Sea of Glass: Searching for the Blaschkas' Fragile Legacy in an Ocean at Risk

A Sea of Glass is a book about the search for the living counterparts of the glass octopuses created by the father-son glassmaking team of Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka. It explores the surprising and unusual biology of these ancient animals and highlights the century of change in our ocean ecosystems.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 02 April 2019
Publisher: University of California Press

The author passionately advocates for the conservation of marine biodiversity in the following text:
Harvell's work channels the same devotion that inspired the Blaschkas. The Guardian praised her work, stating, "Harvell seems to channel the devotion that motivated the Blaschkas."

In 2016, her book, "A Sea of Glass," won the prestigious National Outdoor Book Award in the Environment Category. The journey began with a glass octopus, dusty, broken, and nearly forgotten, which caught Drew Harvell's eye. Crafted with intricate detail by the father-son glassmaking team of Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka, the octopus was part of a collection of remarkable marine creatures that had been stored away for decades in a storage unit. More than 150 years ago, the Blaschkas were captivated by marine invertebrates and used their artistic skills to create glass replicas that captured the essence of oceans untouched by climate change and human impacts. Inspired by the Blaschkas' remarkable replicas, Harvell embarked on a quest to find their living counterparts.

In "A Sea of Glass," she shares her incredible journey, taking readers deep beneath the ocean's surface to explore a rarely seen world. Through her writings, she reveals the surprising and unusual biology of some of the oldest animals on the tree of life. Along the way, the book provides a glimpse into a century of change in our ocean ecosystems and identifies which of the living creatures match the fragility of the Blaschkas' creations.

Drew Harvell and the Blaschka menagerie also feature in the documentary "Fragile Legacy," which received the Best Short Film award at the 2015 Blue Ocean Film Festival & Conservation Summit. The documentary provides further insight into the Blaschkas' work and the importance of marine biodiversity conservation.

In conclusion, Drew Harvell's book "A Sea of Glass" is a captivating testament to the power of art and science in preserving our natural world. Through her journey and advocacy, she inspires us to appreciate the delicate balance of marine ecosystems and to take action to protect them for generations to come.

Weight: 510g
Dimension: 220 x 177 x 13 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520303577