Amphibious Soul : Finding the Wild in a Tame World

Summary: A passionate love story about nature that inspires readers to reclaim their inner wildness—from the naturalist, filmmaker, creator, and star of the Oscar-winning documentary, My Octopus Teacher.“Craig Foster’s powerful yet tender voice enchants in this meditation on what lies beneath, unexplored and unseen—both under the ocean’s surface, and within our own human nature. A wondrous, entertaining, and thought-provoking read.”—Shelby Van Pelt, New York Times bestselling author of Remarkably Bright Creatures“An important book that will transform how we think about being human. . . . It will inspire hope.”—Jane Goodall , PhD, DBE How can we reclaim the soul-deepening wildness that grounds us and energizes us when so much of the modern world seems designed to tame us?In this thrilling memoir of a life spent exploring the most incredible places on Earth—from the Great African Seaforest to the crocodile lairs of the Okavango Delta—Craig Foster reveals how we can attend to the earthly beauty around us and deepen our love for all living things, whether we make our homes in the country, the city, or anywhere in between.Foster explores his struggles to remain present to life when a disconnection from nature and the demands of his professional duties begin to deaden his senses. When catastrophe strikes close to home, his own reliance on nature’s rejuvenating spiritual power is put to the test.Foster’s lyrical, riveting Amphibious Soul draws on his decades of daily ocean dives, wisdom from Indigenous teachers, and leading-edge science. AN INSTANT MODERN CLASSIC ON DEVELOPING A PERSONAL ECOLOGY: Amphibious Soul is a beautifully written meditation on creating a personal relationship with the wild. It is for everyone, especially readers of acclaimed books such as Braiding Sweetgrass, An Immense World, H Is for Hawk, and Why We Swim.RENOWNED AUTHOR WITH AN EXTENSIVE NETWORK: Craig Foster is a celebrated naturalist and award-winning documentary filmmaker and photographer with an extensive network, including influential figures such as James Cameron, Jane Goodall, and Yo-Yo Ma, who have already endorsed the book. He won an Oscar for his documentary, My Octopus Teacher.A ONE-OF-A-KIND, HOPEFUL LOVE STORY FOR OUR TIME: Foster offers readers a new kind of love story: a deep adoration for the natural world that parallels his affection for those who share his passion for keeping wild wisdom alive, including our wild ancestors, and his many wise teachers, human and animal alike.PROFOUND AUDIO EXPERIENCE: The audio edition is narrated by Craig, whose voice readers will recognize as the iconic, calming, meditative voiceover of My Octopus Teacher. The audiobook of Amphibious Soul is the winner of the 2024 AudioFile Magazine Earphones AwardRICHLY INTERACTIVE: The book includes a beautiful full-color tracking journal which gives readers access to a stunning series of 27 short films highlighting the most spectacular moments from the book.CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED: Amphibious Soul was an indie bestseller, received a starred review from Booklist, and was named a Must Read Book by the Next Big Idea Club in May 2024. The book received additional positive coverage in Publishers Weekly, The Los Angeles Times, NPR, and The Wall Street Journal. The audiobook earned the AudioFile Magazine Earphones Award.REAL WORLD IMPACT: The success of the hardcover edition of Amphibious Soul has led to new growth and opportunities for Foster's Sea Change Project, a nonprofit whose advocacy for our seaforests is influencing public opinion and global policy alike. Inspired by an editorial Foster wrote for The New York Times to promote the book, a representative from Deloitte's sustainability team invited Foster to speak to hundreds of global business leaders alongside Jane Goodall during UN Climate Week. This launched Sea Change's ongoing Mother Nature in the Boardroom campaign, promoting biodiversity policy in economic ventures, which has since spread to over 30 countries and reached an audience of ten million to date.Quotes:“Amphibious Soul is the story of finding wildness in a world gone tame, and feeling the hearts of animals beating inside our own. …This book will guide you to find your own wild heart wherever you might live.” -James Cameron“Candid, transporting, and philosophical, Foster pays tribute to his teachers animal and human and discerns lessons within his adventures harrowing and ecstatic. We must be amphibious, he tells us, and learn how to live in harmony and reciprocity with the wild.” -Booklist (starred review)"Amphibious Soul will change the way you see the ocean, and your relationship to it. His scientific eye and wild mind are truly revelatory. A much-needed book that just might help us save the planet." -Suzanne Simard, New York Times Bestselling Author of Finding the Mother Tree“As wondrous as a sunbeam illuminating the ocean, as moving as gazing into a shark’s primordial eye, as urgent as a breaking wave: Amphibious Soul is an invigorating dive into the waters of pure wild spirit. Craig Foster has written a magnificent book that imparts deep truths.” -Susan Casey, New York Times bestselling author of The Underworld: Journeys to the Depths of the Ocean“With haunting prose, Foster inspires thoughts about where we fit as humans within systems that have taken four and a half billion years to shape rocks and water into a vibrant planet. ... Foster succeeds as a master storyteller, artist, and filmmaker but his greatest contribution may be his approach to life.” -Sylvia Earle, National Geographic Explorer, Founder of Mission Blue, Ocean Elder, Former NOAA Chief ScientistTop Travel Book Pick -National Geographic“the author’s deep reverence for nature….. and the evocative descriptions of his expeditions will transport readers. This is a potent source of wonder.” -Publishers Weekly“The creator of the acclaimed My Octopus Teacher documentary celebrates the merits of getting out into the real world….. A lucid invitation to build ‘spider threads of connection and love’ with nature.” -Kirkus Reviews“A reminder of our responsibility to one another and to the natural world" -Yo-Yo Ma, Cellist"The ocean could not ask for a better advocate than Craig Foster. This transformative story is the kind that inspires us towards insight, warmth and deep care for humanity and the planet we share. Amusing, thrilling, and revelatory." -Kathy Sullivan, Former NASA Astronaut, OceanographerAuthor Bio: Craig Foster is one of the world’s leading natural history filmmakers and co-founder of the Sea Change Project. He won the Academy Award for Best Documentary for My Octopus Teacher, and has created over 100 films and documentaries in addition to his photography. He lives in South Africa.