Becoming a Marine Biologist (Masters at Work) Hardcover – April 2, 2019

I probably would not have stumbled onto this book if not for a Facebook group I'm a member of (Cetal Fauna). I have most of Robin Baird's books and follow his Ziphiid work in Hawaii (Cascadia Research Collective) and this book is basically a biography of his life to date. It is not the typical pathway for marine biologists these days as statistics and mathematical modelling has overtaken most work and those who are cut from the naturalist cloth can lack some of those assumed skills. I recognize that primarily because I lack those skills myself. This issue IS covered in the book. Here is where focus and drive can help drive you down that pathway to your goal and those factors assisted (and continue to assist) Robin in his life's work. From his benchmark work on NE Pacific transient killer whales social behavior to investigations of Naval sonar impacts on cetaceans as well as key research on Hawaiian resident populations of false killer whales etc, Robin continues to publish new and exciting data. Somehow I have a feeling that it will be Robin who is involved in solving the mystery of the Cross Seamount Mesoplodon ??? (acoustic clues are the only info to date on this critter) as well as the other mystery Mesoplodon ??? near Hawaii mentioned in his seaglider paper (more acoustic clues). I could go on and on but suffice it to say, as an admirer (and closet Ziphiid geek) I enjoyed this book immensely!

Excellent book great read and good price