Davidson, Osha Gray. Fire in the turtle house; the green sea turtle and the fate of the ocean.

PublicAffairs. 258p. illus. bibliog. index. c2001. 1-58648-199-1. $15.00. JSA 

Davidson has written many books and articles on the fate of the ocean and the welfare of the inhabitants of the earth. This book begins by specifically focusing on the fate of the green turtles in Hawaii, but ends by showing how the fate of one species is an indicator of the fate of the oceans in general. The author uses compelling examples to tell about a larger issue. For example, he talks about two scientists witnessing the wholesale selling of turtles to make turtle fritters and turtle soup for Hawaiian tourists. They wonder, "How many turtles can there be?" and begin a lifelong study and quest to save the remaining turtles. Likewise, noticing the tumors on one turtle led to intensive study of a disease that is affecting thousands of turtles and that could lead to the understanding of unknown diseases in humans. Some of the science is a bit technical but the writing makes it understandable. Some who read this book may be discouraged, but as the author says, "Hope is the last emotion to die," and perhaps the efforts eta few will lead to combined efforts that will make an impact on the ultimate fate of the ocean. One can hope, but this book may inspire action as well. One of the people the author meets asked him to "Remind them: we are all creatures of the sea," and that's what this book does. Nola Theiss, Sanibel, FL