• The Brilliant Abyss

  • Exploring the Majestic Hidden Life of the Deep Ocean, and the Looming Threat That Imperils It
  • By: Helen Scales
  • Narrated by: Helen Scales
  • Length: 8 hrs and 34 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (47 ratings)

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The Brilliant Abyss  By  cover art

The Brilliant Abyss

By: Helen Scales
Narrated by: Helen Scales
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Publisher's summary

A golden era of deep-sea discovery is underway as revolutionary studies rewrite the very notion of life on Earth and the rules of what is possible. In the process, the abyss is being revealed as perhaps the most amazing part of our planet, its topography even more varied and extreme than its landmass counterpart.

Teeming with unsuspected life, an extraordinary, interconnected ecosystem deep below the waves has a huge effect on our daily lives, influencing climate and weather systems, with the potential for much more—good or bad, depending on how it is exploited. Currently, the fantastic creatures that live in the deep—many of them incandescent in a world without light—and its formations capture and trap vast quantities of carbon that would otherwise poison our atmosphere, and novel bacteria as yet undiscovered hold the promise of potent new medicines. Yet the deep also holds huge mineral riches lusted after by nations and corporations; mining them could ultimately devastate the planet, compounded by the deepening impacts of ubiquitous pollutants and rampant overfishing.

Eloquently and passionately, the author of Spirals in Time and Eye of the Shoal brings to life the majesty and mystery of an alien realm that nonetheless sustains us, while urgently making clear the price we could pay if it is further disrupted.

©2021 Helen Scales (P)2021 Tantor

Featured Article: Dive Deep on Our Blue Planet This World Ocean Day


Earth’s oceans and the many ecosystems housed within them are foundational to all life, on sea and land alike. And yet, international waterways face greater threats than ever, imperiled by factors including climate change, pollution and plastic debris, offshore drilling, and destructive fishing practices. We’ve curated a collection of listens to inspire you to learn more and take action to recognize, restore, and protect the sea and all its inhabitants.

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Written by the author and you can hear her love for this so well, you love it too. Aside from the pure magic that is the ocean.

I love how wondrous it all sounds and how easy it was to digest the science.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Amazing facts about the deep

Climate agenda hokum aside, 95% of this book was amazing facts about the deep ocean.

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1 person found this helpful

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Illuminating the dark and mostly unknown

This book certainly brought to light for me so many unknown aspects, direct and indirect, of the deep seas.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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Interesting information

I found the information fascinating and enjoyed the author's/narrator's passion for the subject. Some of the stuff seemed a little personal at times, but overall, I enjoyed the audio.

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