Spineless: The Science of Jellyfish and the Art of Growing a Backbone

When ocean scientist and science writer Berwald began researching jellyfish, she discovered two things. First, to understand jellyfish, one has to comprehend all the complexities of the ocean and its inhabitants. Second, it's important to write something that matters. As a result, this passion project of science and memoir does not center on jellyfish alone. Rather, it presents information on the ocean's ecosystem, the effects of climate change, and the economics of fishing, in order to get people thinking about the ocean and its future. Unfortunately, with so many issues covered, the book's organization may be confusing. Some unnecessary descriptions and awkward sentence structures also detract from the narrative. However, the writer's epiphany about her own life's journey in the second half of the volume provides more focus. Readers might relate to Berwald's reminiscing about lost dreams and disappointments, although some may find the tone whiny. More than a mere look at jellyfish, this title is a challenge to be more deliberate in how we live.