Understanding the Oceans brings together an internationally distinguished group of authors to consider the enormous advances in marine science that have been achieved since the voyages of HMS Challenger a century ago‎.‎ The whole book draws inspiration from the seminal contribution made by the research conducted on those voyages‎,‎ and each contributor considers the significance of the findings‎,‎ relating them to the exciting developments of today and tomorrow‎.‎ Covering the whole spectrum of the marine sciences‎,‎ the book has been written and edited very much with the non‎-specialist reader in mind‎.‎ Marine scientists‎,‎ whether students or researchers‎,‎ will welcome this authoritative sweep through the history of their subject through to the present day‎;‎ other scientists will find the book to be an accessible and informative introduction to marine science and its historical roots‎.‎