Life on the Rocks

Building a Future for Coral Reefs

By: Juli Berwald

Narrated by: Juli Berwald

Length: 10 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

FINALIST FOR THE L.A. TIMES BOOK PRIZE

NAMED A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR BY THE NEW YORKER AND BOOKLIST

The story of the urgent fight to save coral reefs, and why it matters to us all

Coral reefs are a microcosm of our planet: extraordinarily diverse, deeply interconnected, and full of wonders. When they’re thriving, these fairy gardens hidden beneath the ocean’s surface burst with color and life. They sustain bountiful ecosystems and protect vulnerable coasts. Corals themselves are evolutionary marvels that build elaborate limestone formations from their collective skeletons, broker symbiotic relationships with algae, and manufacture their own fluorescent sunblock. But corals across the planet are in the middle of an unprecedented die-off, beset by warming oceans, pollution, damage by humans, and a devastating pandemic.

Juli Berwald fell in love with coral reefs as a marine biology student, entranced by their beauty and complexity. Alarmed by their peril, she traveled the world to discover how to prevent their loss. She met scientists and activists operating in emergency mode, doing everything they can think of to prevent coral reefs from disappearing forever. She was so amazed by the ingenuity of these last-ditch efforts that she joined in rescue missions, unexpected partnerships, and risky experiments, and helped rebuild reefs with rebar and zip ties.

Life on the Rocks is an inspiring, lucid, meditative ode to the reefs and the undaunted scientists working to save them against almost impossible odds. As she also attempts to help her daughter in her struggle with mental illness, Berwald explores what it means to keep fighting a battle whose outcome is uncertain. She contemplates the inevitable grief of climate change and the beauty of small victories.

©2022 Juli Berwald (P)2022 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“A blast to read, full of fascinating stories, facts, and humor, and is an inspiring portrait of an underwater world that is integral to our global ecology.”—Shondaland

“The journalist and scientist’s deep dive into these underwater ecosystems reveals their mesmerizing complexity as well as the perils they face today.”—New York Times

“A globe-trotting adventure to fight for the future of coral reefs.”—Science

Good read about corals

The book gave good details about the problems facing corals today also the book talked about climate change. However, i felt the book was long and little boring at times while listening. I strongly recommend listening to the book.

Get the print version

We all have strengths and I appreciate the way Juli writes in a clear and concise way for the non scientific mind to understand. However, she is not the easiest to listen to. Some people are meant to write, some to perform. Rarely do you get both.

The book itself is VERY well researched, informative and up to date. The timeline is a little jumpy and the parts about her family life/ daughter seem unnecessary but I understand why she wants the information out there.... And yes, she does manage to tie it all in towards the end.

Well worth the read although I couldn't listen to the audio version. But I liked it enough to buy two copies lol.

A rare science book that teaches and touches

Berwald's beautiful writing captures the existential plight of coral with the inquisitive mind of a scientist and the loving heart of a mother. She weaves together the mysterious resilience of these clever creatures with the challenges of parenting a child struggling with mental health challenges.
I was thoroughly engrossed from Juli's opening description of her love affair with coral reefs all the way to the end which portrays optimistic and ambitious multi- sector global coral restoration initiative.
It's a rare science book that teaches and touches. I learned so much about the world, climate change, other cultures, marine research, OCD, and of course coral. I also teared up multiple times as she described the hope and heartbreak she felt for her beloved daughter and the world's coral reefs.
Prior to this book I hadn't fully grasped how essential the survival of coral is to the survival of human life on this planet.... and how tenuous both are.
I think this is required reading for all who care about life on Earth
I highly recommend!

A lot of family fluff

Would be a nicer book if the focus kept towards coral. Basically it is now like listening to two books in one