Echinoderms, including feather stars, seastars, brittle stars, sea urchins and sea cucumbers, are some of the most beautiful and interesting animals in the sea. They play an important ecological role and several species of sea urchins and sea cucumbers form the basis of important fisheries. Over 1000 species live in Australian waters, from the shoreline to the depths of the abyssal plain and the tropics to Antarctic waters. Australian Echinoderms is an authoritative account of Australia’s 110 families of echinoderms. It brings together in a single volume comprehensive information on the identification, biology, evolution, ecology and management of these animals for the first time. Richly illustrated with beautiful photographs and written in an accessible style, Australian Echinoderms suits the needs of marine enthusiasts, academics and fisheries managers both in Australia and other geographical areas where echinoderms are studied.

This book is a labour of love. It comes straight from the heart of a remarkable woman. It is her story, from childhood in wartime London, to life as a deserted wife and hard-working single mother, from haunted Harold Cottage to a smallholding in rural west Wales. But it is first and foremost the true stories of her lifelong friends: the dogs, horses and other animals she befriended, often rescued from misery and neglect during those hard years - friends, who in return, gave her their unconditional love. It is sometimes funny, sometimes sad, moving and heart-breaking, but ultimately inspiring. A charming book that will appeal to animal lovers everywhere.