Book excerpt: This is the single most historically valuable book ever written on the subject of Pacific Coast shark attacks. Through bone-chilling accounts in victims' own words, never before published photographs, and detailed maps and charts of attack locations, this book accurately chronicles every known unprovoked shark attack that occurred along the Pacific Coast of North America during the entire Twentieth Century. The author's examination of wound characteristics, recurring locations, and the curious phenomenon of attacks on inanimate objects afford astonishing insights into why sharks attack. These insights form the foundation for his safety recommendations to specific ocean user groups. Based on 40 years' of research, this book willl be of inestimable value to scientists, researchers and educators, as well as anyone that might venture into the waters off the Pacific Coast. The understanding gained from this book will temper fears with knowledge and provide the reader with clear and specific information that may easily make the difference between life and death.