharks showcases the global search to discover sharks’ largely unknown evolution, led by Long and dozens of other scientists. They embark on digs to all seven continents, investigating layers of rock while using cutting-edge technology to reveal new fossils and clues to sharks’ singular story. As the tale unfolds, Long introduces an enormous range of astonishing organisms: a thirty-foot-long shark with a deadly saw blade of jagged teeth protruding from its lower jaws, a monster giant clams crusher, and bizarre sharks fossilized while in their mating ritual. The book also includes startling new facts about the mighty megalodon, with its sixty-six-foot-long body, massive jaws, and six-inch serrated teeth.With insights into the threats to sharks today, how they contribute to medical advances, and the lessons they can teach us about our own survival, The Secret History of Sharks is a riveting look at scientific discovery with ramifications far beyond the ocean.