The 10 Best Books About Sharks — Reviewed and Ranked

Sharks have fascinated people for ages — both from fear and admiration. They’ve too often been portrayed as scary, fearsome, and human-eating animals in some parts of the media. However, there is so much more to sharks than what Hollywood has presented! In fact, there are many excellent books about sharks that teach readers about their fascinating lives and even campaign for their conservation. Sharks live in a completely different world from ours, deep below the surface of our oceans. Their capabilities, such as electroreception and incredible speed, are unlike any other animal on earth.

As scientists discovered unique things about the ocean’s toothy cartilaginous species, more and more books have been published about them. From fiction and science to history and conservation, here are some of the best books about sharks for your reading pleasure.

Top Picks: The Best Books About Sharks Today

#1 Overall Best: The Encyclopedia of Sharks by Steve Parker

This book is called The Encyclopedia of Sharks for a good reason. It’s a comprehensive, fact-filled reference on every species of shark on the planet, with in-depth descriptions of numerous shark species. Some of these include the great white, thresher, megamouth, tiger shark, and whale shark, the largest fish in the world. 

This book discusses the anatomy, evolution, strong bodies, and extraordinary senses of different types of sharks. It also explains how sharks hunt, eat, reproduce, hibernate, migrate, and live in ocean habitats.

By offering plain facts and up-to-date research in this 244-page book, Steve Parker dispels the misconceptions and vicious tales about sharks. It also includes over 200 beautiful images of sharks, which were made possible by the recent improvements in underwater photography and marine research. This book also includes many detailed charts and maps.

Pros and Cons of The Encyclopedia of Sharks by Steve Parker

Top Pick

The Encyclopedia of Sharks

• Comprehensive, fact-filled reference on every species of shark on the planet
• Great resource for shark lovers
• Detailed information about a variety of sharks

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2. Great Historical Read: Close to Shore: The Terrifying Shark Attacks of 1916 by Michael Capuzzo

This one is based on the horrific incident of July 1916. Micheal Capuzzo recounts how a great white shark came out of its deep-ocean habitat and moved 11 miles up a river in New Jersey and attacked swimmers along the coastline. This led to what has been described as the first shark attacks on swimmers in American history. Capuzzo combines horrific descriptions of the shark’s five attacks and the ensuing hunt that followed. His retelling provides a very realistic depiction of the time period and deftly rendered characters.

Close to Shore is a New York Times bestseller. It is rife with rich historical background and insights into the physiology and behavior of sharks. Capuzzo provides extensive research and engaging writing that takes readers back to a pivotal moment in American history with this book.

However, some readers felt that Capuzzo provides a bit too much historical detail in this book as he recreates the time period of these historical attacks. If you are into history and want to learn the social and socioeconomic aspects of the setting and time period, then this book is a great framework. The book focuses on the effects of the shark attacks on society more than the attacks themselves. It also does a great job showing the perceptions of scientists and professionals at the time (such as sharks having venomous bites). In addition, Capuzzo is an excellent wordsmith. He writes this nonfiction history with engaging storytelling skills that make it fun to read.

Pros and Cons of Close to Shore: The Terrifying Shark Attacks of 1916 by Michael Capuzzo

Great Historical Read

Close to Shore: The Terrifying Shark Attacks of 1916

• Well-researched retelling of the 1916 New Jersey shark attacks
• Will appeal to fans of fiction and non-fiction alike
• Another version is available for young readers

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3. For Fans of Jaws: Jaws by Peter Benchley

Authored by Peter Benchley, Jaws is a classic story about a big white shark and its attacks on the humans of a beachside town in America. The book was a huge hit after its initial release in February 1974. The hardback edition spent 44 weeks on the bestseller list. The paperback edition sold millions of copies the following year. The book was quickly adapted into a blockbuster film by Steven Spielberg. This film set a new record for box office revenue at the time.

Benchley not only produced a thrilling fiction story. He also extensively researched everything he could find at the time for insights into shark behavior. Following the publication of his book, he has continued to work with scientists and filmmakers as they learn more about these mysterious sea creatures and promote shark conservation. Jaws provides a thrilling story about an impressive great white shark that illustrates the incredible presence and power of these apex predators.

This particular edition of Jaws also includes bonus content in addition to the original 1974 story. Pulled straight from Benchley’s own personal archives, the book includes the original typed title page, a list of potential titles that Benchley brainstormed, and even a less that he wrote to producer David Brown with his personal notes on the film adaptation of his novel. In addition, there are excerpts from another one of Benchley’s books, Shark Trouble. This book offers his personal experience and insights while writing Jaws.

However, it is important to note that while Benchley’s novel Jaws was the inspiration for Spielberg’s film, there are many differences. Some customers reported that if you love Jaws this is a great read, but that they preferred the film version better. On the other hand, others much preferred the book over the film.

Pros and Cons of Jaws by Peter Benchley

For Fans of JAWS

Jaws

• Perfect for fans of the movie
• A well-written, classic thriller book
• Led to a turning-point in cinematic history

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4. Great Survival Story: The Devil’s Teeth: A True Story of Obsession and Survival among America’s Great White Sharks by Susan Casey

Only scientists are allowed to step foot on the Farallon Islands, a small set of islands in perilous waters off the coast of California. This is where American journalist and author Susan Casey went to see great white sharks feeding once a year during “shark season.” Her book details her experience with these fascinating and mysterious creatures.

Along with a group of fellow scientists, Casey visited the islands to study and observe the animals there. However, their trip was far from easy. These islands are very hostile to human habitation. The waters surrounding them are extremely dangerous, filled with sharks that like to “test” things by biting them.

This book made it to top bestselling lists including the New York Times, San Francisco Chronicles, and the 2005 NPR Summer Reading selection. Not only is the subject fascinating, but Casey is a brilliant writer with unmatched talent. Reading this book is like having a personal conversation with the author as she takes you on a journey of her unique experiences in the field. She has a gift for making scientific topics easy to understand and provides tons of vivid, sensory descriptions that make you feel like you are right there with her on her journey.

However, a few readers were disappointed that the book was more about Casey’s experience and less about sharks.

Pros and Cons of The Devil’s Teeth: A True Story of Obsession and Survival among America’s Great White Sharks by Susan Casey

Great Survival Story

The Devil's Teeth: A True Story of Obsession and Survival Among America's Great White Sharks

• Lots of information about the Farallon Islands
• An adventurous tale about great white sharks
• New York Times best-seller

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5. Best Non-Fiction: Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist by Jess Keating (Author), Marta Álvarez Miguéns (Illustrator)

Here’s one for the kids. This award-winning, inspiring book was written by zoologist Jess Keating and illustrated by Marta Alvarez Miguens. It tells the story of Eugenie Clark, a little girl who developed a keen interest in sharks while visiting an aquarium. To her surprise, many people thought sharks were ugly and frightening. In addition, many people didn’t think women belonged in the scientific field.

Eugenie dedicated her life to studying sharks because she was determined to disprove their claims. Eugenie earned numerous college degrees, made a ton of discoveries, and cemented her place in science history, earning the moniker “Shark Lady.” Through her achievements, she demonstrated to the world that women are capable of achieving anything they set their minds to and that sharks should be admired rather than feared.

This book has very cute illustrations that are colorful and fun. However, a few readers reported that the text font was a bit small.

This book was featured by the New York Times as one of “Twelve Feminist Books for Boys and Girls”. In 2017, Shark Lady won the Nerdy Book Club Award and was named by Parents Magazine as the Best Nonfiction Book of the Year. It also received the 2018 NSTA Best STEM Book Award and the Best STEM Trade Book Award for Students K-12 by the Children’s Book Council.

Pros and Cons of Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist by Jess Keating (Author), Marta Álvarez Miguéns (Illustrator)

Best Non-Fiction

Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean's Most Fearless Scientist

• Best for kids interested in STEM
• Contains a ton of fascinating and beautifully illustrated shark information
• Included in the New York Time's "Twelve Feminist Books for Boys and Girls"

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6. For a New Perspective on Sharks: Demon Fish: Travels Through the Hidden World of Sharks by Juliet Eilperin

In this book, environmental journalist Juliet Eilperin combines a reporter’s instinct with a scientist’s inquisitiveness as she explores the interesting ways that many people and cultures react to the ocean’s apex predator in an eye-opening journey across the world. 

Eilperin discovers that sharks might not be as dangerous as we once believed. In fact, much of our perceptions of sharks come from Hollywood films and horror stories. Eilperin’s research shows that these depictions are incorrect and that sharks actually play a crucial role in our ecosystems. In fact, their survival is heavily threatened by overfishing sharks for their fins.

Eilperin’s book takes readers on an eye-opening journey across the globe as she meets memorable characters who are either trying to save or feast on these magnificent sea creatures. Her passion for their survival is infectious and the way she brings to light the important issues facing sharks today will make you care about sharks too. Also, it serves as a reminder of the reasons why sharks are still among nature’s most amazing creatures after millions of years.

Pros and Cons of Demon Fish: Travels Through the Hidden World of Sharks by Juliet Eilperin

For a New Perspective on Sharks

Demon Fish: Travels Through the Hidden World of Sharks

• Good to learn about sharks from a cultural viewpoint
• Explores the natural history and conservation of sharks
• Great example of journalistic writing on the topic of sharks

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7. Great Fiction Story: Sharks in the Time of Saviors by Kawai Strong Washburn

Although sharks aren’t the only subject in this book, they play a crucial part. Sharks in the Time of Saviors is a tremendously innovative debut novel about seven-year-old Nainoa Flores. While on vacation in Hawaii, he falls into the water and is snatched by a shark. The shark, however, shockingly brings him back to his parents without injury.

As the years go by, it appears that Nainoa has developed new abilities after this miracle experience. However, Nainoa and his family struggle through life for the next thirty years as they try to balance their survival, heritage, and family relationships alongside legends of Hawaiian gods.

The author, Kawai Strong Washburn, has beautifully crafted pieces of Hawaiian culture and beliefs with a nice blend of magical realism. The story jumps between old myths and modern-day realities. Its poetic writing style paints vivid family bonds and raw emotions. However, a few readers struggled with the aspects of magical realism and the blending of the past, mythology, and the modern day.

Washburn won the 2021 PEN/Hemingway Award for Debut Novel and was a finalist for the PEN/Jean Stein Book Award in the same year. Sharks in the Time of Saviors was on the list of 2020 Best Books of the Year in the New York Times, Guardian, Oprah Magazine, Good Housekeeping,  BBC Culture, Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and Boston Globe. It was also listed by Barack Obama as one of his best books of 2020. 

Pros and Cons of Sharks in the Time of Saviors by Kawai Strong Washburn

Great Fiction Story

Sharks in the Time of Saviors: A Novel

• Great for fans of magical realism
• Transportive writing style
• Won "Book of the Year" in multiple publications

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8. Great Reference Book: Sharks of the World: A Complete Guide by Dr. David A. Ebert (Author), Marc Dando (Author), Dr. Sarah Fowler (Author), Rima Jabado (Foreword)

If you are fascinated by sharks, then this book is a must-read. It is the ultimate guidebook for shark enthusiasts with information about 536 shark species. The book also contains captivating photographs, colorful illustrations, and plenty of interesting diagrams. However, it doesn’t bog you down with too much information, with everything organized in an easy-to-use layout.

This most recent edition of Sharks of the World: A Complete Guide provides the latest taxonomic revisions of several shark families and features many recently discovered shark species! There are fin identification guides, colored maps, and overviews on the ecology, biology, behavior, life cycles, and conservation of sharks. This book is one of the most comprehensive field guides on sharks to date!

The only complaint customers had was that a few copies arrived with printing issues (weak cover, misaligned pages, double printing, etc.).

Pros and Cons of Sharks of the World: A Complete Guide by Dr. David A. Ebert (Author), Marc Dando (Author), Dr. Sarah Fowler (Author), Rima Jabado (Foreword)

Great Reference Book

Sharks of the World: A Complete Guide (Wild Nature Press, 22)

• This is the most comprehensive research/field guide on sharks to date.
• It includes information about 536 shark species.
• The information is presented alongside photographs, illustrations, and diagrams. 
• There are guides for species identification, maps, and excellent overviews of various shark species.

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9. For Learning About Shark Behavior: What You Should Know About Sharks: Shark Language, Social Behavior, Human Interactions, and Life Saving Information by Ocean Ramsey (Author), Juan Oliphant (Photographer)

This instructive book is written by Ocean Ramsey. She is a skilled freediver, conservationist, and entrepreneur who runs One Ocean Diving in Hawaii. Her company is all about facilitating incredible underwater dives with marine life — including sharks! Yes, she regularly dives with sharks and educates others on to do so safely.

While Ramsey may sound like an adrenaline junkie, she is actually a shark enthusiast who spends her days educating others on the truth about sharks — that sharks are not the man-eating monsters we see in movies. Ramsey has safely dived with at least 47 different shark species all over the world!

In this book, Ramsey reveals never-before-published secrets on how to avoid, deter, or even interact with these magnificent creatures. Whether you’re a seasoned ocean goer or just getting your feet wet, What You Should Know About Sharks is a practical guide that offers everything you need to know to increase or decrease your chances of encountering a shark, and how to stay safe while doing so.

However, this book is not just a great and informative read — it is also a passionate call to action. Ramsey explains that her deepest desire is to help everyone understand sharks on a whole new level so that they can better appreciate and care for these misunderstood ocean animals. Sharks are being mercilessly slaughtered by the millions, but Ramsey provides hope that we can help save them.

In addition, a major goal of her book is to share information that can actually save human lives. By learning more about these incredible species, we can reduce the risk of shark attacks and ensure that we coexist in harmony with them.

Pros and Cons of What You Should Know About Sharks: Shark Language, Social Behavior, Human Interactions, and Life Saving Information by Ocean Ramsey (Author), Juan Oliphant (Photographer)

For Learning About Shark Behavior

What You Should Know About Sharks: Shark Language, Social Behavior, Human Interactions, and Life Saving Information

• This book is written by Ocean Ramsey, a skilled freediver and conservationist who dives with sharks daily.
• The book provides secrets for how to avoid, deter, or even interact with sharks safely.
• This is a practical guide that offers everything you need to know to increase or decrease your chances of encountering a shark and how to stay safe.

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10. For Understanding and Protecting Sharks: Emperors of the Deep: Sharks — The Ocean’s Most Mysterious, Most Misunderstood, and Most Important Guardians by William McKeever

William McKeever is a conservationist and documentarian. His mission is to share the truth about sharks and how they are not as scary as we once thought. In this book, McKeever explains how sharks are actually really important to keep our oceans healthy. It’s packed with fascinating details about the secret lives of these majestic creatures. This book will totally change the way you think about sharks! Sharks are an essential species, helping to maintain a healthy and balanced ocean ecosystem. They hold the secrets to unlocking some of the ocean’s greatest mysteries. However, climate change and human hunting are threatening their existence.

This book is full of incredible shark facts. It illustrates just how amazing these animals are and what we can learn from them. McKeever focuses on four different types of sharks: the Mako, Tiger, Hammerhead, and Great White. He reveals fascinating information about their hidden lives.

You’ll learn about the prehistoric history of sharks and how they have survived five different extinction-level events! While sharks are fierce apex predators, this book reveals a more in-depth knowledge of their skills and abilities, and how they do not actually hunt humans. In fact, there are only six human fatalities each year that are caused by sharks. On the other hand, humans kill 100 million sharks each year! However, because of some of the hard truths about how humans treat sharks, a few readers felt a bit depressed while reading this book.

In addition to this incredible in-depth knowledge about sharks, McKeever also introduces readers to some amazing humans too. These people have dedicated their lives to studying and protecting these misunderstood creatures. He interviews some of the world’s leading experts on sharks, including the masterminds behind Greenpeace’s Rainbow Warrior and the head of the Massachusetts Shark Research Program.

Pros and Cons of Emperors of the Deep: Sharks — The Ocean’s Most Mysterious, Most Misunderstood, and Most Important Guardians by William McKeever

For Understanding and Protecting Sharks

Emperors of the Deep: Sharks — The Ocean's Most Mysterious, Most Misunderstood, and Most Important Guardians

• The author is a conservationist and documentarian who is on a mission to educate people on the truth about sharks.
• This book is full of incredible shark facts that illustrate just how amazing these animals are and what we can learn from them.
• This book is packed with in-depth facts about these sharks and their hidden lives.
• The author also introduces readers to some of the people who have dedicated their lives to studying and protecting sharks.

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How to Choose the Best Book About Sharks

If you’re looking for the perfect book to quench your fascination with the deep blue sea and its apex predators, there are a few things to think about. Before you start flipping through the pages, you should give some thought to what exactly you’re hoping to gain from your reading experience. Here are some important things to keep in mind:

• Type of book
• Author
• Entertainment vs. Education
• Style

Type of Book

When choosing a book about sharks, there are so many things to read and learn. So, it’s important to think about what you want to get out of the book. Do you want to learn about the different types of sharks that exist? Or perhaps just get lost in some thrilling narratives about brave divers who have had close encounters? Maybe you want to dive deeper into the different species of sharks in the ocean or learn more about their anatomy, feeding habits, and unique characteristics. On the other hand, maybe you’re interested in delving into the history of sharks and their place in different cultures. Or of course, there are many fiction thrillers that feature sharks if you’re looking for something to get your blood pumping.

Author

Next, take a look at the author’s background and credentials, as well as any reviews or ratings from readers. A good book about sharks should captivate your imagination, be informative, and be written by someone who truly knows what they’re talking about. Choosing the right author can greatly affect the quality and accuracy of the information in the book. A credible author will have the necessary expertise, research, and experience to provide comprehensive and insightful information about sharks. This is true for both fiction and nonfiction books about sharks.

Entertainment vs. Education

The subject of sharks is pretty fascinating on its own, but if you really want to enjoy a book, you’re going to want to choose one that is either entertaining and/or educational. Ideally, however, the best books about sharks are a perfect balance between both! Look for books that are packed with interesting facts and captivating stories that take you on a journey through the underwater world of sharks. You’ll also want to choose a book that’s well-written, with accessible language and a clear, engaging style that keeps you turning the pages.

Style

Lastly, when choosing the best books about sharks, style is just as important as substance. While the facts and information presented in a book are definitely important, the way they are presented can make all the difference in terms of engagement and enjoyment. A dry, academic tome may be packed with fascinating data about different shark species, but it won’t necessarily grip readers and keep them hooked from start to finish. On the other hand, a book that is written in a clear, accessible style, with a compelling narrative and vivid descriptions, can draw you in and take you on an exciting journey through the unique world of sharks.