From tidal estuaries to tropical reefs, saltwater has been central to evolution; the amniotic fluid of life itself. Vestiges of our salty origins can be found in the physiological makeup of land dwellers today, and marine chemistry still defines the boundaries of existence for most aquatic animals. But even as we rely upon the sea's life-giving properties, we have failed to protect it.
Saltwater brings readers face to face with the secrets of the marine realm, revealing massive sperm whales, delicate dumbo octopuses, nightmarish viperfish, and even the ocean's own version of the northern lights: a shimmering bioluminescent display that illuminates the darkest fathoms.
It examines humanity's eternal connection with the oceans, from ancient fishing traditions to the devastating legacy of industrial whaling. And it shows how today, even as the ocean bears the scars of overfishing, pollution, and climate change, this damage may yet be reversed though cutting-edge science and strategic conservation.
Elegant, deeply researched, and ultimately galvanising, Saltwater is a paradigm-shifting look at how saltwater life shapes our world.
480 pages
9781786582973
Details
12 November 2026
480 pages
9781786582973
Imprint: Ithaka
Reviews
“'A glorious exploration of everything marine, Ward instils into the reader a profound feeling of awe for the weird and wonderful creatures found in our oceans'”Madeline Beekman, author of The Origin of Language
“Immense and intimate, panoramic and poetic. Essential reading.”James Bradley, author of Deep Water
“'With breadth and expertise, Ashley Ward guides us from the poles to the tropics, the shallows to the depths. Saltwater is an invitation to see the ocean as it truly is: a complex, living cosmos'”Jeffrey Marlowe, author of The Deep Frontier: Unlocking the Secrets of the Deep Sea
“A stunning journey through the world's oceans, celebrating the extraordinary qualities of saltwater”Ben Robinson, author of Coastline: An Exploration of Britain's Coastal Heritage