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The Jaws Of Death by Xavier Maniguet Adventures with Sharks by Jonathan Bird
The Jaws Of Death by Xavier Maniguet Adventures with Sharks by Jonathan Bird
Xavier Maniguet's The Jaws of Death is everything you've been persuaded sharks aren't - they'll bite through your leg, rip your head off and, after enough time to properly digest your soft bits, the shark will eventually be caught and cut open to reveal the remains of your dismembered limbs.
If this sounds gory, then you ought to read the book. It is a spectacularly unsettling read for the diving community and its collection of 'disturbing photographs' in the centre is enough to turn the strongest stomach inside-out.
We're so used to hearing how sharks have been massively misunderstood, particularly since Jaws. This book seeks to subvert such theories. Most of it is devoted to the shark's physiology; its ability to attack humans and '1001 uses of a shark'.
The directory of sharks at the back seems to be written with the sole purpose of reminding us just how dangerous these creatures are.
The book has been peer-reviewed by an eminent expert in the field and the contributors include people with titles such as Dr and Professor, so one would hope for scientific accuracy in Maniguet's work, but I'm not convinced. I've dived with numerous nurse sharks in my time and found them to be nothing but docile - Maniguet would have me believe that I was at a real risk of been bitten.
I also disagree with the assertion that the Galapagos shark is particularly dangerous to swimmers off Bermuda. Having lived and dived for many years on that island, I can say with certainty that this is not a fact. I'd never even heard of the Galapagos shark until I read the book.
The book may be readable but it reminded me of the '70s, when such sensationalism was the norm. Read it and tremble - just think, the arm that turns the pages could well be the one vomited up by the next shark brought into captivity!
If you want the caring, sharing and cuddly side of sharks, Jonathan Bird's coffee-table book Adventures with Sharks fits the bill. The author has been filming and photographing sharks for 20 years and must have an enormous collection by now.
Sensibly, he has turned his best pictures into a book. They are exceptional, pin-sharp and mostly taken with the shark coming head on and very close. After reading The Jaws of Death, I'm surprised Bird has any limbs left!
The shark info panels are just long enough to read without your attention fading. I was particularly interested to read about how sharks bite humans only by 'accident.' I remain unconvinced. I've seen the pictures!
While the photographs are of a sufficient quality to hold their own, the text isn't. It's 5000 words' worth stretched out to 50,000, written almost like a personal diary.
After 100 pages I was bored with reading about how: Bird's wife was going to a conference; he might join her; call some friends; book a boat and go diving in North Carolina. Too much useless detail for my liking.
Good as the pictures are, this book will probably end up in the bargain bin - you may want to wait until then.
Brendan O'Brien
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The Jaws Of Death by Xavier Maniguet (Collins, ISBN 0007156901). Softback, 320pp, £7.99
Adventures with Sharks by Jonathan Bird (Best Publishing, ISBN 1930536070). Hardback, 142pp, $19.95
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