Iridescent Skin: A Multispecies Journey of White Sharks & Caged Humans (H.B)

Book Details

• Publisher: Niyogi Books Pvt. Ltd.

• Author: Raj Sekhar Aich

• Language: English

• Edition: First Edition

• ISBN: 9789391125530

• Pages: 492

• Binding: Hardcover

• Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.4 x 1.5 inches

About the Book

Iridescent Skin is a groundbreaking work of multispecies ethnography, exploring the entangled lives of humans and the elusive Great White Sharks through the practice of cage diving in the remote Foveaux Strait of New Zealand. This first-of-its-kind study, based on immersive fieldwork by marine anthropologist Prof. Raj Sekhar Aich and his research assistant, anthropologist Soosan Lucas, offers a unique perspective on the deep, complex relationships between two sentient species—the human and the white shark.

The book goes beyond the typical shark narrative, distancing itself from being a conventional "shark book." It is not simply an academic text, nor is it solely a study of shark behavior or ecology, though those aspects are certainly present. Rather, it is a sensory and experiential journey that explores the emotional and philosophical dimensions of human-shark encounters. At its core, Iridescent Skin is a story of love and connection—love that transcends boundaries between species, nature, and the cosmos. It weaves together themes of personal and social histories, ecological entanglements, and perceptions of water, land, and life.

Prof. Agustín Fuentes describes the book as an invitation into the intersection of two sentient species, where the reader is invited to explore a narrative that is as much about the sharks as it is about the people, rivers, oceans, and histories that intertwine. Iridescent Skin is an immersive multispecies anthropology, blending academic rigor with artistic storytelling to present a reflective meditation on the nature of interspecies relationships.

This book is a must-read for those interested in anthropology, marine biology, and the intricate connections that bind humans to the natural world. It also appeals to readers who are drawn to stories that celebrate the bonds between different species and the complex ecosystems they inhabit.