Conservationist Julia Whitty has a new book out this week about her travels beneath the surface in French Polynesia. The Fragile Edge: Diving and Other Adventures in the South Pacific chronicles the author’s dives in the waters off Rangiroa, Tuvalu, and Mo’orea. The environmentalist shares scientific insight and personal perspective about sea life and the magnificent coral reefs. She also includes colorful stories about the people she encounters during her dive expeditions, creating a tale that weaves between the human and natural worlds.
Whitty writes for The Blue Marble Blog at Mother Jones and wrote the May/June cover story as well. She has also written for Harper’s and produced documentaries about the oceans for PBS, National Geographic and the Discovery Channel, among others. She previously wrote A Tortoise for the Queen of Tonga, which was a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway Award. She’ll be appearing this evening at Olsson’s Arlington/Courthouse location in Virginia.