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Book Review: The Underwater Eye by Margaret Cohen
Jeff Goodman reviews The Underwater Eye: How the Movie Camera Opened the Depths and Unleashed New Realms of Fantasy by Margaret Cohen
It’s not that long ago that humans started to explore the underwater world in person rather than only being able to observe from what we saw at the surface or brought up in fishing nets. We progressed from basic underwater diving barrels to modern day scuba in a very short time and during that time, we invented cameras that could function underwater and record all we saw. Stunning and rapid advances in technology that enabled us all to explore and share the underwater world.
It is important, and enjoyable, to explore those advances and to gain the knowledge of the progression of our inventions, up to the present day, and Margaret Cohen’s comprehensive research and skilful writing makes this book a fascinating read.
Today everyone can have access to underwater cameras and the scuba/diving equipment needed to use them. We take it all for granted. But it was, we are informed, all hard earned for us by a few extraordinary people with a great passion for exploration and invention, as well as a love of the underwater world.
The Underwater Eye is a very well written and researched book that takes us comprehensively through this remarkable journey. Since the early days of underwater exploration and film making where it was exploitation of wrecks as well as recording the unknown wonders of marine life that drove us forward, we now use underwater filming in many other forms such as education, entertainment, science and art. It is an exciting and thrilling environment to be filming in and this book captures all that excitement in both its text and wonderful historic images.
The book covers, in detail, the filming of our fantastic marine life as well as looking at the issues of pollution, over fishing and habitat loss. It is here that underwater cameras and filming can help to let the world see what is happening to our oceans and ‘The Underwater Eye’ can be part of our ocean’s protection.
As well as being available as an e-book, it is the hardback version that I prefer to be on my book shelf or resting on the side table, to be revisited and appreciated in quiet moments.
Published by Princeton University Press | 21st June 2022 | Hardback | £28
For more information, please contact Alyssa_Sanford@press.princeton.edu
Margaret Cohen is the Andrew B. Hammond Professor of French Language, Literature, and Civilization at Stanford University, where she teaches in the Department of English. Her books include the award-winning The Novel and the Sea and The Sentimental Education of the Novel (both Princeton), as well as Profane Illumination: Walter Benjamin and the Paris of Surrealist Revolution. She is also the coeditor of The Aesthetics of the Undersea and general editor of A Cultural History of the Sea. She lives in Stanford, California.
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Renowned anti-whaling activist Paul Watson has been released from custody in Greenland after spending five months in detention. Denmark’s Justice Ministry rejected Japan’s request for his extradition, citing insufficient guarantees that his time already served in custody would be credited against any potential sentence.
The 74-year-old Canadian-American was arrested on July 21 in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, when his ship docked to refuel. His arrest was based on a 2012 Japanese warrant related to a 2010 encounter in Antarctic waters. Japan alleged Watson obstructed operations and caused damage to a whaling research ship during efforts to disrupt illegal whaling. Watson has consistently denied these claims, maintaining his commitment to marine conservation.
Denmark, which oversees extradition matters for Greenland, concluded that while the legal conditions for extradition were met, the lack of assurances from Japan regarding time-served credit made extradition untenable.
In a video shared by his foundation, Watson expressed gratitude and relief, saying, “After five months, it’s good to be out… and good to know they’re not sending me to Japan.” He added that the most difficult part of his time in custody was being separated from his two young sons.
Watson is a pioneering figure in marine conservation, known for founding the Captain Paul Watson Foundation in 2022 after decades of activism with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. His bold efforts to defend marine life have earned him widespread support, including from celebrities and conservationists. His work has also been featured in the acclaimed reality TV series Whale Wars.
Watson’s lawyer, Jonas Christoffersen, praised the decision, stating, “We are happy and relieved that Paul Watson is now free.” He added that Watson is eager to reunite with his family and continue his vital work.
The arrest occurred while Watson’s vessel, the M/Y John Paul DeJoria, was en route to the North Pacific with a team of 26 volunteers to intercept a Japanese whaling ship. His foundation described the arrest as politically motivated and emphasized that Watson’s actions were focused on ending illegal whaling practices.
Japan resumed commercial whaling in 2019 after leaving the International Whaling Commission, asserting that whale meat is a cultural tradition. Conservationists, however, continue to challenge these practices, highlighting their impact on marine ecosystems.
Despite the challenges, Watson remains steadfast in his mission to protect marine life and bring attention to whaling practices. His dedication to ocean conservation has made him a globally respected advocate for the environment.
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