Southern Africa's coast is the meeting place of two ocean giants - the Benguela current of the Atlantic Ocean and the Agulhas of the Indian Ocean. They clash fiercely at the continent's southern tip, dividing the region into two contrasting marine ecosystems that rank among the richest, most biologically diverse and oceanographically complex on the planet. The waters of the west coast are fed by the Benguela, a cold current that accounts for the enormous volume of marine life found here, while those of the east coast - warmed by the Agulhas current - are noted for their huge variety of life forms. Currents of Contrast - Life in Southern Africa's Two Oceans first introduces the realm of the Benguela, where you will encounter the ocean's ultimate predator, the great white shark. Here, the nutrient-rich waters wash over rocky reefs, and vast kelp forests thrive, providing food for diverse animals and plants, among them Cape clawless otters. In the realm of the Agulhas, you can explore the Knysna estuary and its most charismatic inhabitant, the Knysna seahorse. Follow the sardine run on the east coast and witness the suite of predators that feasts on this silver cornucopia.

At once feared and revered, sharks have captivated people since our earliest human encounters. Children and adults alike stand awed before aquarium shark tanks, fascinated by the giant teeth and unnerving eyes. And no swim in the ocean is undertaken without a slight shiver of anxiety about the very real - and very cinematic - dangers of shark bites. But our interactions with sharks are not entirely one-sided: the threats we pose to sharks through fisheries, organized hunts, and gill nets on coastlines are more deadly and far-reaching than any bite. A contributing photographer to National Geographic, Thomas P. Peschak is best known for his unusual photographs of sharks - his iconic image of a great white shark following a researcher in a small yellow kayak is one of the most recognizable shark photographs in the world. The other images gathered here are no less riveting, bringing us as close as possible to sharks in the wild. Alongside the photographs, Sharks and People tells the compelling story of the natural history of sharks. Sharks have roamed the oceans for more than four hundred million years, and in this time they have never stopped adapting to the ever-changing world-their unique cartilage skeletons and array of super-senses mark them as one of the most evolved groups of animals. Scientists have recently discovered that sharks play an important role in balancing the ocean, including maintaining the health of coral reefs. Yet, tens of millions of sharks are killed every year just to fill the demand for shark fin soup alone. Today more than sixty species of sharks, including hammerhead, mako, and oceanic white-tip sharks, are listed as vulnerable or in danger of extinction. The need to understand the significant part sharks play in the oceanic ecosystem has never been so urgent, and Peschak's photographs bear witness to the thrilling strength and unique attraction of sharks. They are certain to enthrall and inspire. In Sharks and People acclaimed wildlife photographer Thomas Peschak presents stunning photographs that capture the relationship between people and sharks around the globe.

One of Nat Geo's most popular nature photographers shares 200 breathtaking images - and the stories behind them - from a wide swath of wild ocean locales around the globe. From whales plying the waters of Baja California to manta ray ballets in the Maldives to the surprisingly abundant desert shores of Arabia, National Geographic fan favorite Thomas Peschak has spent a lifetime documenting the beauty and fragility of underwater life and coastal landscapes. This awe-inspiring book of photography charts his transformation from studious marine biologist to full-time conservation advocate, armed with little more than a snorkel mask and a camera. In these vivid pages, Peschak photographs sharks in a feeding frenzy, tracks crabs the size of jack rabbits, and dodges saltwater crocs, revealing the splendor of pristine seas as well as the dark side of pollution, overfishing, and climate change. Filled with magnificent images from Galapagos, Africa, the Seychelles, and more, this illuminating collection offers an impassioned and compelling case for change. Complete your collection of National Geographic books for ocean explorers with 100 Dives of a Lifetime and Secrets of the Whales by world-renowned photographer Brian Skerry.