The Human, the Orchid, and the Octopus

Exploring and Conserving Our Natural World

By: Jacques Cousteau, Susan Schielfelbein

Narrated by: Stephen Hoye

Part adventure story, part manifesto, this is legendary ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau's passionate plea for sustaining life on earth.

Explorer, diving pioneer, filmmaker, inventor, and activist, Jacques Cousteau was blessed from his childhood with boundless curiosity about the natural world. As the leader of fascinating, often dangerous expeditions all over the planet, he discovered firsthand the complexity and beauty of life on earth and undersea - and watched the toll taken by human activity in the 20th century.

In this magnificent last book, available for the first time in the United States, Cousteau describes his deeply informed philosophy about protecting our world for future generations. Weaving gripping stories of his adventures throughout, he and coauthor Susan Schiefelbein address the risks we take with human health, the overfishing and sacking of the world's oceans, the hazards of nuclear proliferation, and the environmental responsibility of scientists, politicians, and people of faith.

Written over the last 10 years of his life with frequent collaborator Schiefelbein, who also introduces the text and provides an update on environmental developments in the decade since Cousteau's death, this prescient, clear-sighted book is a remarkable testament to the life and work of one of our greatest modern adventurers.

©2007 Jacques-Yves Cousteau and Susan Schiefelbein (P)2008 Tantor

Critic reviews

"[An] electrifying, many-faceted masterwork." (Booklist)
"Cousteau's reverence for life's miracles....shines through in this eloquent testimony on the importance of pursuing higher ideals, particularly the preservation of the oceans and the natural world for future generations." (Publishers Weekly)

I cried. I cried alot.

it was a pleasure listening to the story and adventures of the father of marine biology. how he tried to make the world better by satisfying his own curiosities. the struggles he faced with our society through war and greed. if only people would have cared more and listened to his warnings and pleas to protect our planet. I loved the chapter about how he saw our world 1000s of years from now when we have already learned the hard way. the peace he still hopes for. the possibility of living with nature and not against it.

A wonderful and illuminating book

We've all been very lucky that a man with a great spirit, passion and honesty has lived and told us his story and views in such a pleasant and intelligent way. It is very different from the imbecilic coverage of just about anything in the media so it requires a serious and sincere mindset to appreciate. The philosophical insights and indeed underpinnings of Cousteau's work are amply explained in the book - thank God for the lack of sound-bites and political correctness. A fascinating, moving and enjoyable story for a discriminating and sophisticated listener, and a life changing for some, I'm sure. A gem. If only Oprah operated on a higher intellectual plane, it would be so great if she recommended this book to her book club. It's a breath of fresh air and a wake up call. The narration is decent and its faults are minor - I think they do not really detract from the book for a serious minded listener. The tone and the intention of the book, and, of course, the man, are very inspiring to me.

fabulous book amazing man

had we heeded Cousteau 30 years ago we wouldnt be in the predicament we are in now. This book chronicals his expoilts and gives us a clear view of the truth of our actions on our environment. I always wondered why the death of this amazing man was hardly covered on the news. Now i know, he spoke the truth and it was inconvenient.

Not what I was expecting !!

In short if you want stories of life aboard Calapyso this is NOT the book for you! If you want a reflection of policital science during the life of our favorite explorer well then step right up !

Prepared yourself for a diatribe

Wow, this is not what I was expecting. Cousteau rails on scientists, religion, world leaders, common citizens, and more. There's also a lengthy section on the perils of nuclear energy that was provided some news to me but it was just too much.

As the inventor of SCUBA technology and, obviously, a lifetime diver, he saw the oceans deteriorate and whither in a matter of decades so I understand his passionate cry for the planet. I just found some of the science to be a bit lacking in places and too few moments of hope.

I also found the narrator's voice lacked variation but that may have been a function of the text. I made it through this one but just barely (I stepped it up to double speed to get through--THANK YOU iPOD for that ingenius feature).