The Best New Shark Books To Read In 2025

From ancient megalodons to fearsome Great Whites, this book tells the complete, untold story of how sharks emerged as Earth’s ultimate survivors, by world-leading paleontologist John Long. “Will keep you on the edge of your seat from its first page to its last page.”—Jared Diamond, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Guns, Germs, and Steel. Sharks have been fighting for their lives for 500 million years and today are under dire threat. They are the longest-surviving vertebrate on Earth, outlasting multiple mass extinction events that decimated life on the planet. But how did they thrive for so long?

By developing superpower-like abilities that allowed them to ascend to the top of the oceanic food chain. John Long, who for decades has been on the cutting edge of shark research, weaves a thrilling story of sharks’ unparalleled reign. The Secret History of Sharks showcases the global search to discover sharks’ largely unknown evolution, led by Long and dozens of other extraordinary scientists. They embark on digs to all seven continents, investigating layers of rock and using cutting-edge technology to reveal never-before-found fossils and the clues to sharks’ singular story. As the tale unfolds, Longintroduces an enormous range of astonishing organisms: a thirty-foot-long shark with a deadly saw blade of jagged teeth protruding from its lower jaws, a monster giant clams crusher, and bizarre sharks fossilized while in their mating ritual. The book also includes startling new facts about the mighty megalodon, with its sixty-six-foot-long body, massive jaws, and six-inch serrated teeth. With insights into the threats to sharks today, how they contribute to medical advances, and the lessons they can teach us about our own survival, The Secret History of Sharks is a riveting look at scientific discovery with ramifications far beyond the ocean.

Dive into 1,000 sensational facts about these fierce and fascinating predators, from great whites to whale sharks, reef sharks, goblin sharks, and more! From the bizarre frilled shark to the wide-headed hammerhead, discover all you have ever wanted to know about sharks! Each page of this book is brimming with bite-sized facts, incredible shark stats, and unbelievable photos of sharks in the wild. Inside, you’ll glimpse fossils of prehistoric sharks, learn exactly how many pointy teeth are in this apex predator’s mouth, and meet awesome shark relatives, like stingrays.

You’ll also learn about new technologies inspired by sharks and find out what conservations are doing to help protect this misunderstood fish. With a fun-fact format that makes learning feel like a breeze, and expert-vetted, up-to-date shark info—plus backmatter about shark anatomy, genealogy, and more—this book is your go-to reference for shark enthusiasts young and old. Plus, hundreds of thrilling photographs bring the facts to life in this dazzling dive into the watery world of these incredible creatures.

Shark Week expert, Dr. Greg Skomal, returns with a new shark handbook offering you a thorough exploration of the most fearsome and misunderstood shark on Earth. Discover the great white’s astonishing evolutionary adaptations, common misconceptions, and the ways these magnificent creatures are integral to marine ecosystems. Written by a premier shark expert and marine biologist, this illuminating book will take you beyond the dramatic representations in media and pop culture and allow you to appreciate the power and beauty of these remarkable cold-blooded carnivores. This great white manifesto includes:.

Hundreds of stunning underwater photographsA thorough profile of this shark’s habitat, behavior, anatomy, size, diet, hunting habits, and moreThe latest expert discoveries about this speciesInvaluable information about conservation efforts and threats to the populationLearn from the scientists and conservationists who have made learning about and protecting these impressive sharks their lifes’ work. Sink your teeth into the secret world of sharks with The Great White Shark Handbook.