The Book of Eels: Our Enduring Fascination with the Most Mysterious Creature in the Natural World
SKU: 40487943435

The Book of Eels: Our Enduring Fascination with the Most Mysterious Creature in the Natural World

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The Book of Eels: Our Enduring Fascination with the Most Mysterious Creature in the Natural WorldLos Angeles Times Bestseller IndieBound Bestseller One of Forbes' "Best Summer Reads for Those Stuck Inside Working Remotely" One of the LA Times' "21 New and Classic Books to Keep You in Touch with the Natural World" One of NPR Science Friday's Best Science Books of the Summer Part H Is for Hawk, part The Soul of an Octopus, The Book of Eels is both a meditation on the world's most elusive fish the eel and a reflection on the human condition

Los Angeles Times Bestseller

IndieBound Bestseller

One of Forbes' "Best Summer Reads for Those Stuck Inside Working Remotely"

One of the LA Times' "21 New and Classic Books to Keep You in Touch with the Natural World"

One of NPR Science Friday's Best Science Books of the Summer

Part H Is for Hawk, part The Soul of an Octopus, The Book of Eels is both a meditation on the world's most elusive fish--the eel--and a reflection on the human condition

Remarkably little is known about the European eel, Anguilla anguilla. So little, in fact, that scientists and philosophers have, for centuries, been obsessed with what has become known as the "eel question" Where do eels come from? What are they? Are they fish or some other kind of creature altogether? Even today, in an age of advanced science, no one has ever seen eels mating or giving birth, and we still don't understand what drives them, after living for decades in freshwater, to swim great distances back to the ocean at the end of their lives. They remain a mystery.

Drawing on a breadth of research about eels in literature, history, and modern marine biology, as well as his own experience fishing for eels with his father, Patrik Svensson crafts a mesmerizing portrait of an unusual, utterly misunderstood, and completely captivating animal. In The Book of Eels, we meet renowned historical thinkers, from Aristotle to Sigmund Freud to Rachel Carson, for whom the eel was a singular obsession. And we meet the scientists who spearheaded the search for the eel's point of origin, including Danish marine biologist Johannes Schmidt, who led research efforts in the early twentieth century, catching thousands upon thousands of eels, in the hopes of proving their birthing grounds in the Sargasso Sea.

Blending memoir and nature writing at its best, Svensson's journey to understand the eel becomes an exploration of the human condition that delves into overarching issues about our roots and destiny, both as humans and as animals, and, ultimately, how to handle the biggest question of all: death. The result is a gripping and slippery narrative that will surprise and enchant.

--What's Jordana Reading, Summer Reads

Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Ecco Press
Published: 05/26/2020
ISBN: 9780062968814
Pages: 256
Weight: 0.75lbs
Size: 8.30h x 5.80w x 1.10d

Review Citations: Kirkus Reviews 03/15/2020
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SKU: 40487943435

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Tonya
Houston, US
★★★★★ 5
My dogs love these!
Pattern Name: Peanut Butter, Size: 6 Inch (Pack of 15)
It doesn’t matter if it’s a 4 inch or a 6 inch my dogs love these things. We keep them in stock all the time. It’s great for anxiety and their teeth and breath
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Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2026
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poodlegirl
Port Orchard, US
★★★★★ 5
My dog LOVES these!
Pattern Name: Peanut Butter, Size: 6 Inch (Pack of 15)
My two year old mini poodle loves these! Of course all dogs love peanut butter. And carrots! The only caution I take is to only let her eat half. Yes it is a wrestling match when making her retreat. LOL I find if my girl eats it all she is likely to have ugly bowel issue either later or first thing when she rises in the morning . I still buy them over and over but use with a plan in mind. I think they are medium hardness. My dog really needs something harder to engage for days. I do buy the hard Himalayan cheese on Amazon but she prefers her other options. Depending on your breed size and how much you like to clean up poo determines your personal plan for your fur baby.
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Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2025
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Kindle Customer
Lake Worth, US
★★★★★ 1
Made my dog very sick!
My dog has been eating these for 3 years. He loves them and they help keep his teeth clean. I gave him one from the New bag I ordered. It looked a little lighter in color but I thought it was fine. That was this past Sunday. He only ate half of it and I thought that was odd. That night around 1am he threw up. Then had diarrhea later that morning. I thought maybe he ate something in the yard. Now Monday he stopped eating and had explosive diarrhea. Took him to vet on Tuesday morning. They did bloodwork, checked feces and had x ray done incase of a possible blockage. Finally got results on Thursday and 700.00 later. Doctor said he must of eaten something but can't say exactly what. He's doing better now with an antibiotic. The only thing he ate was that bully bone on Sunday. It was really scary because he was so sick. I will be throwing out these bones and try to find something safe for him to chew. This was a great product until they may have changed ingredients.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2025
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Skye and Ted
Waukegan, US
★★★★★ 5
The Best Flavor-Packed Toy to Stuff and Chew! 🐾
Flavor Name: REAL Bacon, Size: Medium
Hello, it’s Skye! I’m back with another very important product update. If you are a dog who loves a challenge and loves real bacon, you need to tell your humans to get you the Benebone Ring Durable Dog Chew Toy. Why this ring is my absolute favorite: The Ultimate Treat Bowl: My absolute favorite part about this ring is the hollow center. My humans stuff it full of yummy treats, freeze-dried raw bites, or a little dog-safe peanut butter, and it turns into the best puzzle bowl ever! I will happily spend hours licking and working to get every single crumb out. Tastes Like Real Bacon: Even after I clean out all the stuffed treats, the toy itself is infused with real, delicious bacon flavor. It doesn't smell like fake chemicals; it smells like the real deal, which makes my nose very happy. Super Durable for Heavy Chewing: I have sharp puppy teeth and I love to chomp, but this durable nylon ring is tough. The curved design makes it really easy for me to flip up with my paws and hold securely while I chew away. It keeps me completely occupied, exercises my brain, and satisfies my need to chew. Five paws up for the best stuffed treat ring ever! 🐶🥓
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Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2026
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Jess Papineau
Dallas, US
★★★★★ 5
Recommend
Flavor Name: REAL Bacon, Size: Small
This chew toy is great for aggressive chewers—it’s very durable and holds up much longer than most other toys we’ve tried. The ring shape makes it easy for dogs to grip and carry, and my dog was immediately interested in it, likely because of the real bacon flavor. It’s also a nice bonus that it’s made in the USA and doesn’t have a strong smell for humans. That said, it is very hard, so I’d recommend keeping an eye on your dog while they’re using it, especially if they’re an intense chewer. Over time, it does wear down and needs to be replaced once the edges get rough. Overall: a long-lasting, high-quality chew that keeps dogs occupied—just be mindful of the hardness and monitor for wear.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2026

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