Extraordinary Seaweeds : The hidden lives of the ocean's architects

"What a beautiful, educational and entertaining book." Tristan Gooley (author of The Natural Navigator and The Walker's Guide to Outdoor Clues & Signs)

"Brodie is splendid company on this thrilling journey across shorelines and into deep sea and deep time — learned, entertaining and passionate." Charles Foster (author of The Singing Sea)

Dive into the mysterious world of seaweeds.

Marine algae form one of the most diverse organism groups on the planet and have shaped the Earth's ecosystems for over 1.6 billion years, producing oxygen, storing blue carbon and sustaining life both in the sea and on land.

In Extraordinary Seaweeds, world-renowned marine botanist Professor Juliet Brodie reveals how these remarkable organisms underpin marine ecosystems, support biodiversity and influence climate and weather patterns.

This beautifully illustrated guide reveals the hidden stories of evolution, biology and ecological importance behind each seaweed, from a strange symbiotic relationship with a solar-powered slug to gender-fluid reproductive strategies, as well as their role in sustainability and climate change.

Featuring 50 stunning species profiles from around the globe, Extraordinary Seaweeds is both a scientific deep dive and a celebration of some of the planet's most overlooked life forms — perfect for nature readers, ocean lovers, coastal foragers and anyone curious about how seaweed helps fight climate change.

"What a glorious book. A watery compendium of seaweeds, gathered like a marine bouquet... described with Dr Juliet Brodie's lively, personable and informative narrative... a scientific fairytale of the sea, made all the more beautiful by the reality of the organisms it presents, and by illustrations which would put any surrealist artist to shame in their depiction of such exquisite alien life forms." Philip Hoare (author of Leviathan, or, The Whale)

"A richly illustrated and beautifully written book that entertains you with the wonders, beauty and value of seaweeds. From their fascinating history and diverse ecology, through to their uses as human food or medicines, this is one of those rare books that anyone interested in natural history simply must have for their library." John Long (author of The Secret History of Sharks)

"Juliet is one of the most knowledgeable scientists in the world on seaweed, which may well be the greatest untapped resource we have on this planet in order to address the upcoming challenges. This book is a must-read for anyone who feels concerned about the environment and wants to know more about the fantastic diversity and wide range of properties of the magicalgae." Vincent Doumeizel (author of The Seaweed Revolution)

"An extraordinary book. Beautifully written and illustrated... Juliet shares her lifelong passion for seaweeds with us in an utterly captivating way. Easy style, textured presentation and fun facts make the book a compelling read." Dr Prannie Rhatigan (author of Irish Seaweed Kitchen)

"Everyone should know more about seaweeds, and this book does the job. It informs, it educates, it amuses. Seaweeds range in size from a hair to a 50 m length, they are green, red and brown, and appeared on the planet over one billion years ago. There is much to learn in this book. You will not put it down until you have read it all." Sir Paul Nurse OM CH FRS, 2001 Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine