NONFICTION - Dec. 22, 1991

GREAT WHITE SHARK by Richard Ellis and John E. McCosker (HarperCollins Publishers/Stanford University Press: $50 ). In almost reverent tones, the authors have succeeded admirably in presenting a balanced account of the biology and popular myth that surrounds Caracharodon carcharias , the great white shark. As such, it should be intriguing and informative to the educated layman, yet satisfying and useful to scientists (who will be pleased by the relatively complete bibliography and index). Indeed, scientists can learn a lesson from Ellis and McCosker: They have produced a product that is both scholarly and readable without being condescending or boring. There is an obligatory review of silly movies and popular pulp-paperback paraphernalia, and the length of the section on shark attacks may be so great as to blunt its purpose of demonstrating the power of these creatures. However, these small difficulties are more than overcome by excellent sections on the evolution, anatomy, size, feeding, biology and distribution of the great white. Ellis’ artwork and the often spectacular photographs by Al Giddings and others are particularly noteworthy.