I love jellyfish. I enjoy watching them when I swim. They are fascinating. The moon jellies can be so perfectly symmetrical, while also being almost invisible. I love the lacing around the edges. The "fried egg" jellies are beautiful in their own way as well. Often looking more messy, but still amazing.
In Spineless, Berwald combines personal memoir as she learns about jellies, and follows them around the world, with science of the jellies, including how they reproduce, how their neurological systems work, and what environmental impact they have.
Jellyfish are often feared. People worry about being stung. And, as Berwald discusses, there are jellies whose sting can kill. But most don't. They may provide discomfort or pain. Some you can't feel at all. She discusses what purpose the stings have, and how the venom and singing mechanism can be used in medical applications.
Berwald travels to the East China Sea in search of giant jellies. Her stories of the people she meets are almost as intriguing as the jellyfish she sees. Thorough out the book, she adds details about herself and other people that make it more than a super dry scientific narrative. She science she shares is contextualized in practical applications.
I recommend this book. It is an easy read, and good for anyone who loves the ocean and the jellies who live there.
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