Overview

Driving through the Atlantic Ocean is a powerful current with a force 300 times that of the mighty Amazon. First discovered by Ponce de Leon in 1513, it sped ships laden with fortunes in spices, sugar, and rum from the New World back to Spain and also guided the ships of the buccaneers who preyed on them. Later, the current was essential to the development of the transatlantic slave trade. So important were the economic benefits of this ocean conveyor belt to American traders that early maps of it--charted with the help of Benjamin Franklin--were kept as closely guarded secrets.Stan Ulanski explores the fascinating science and history of this sea highway known as the Gulf Stream, one of the last vestiges of wilderness on Earth. Spanning both distance and time, Ulanski's investigation reveals how the Gulf Stream affects and is affected by every living thing that encounters it--from tiny planktonic organisms to giant bluefin tuna, from ancient mariners to big game anglers. He examines the scientific discovery of ocean circulation, the biological life teeming in the stream, and the role of ocean currents in the settlement of the New World. The Gulf Stream continues to be important today for trade and sport, for the irreplaceable habitat it provides for plant and animal species, and for its key part in changing weather patterns and the climate of the North Atlantic region. The Gulf Stream is an essential introduction to this vital natural wonder.

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9780807887165

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The Gulf Stream is a blend of science and history that tells the story of one of the world's most powerful natural forces that has heavily influenced the exploration and development of the New World. It is packed full of details about the oceans and the people who explored the seas over the past 500 years, helping readers understand the connections between natural and human ecologies. <br> -- Todd Miller, executive director, North Carolina Coastal Federation

Includes a fascinating account of the Gulf Stream's role in history. -- Science News Historical examples add interest. . . . The sections on life and travel in the Gulf Stream are the most interesting and readable and will appeal to general readers. -- Library Journal Here is the amazing story of the ocean river we know as the Gulf Stream, told in a manner the layman can understand. -- David Stick, author of Graveyard of the Atlantic: Shipwrecks of the North Carolina Coast Ulanski takes readers on a dizzying trip within, afloat and around the Gulf Stream. . . . This multifaceted treatment of 'the blue god' offers something for almost every kind of ocean lover. -- Publishers Weekly The book's strength is its versatility. It can be used in an introductory oceanography or environmental science class, and is also geared to nature and outdoor enthusiasts with its section on marine life and fishing. History buffs will appreciate the power of the Gulf Stream in setting the stage for settlement in the Americas. -- ForeWord Magazine The Gulf Stream is a blend of science and history that tells the story of one of the world's most powerful natural forces that has heavily influenced the exploration and development of the New World. It is packed full of details about the oceans and the people who explored the seas over the past 500 years, helping readers understand the connections between natural and human ecologies. -- Todd Miller, executive director, North Carolina Coastal Federation

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