Following the announcement of its imminent release back in the news section of issue 97, I was thrilled to receive a copy of this exciting new book by Tony Vargas just a few days ago. While the full review is under construction and will be for a future date, as the lucky owner of the first copy into the UK, I immediately wanted to share a particularly poignant comment made in the introduction of the book by none other than Jake Adams, sadly for whom this was one of his final written pieces. In the piece Jake states, “There’s so much conflicting information it can be challenging for the uninitiated to know where to begin forming a foundational understanding of reef keeping, but this is where a good book can help. They might be an endangered form of media, but throughout history, books have always served as a more carefully considered references for the material they cover”.
As a publication that still strives to bring high quality printed material to hobbyists, it was heartening to read Jake’s acknowledgement of the pivotal role that non-digital media can still play, especially as it comes from a person who rose to fame on a predominantly digital platform. To those that would claim printed media has “had its day”, I would echo Jake’s comment here and furthermore actively warn aspiring reef keepers more than ever to be discerning when it comes to choosing their information sources. While some can be fantastic, sadly many online sources present information that is increasingly commercially driven, and in more serious cases is based on such tenuous experience that it can be dangerously misleading. As Jake concludes, publications such as The Coral Reef Aquarium Volume II offer you the “trusted guide” that you need, as I hope does UltraMarine magazine.
By John Clipperton (Owner/Editor, UltraMarine Magazine)
