So Excellent a Fishe: A Natural History of Sea Turtles

No Single Individual did more to promote sea turtle research and conservation than Archie Carr (1909-1987). So entwined did he become with these creatures and the fight against their overexploitation and loss of habitat that the largest wildlife refuge for loggerhead turtles in the world was named in his honor, and World Sea Turtle Day is celebrated internationally on his birthday, June 16.

Carr's work with sea turtles began in the 1940s, a time when much was unknown about these fascinating creatures. His many publications written for general readers, including numerous articles for National Geographic and his 1956 classic, The Windward Road, brought widespread attention to the plight of these animals.

So Excellent a Fishe, first published in 1967, combined everything the careful researcher had learned in more than two decades of field work. This groundbreaking book answered many then-unresolved questions about sea turtle behavior, including those about their remarkable migrations. In large part because of Carr's endearing narrative style, it remains a beloved and often-consulted volume in the field. Karen A. Bjorndal's foreword reminds us of the continued importance of this work, of Carr's research, and of the plight of the still-endangered sea turtles.

This new edition captures Carr's gentle humor, his scientific rigor, his passionate fascination with sea turtles, and his intense love of sharing his knowledge with readers. From biologist to beachcomber, no one who cares about sea turtles can afford to be without a copy of this book.