Here are 100 books that Seaweeds of the World fans have personally recommended if you like Seaweeds of the World. Shepherd is a community of 12,000+ authors and super readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

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Book cover of Dispatches from the South China Sea: Navigating to Common Ground

Van Wangye Author Of Wildlife of the South China Sea

From my list on seeing the South China Sea beyond geopolitics.

Why am I passionate about this?

I was born in Singapore to a traditional Chinese medicine trade family in the early 80s, during a period when Singapore was still not a rich country nor a trading hub. As I became an adult, I had experience in the left wing of NGOs and charities and also the right wing in the government sector on cold strict laws controlling wildlife, wildlife management, the Ministry of Education in illustrating for educational materials, etc. I faced radical left environmental extremism before and also extreme right capitalists. This gives me a more well-balanced way of absorbing both left and right, to write my book in a more down-to-earth, neutral tone. 

Van's book list on seeing the South China Sea beyond geopolitics

Van Wangye Why Van loves this book

This book covers mainly the Vietnam side of the South China Sea and its issues of economic or cultural conflict with China. It is very detailed and tackles a wide range of serious issues. It’s a deep ocean that is not suitable for younger readers but for hardcore readers who have an interest in the tension between Vietnam and China concerning the South China Sea.

The book is one of those in which the author drew some information from the Vietnam side of the South China Sea and then rewrote and represented it for a younger audience.

By James Borton ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Dispatches from the South China Sea as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The impact of continuous coastal development, reclamation, destruction of corals, overfishing and increased maritime traffic places all of us on the front lines of preserving our oceans. Marine biologists, who share a common language that cuts across political, economic and social differences, recognize that the sea's remarkable coral reefs, which provide food, jobs and protection against storms and floods, have suffered unprecedented rates of destruction in recent decades.


Dispatches from the South China Sea's blend of participatory research and field reportage paves the way for a transformation of policy and, provides a basis for the eventual resolution of some of…


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Book cover of Aggressor

Aggressor by FX Holden,

It is April 1st, 2038. Day 60 of China's blockade of the rebel island of Taiwan.

The US government has agreed to provide Taiwan with a weapons system so advanced that it can disrupt the balance of power in the region. But what pilot would be crazy enough to run…

Book cover of Hatari! Danger!

Van Wangye Author Of Wildlife of the South China Sea

From my list on seeing the South China Sea beyond geopolitics.

Why am I passionate about this?

I was born in Singapore to a traditional Chinese medicine trade family in the early 80s, during a period when Singapore was still not a rich country nor a trading hub. As I became an adult, I had experience in the left wing of NGOs and charities and also the right wing in the government sector on cold strict laws controlling wildlife, wildlife management, the Ministry of Education in illustrating for educational materials, etc. I faced radical left environmental extremism before and also extreme right capitalists. This gives me a more well-balanced way of absorbing both left and right, to write my book in a more down-to-earth, neutral tone. 

Van's book list on seeing the South China Sea beyond geopolitics

Van Wangye Why Van loves this book

This book changed Van’s mindset on how a children's nature-themed book should look. It was so bluntly present in the crude, gory nature of the African savannah in its raw original state. Best educational books are presented unbuttered and raw.

It is an amazing educational book that shares and exposes the harsh realities the people in Masai Mara face on a daily basis. It’s a rare gem to see such a bluntly yet concisely written children's book placed on a shelf in an Asian bookstore or library.

This is one of the first children's books that gives faith in keeping the South China Sea. It is friendly yet blunt and concise, suitable for young readers.

By Jackson Liaram , Mary Bowman-Kruhm ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Hatari! Danger! as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Kenya’s Masai Mara game reserve is full of breathtaking animals—and danger. The authors share stories about the animals, the Maasai people, and the encounters that leave safari guide Jackson thinking “Hatari! Danger!” and wondering if each encounter will be his last.


Book cover of Water World

Van Wangye Author Of Wildlife of the South China Sea

From my list on seeing the South China Sea beyond geopolitics.

Why am I passionate about this?

I was born in Singapore to a traditional Chinese medicine trade family in the early 80s, during a period when Singapore was still not a rich country nor a trading hub. As I became an adult, I had experience in the left wing of NGOs and charities and also the right wing in the government sector on cold strict laws controlling wildlife, wildlife management, the Ministry of Education in illustrating for educational materials, etc. I faced radical left environmental extremism before and also extreme right capitalists. This gives me a more well-balanced way of absorbing both left and right, to write my book in a more down-to-earth, neutral tone. 

Van's book list on seeing the South China Sea beyond geopolitics

Van Wangye Why Van loves this book

This is a beautifully laid-out big book full of realistically painted marine creatures. In addition, the illustrations are similar to the author's (Van’s) style. This gave the author a beautiful blend of realistic paintings and shorter, simpler writing. This led to Van’s book layout on his text and pictures having a great influence on his book.

The book's writing style is short, simple, yet informative.

By Ben Rothery ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Water World as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

Water World is the stunning new book from Ben Rothery, author of Hidden Planet and Sensational Butterflies.

Life on Earth is shaped by water, and only survives here because of it, but our ocean ecosystems are at the epicentre of global warming. Framed by the need to protect our oceans, Water World is natural-history illustrator Ben Rothery's rich exploration of the creatures from the coastal and offshore waters of the world - from penguins, seagulls, polar bears and seahorses, to plankton, sharks and deep-sea beings.

Discover the longest migration and the loudest animal on Earth, and learn how our own…


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Book cover of Trusting Her Duke

Trusting Her Duke by Arietta Richmond,

A Duke with rigid opinions, a Lady whose beliefs conflict with his, a long disputed parcel of land, a conniving neighbour, a desperate collaboration, a failure of trust, a love found despite it all.

Alexander Cavendish, Duke of Ravensworth, returned from war to find that his father and brother had…

Book cover of Marine Food Fishes and Fisheries of Sabah

Van Wangye Author Of Wildlife of the South China Sea

From my list on seeing the South China Sea beyond geopolitics.

Why am I passionate about this?

I was born in Singapore to a traditional Chinese medicine trade family in the early 80s, during a period when Singapore was still not a rich country nor a trading hub. As I became an adult, I had experience in the left wing of NGOs and charities and also the right wing in the government sector on cold strict laws controlling wildlife, wildlife management, the Ministry of Education in illustrating for educational materials, etc. I faced radical left environmental extremism before and also extreme right capitalists. This gives me a more well-balanced way of absorbing both left and right, to write my book in a more down-to-earth, neutral tone. 

Van's book list on seeing the South China Sea beyond geopolitics

Van Wangye Why Van loves this book

This is a rare book that we won't get to see published nowadays. Van drew a lot of information about the food cultures, cuisine, and fisheries on the Sabah side of the South China Sea.

If read carefully, it also gives a glimpse into the Borneo side of the South China Sea and its neighboring region.

Book cover of Everything Under the Heavens: How the Past Helps Shape China's Push for Global Power

Burnaby Hawkes Author Of The Haze

From my list on understanding modern Asia.

Why am I passionate about this?

Hawkes (MD, BScN, MGA) is a novelist, YouTuber, and former analyst for the NATO Association of Canada. His writings have appeared in Heater, The Raven Chronicles, ArabLit, and many other magazines and publications. His recent espionage novel, The Haze, is set in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

Burnaby's book list on understanding modern Asia

Burnaby Hawkes Why Burnaby loves this book

Have you ever wondered what makes China “China”: why it is so confident about history, present, and foreseeable future? This book, written by competent NYT correspondent Howard W. French, sheds some light on the way Chinese leadership sees things from their own point of view. You will learn about the history of China, and how this relates to its flagrant ambitions for world domination. An invaluable unicorn in today’s book-publishing anti-intellectual crisis.

By Howard W. French ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Everything Under the Heavens as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A book of the year for The National.

An incisive investigation of China's ideological development as it becomes an ever more aggressive player in regional and global diplomacy.

For many years after Deng Xiaoping initiated the economic reforms that began in 1978 and led to its overtaking the USA as the world's economic powerhouse, China maintained an attitude of false modesty about its ambitions. That diffidence has now been set aside. China has asserted its place among the global heavyweights, revealing its plans for pan-Asian geopolitical dominance by building up its navy, fabricating new islands to support its territorial claims…


Book cover of China's Blue Economy: Evolution and Geostrategic Implications

James Borton Author Of Dispatches from the South China Sea: Navigating to Common Ground

From my list on dive deeply into the South China Sea territorial disputes.

Why am I passionate about this?

As a writer and waterman, I have traversed the waters of the Chesapeake Bay, setting crab pots and communing with fellow watermen who share a deep love for the estuary. I honor their livelihoods by responsibly harvesting blue crabs and oysters. My field notes have taken me beyond the Chesapeake, onto Hilton Head shrimping boats, onto the oyster beds in Bull's Bay in South Carolina, and into the contested South China Sea aboard Vietnamese fishing trawlers.

James' book list on dive deeply into the South China Sea territorial disputes

James Borton Why James loves this book

I recently finished reading this insightful book, which has helped me better understand the blue economy, how the US and China can both realize the potential of the ocean, and the geopolitical ramifications.

The competition between these two superpowers is deeply entrenched in ocean matters. Indeed, our planet is predominantly ocean, with more than two-thirds of its surface covered by the sea that serves as vital hubs for economic development, transportation, and resource extraction, as evident in the current race for seabed critical minerals and of course, seafood to feed the world population now approaching 9 billion. This book is an excellent textbook on the blue economy. 

By Kathleen A. Walsh ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked China's Blue Economy as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The United States and China are each actively pursuing development of a Blue Economy to promote greater marine, maritime, and naval capabilities through more innovative, sustainable and environmentally friendly means. This book examines China's approach to developing a Blue Economy, compares China's efforts to developments in the United States, analyses prospects for cooperation, and competition, and outlines strategic implications arising from China's linkage of the Blue Economy development concept to its Maritime Silk Road initiative. An understanding of the Blue Economy as it is being pursued in China and the Indo-Pacific region is extremely relevant for academics, industry professionals, and…


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Book cover of The Duke's Christmas Redemption

The Duke's Christmas Redemption by Arietta Richmond,

A Duke who has rejected love, a Lady who dreams of a love match, an arranged marriage, a house full of secrets, a most unneighborly neighbor, a plot to destroy reputations, an unexpected love that redeems it all.

Lady Charlotte Wyndham, given in an arranged marriage to a man she…

Book cover of Wild Food

Matthew and Julie Author Of Backyard Medicine: Harvest and Make Your Own Herbal Remedies

From my list on practical herbalism and foraging.

Why are we passionate about this?

As writers, we believe that if you have something wonderful to say it needs a beautiful book to say it in. In writing six books together, in the area of herbal medicine and foraging, we have been lucky to find publishers who share our beliefs. How it works is that Julie is our qualified herbalist and a photographer, layout, and typesetting specialist, while Matthew is a professional editor, writer, and compulsive compiler of bibliographies and indexes. Our USP is that we insist each plant deserves a recipe or two, and that we feature many forgotten wild plants from the old herbals that we love to bring back to life.

Matthew's book list on practical herbalism and foraging

Matthew and Julie Why Matthew loves this book

This book is our go-to reference for any new wild food plant and still our favourite food foraging book of all, even though it’s over 40 years old. It has the best photographs (often of the author’s amazingly set-up food shots), the biggest range of worldwide edible wild plant foods (including mushrooms and seaweed), and the most informed, comprehensive text.

It is the book all foragers aspire to have written and we are very grateful to Roger for having done it so well already!

By Roger Phillips , Jacqui Hurst (photographer) ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Wild Food as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.


Book cover of The Nature-Printer: A Tale of Industrial Espionage, Ferns and Roofing-Lead

Chris Thorogood Author Of Weird Plants

From my list on to immerse you in plants.

Why am I passionate about this?

My life has always been intertwined with plants. As a kid I would explore the old cemetery behind our back garden, where I would climb trees and swing from branches, pretending I was in the rainforest. I amassed quite a collection of natural history books too. I’d pore over them, memorise the names of the plants they contained, and copy the pictures, scribble them all down on paper; I think I always knew I would write and illustrate books myself one day. Today, as a botanist, I am fortunate to see beautiful plants in their natural habitats all around the world. I seek to capture the beauty I see in words. 

Chris' book list on to immerse you in plants

Chris Thorogood Why Chris loves this book

This little book is a thing of beauty and I just find it spell-binding. Talented artist and printmaker Pia Östlund describes how she makes a curious discovery: a set of prints in the library of Chelsea Physic Garden in London. This leads her to rediscover the lost technique of nature-printing, while her co-author Simon Prett explores the history of this little-known art. Little snippets about fern hunting and facsimiles of fern fronds and seaweeds make this irresistible – the kind of book I’d dip into on a lazy Saturday morning over coffee, then struggle to dip back out of!  

By Simon Prett , Pia Östlund ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Nature-Printer as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.


Book cover of My Penguin Osbert

Howard McWilliam Author Of Just SNOW Already!

From my list on illustrated stories packed full of snow.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve loved snow for as long as I can remember: a childhood enthusiasm which has not dimmed one bit in adulthood. When those flakes flutter silently from the sky I feel a thrill just like an eight-year-old getting the day off school, a feeling that I try to convey in Just Snow Already! I adore snow scenes depicted in art and children’s illustrations when that magic is transferred to the page… and unlike the real thing, you can enjoy it with a hot drink and warm toes. 

Howard's book list on illustrated stories packed full of snow

Howard McWilliam Why Howard loves this book

One reason I love snow so much is the way it muffles the world, making everything soft and fuzzy around the edges.

The essence of that feeling is distilled perfectly in Lewis’s beautifully-lit pastel and pencil illustrations, squeezing so much colour into every inch—even of “white” snow.

It’s a lovely story about a little boy taking responsibility for his action. I love a children’s book with a final illustration that undercuts the sentimentality of any preceding message, and this does that hilariously.  

By Elizabeth Cody Kimmel , H. B. Lewis (illustrator) ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked My Penguin Osbert as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

When Joe asks Santa for a real live penguin, he gets Osbert and a whole lot more than he bargained for - including creamed herring with seaweed jam for breakfast and cold baths!


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Book cover of Old Man Country

Old Man Country by Thomas R. Cole,

This book follows the journey of a writer in search of wisdom as he narrates encounters with 12 distinguished American men over 80, including Paul Volcker, the former head of the Federal Reserve, and Denton Cooley, the world’s most famous heart surgeon.

In these and other intimate conversations, the book…

Book cover of On Dangerous Ground: America's Century in the South China Sea

James Borton Author Of Dispatches from the South China Sea: Navigating to Common Ground

From my list on dive deeply into the South China Sea territorial disputes.

Why am I passionate about this?

As a writer and waterman, I have traversed the waters of the Chesapeake Bay, setting crab pots and communing with fellow watermen who share a deep love for the estuary. I honor their livelihoods by responsibly harvesting blue crabs and oysters. My field notes have taken me beyond the Chesapeake, onto Hilton Head shrimping boats, onto the oyster beds in Bull's Bay in South Carolina, and into the contested South China Sea aboard Vietnamese fishing trawlers.

James' book list on dive deeply into the South China Sea territorial disputes

James Borton Why James loves this book

In this book, Gregory B. Poling delves into the intricate and perilous maritime conflicts across the globe, particularly in the South China Sea, to assess US interests.

I like that his analysis spans over a century of American engagement in the region, spotlighting the convergence of these disputes with the enduring US advocacy for freedom of navigation and its evolving Asian alliance network. This sweeping historical narrative informs readers why this ocean matters to all Americans.

By Gregory B. Poling ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked On Dangerous Ground as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.


Book cover of Dispatches from the South China Sea: Navigating to Common Ground
Book cover of Hatari! Danger!
Book cover of Water World

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Interested in the South China Sea, China, and geopolitics?

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