Many Things Under a Rock : The ‘mind-blowing’ book that reveals the mysteries of the octopus, perfect reading for summer 2025

A fascinating exploration of the octopus from the world-leading marine biologist David Scheel: perfect summer reading for fans of 'My Octopus Teacher' and Other Minds.

'Scheel brings the world of the octopus vividly alive. The best nature books do not just describe animals: they give us a sense of what it might be like to shape-shift ourselves and live in their skins.' Financial Times

'Fascinating. The deepest of octopus books' Peter Godfrey-Smith

'Octopuses are deeply, gloriously weird... The book abounds with wonders.' Kathleen Jamie, New Statesman

'Mind-blowing and soul-expanding.' Sy Montgomery, author of The Soul of an Octopus

The octopus is a highly intelligent and deeply mysterious creature. It can communicate in sophisticated ways, change colour and texture in a split second, and sense aspects of the world that we cannot, making it seem otherworldly.

Marine biologist David Scheel's lifelong preoccupation with these animals has led to a career of groundbreaking research. Here he shares his latest scientific understanding of octopuses and recounts his intrepid adventures with these charismatic creatures.

Many Things Under a Rock celebrates octopuses as complex emotional beings and reveals what they can teach us about ourselves.

what readers are saying:

'Carefully and lovingly written . . . Many Things Under a Rock entertained and fascinated me aplenty, and I would recommend it to all nonfiction readers.'

'I found this a really interesting read and would recommend it to anyone interested in natural history.'

'Fascinating . . . can't put it down!'