Focusing on the intersection of literature and marine biology, the author shares his lifelong exploration of the sea and its mysteries. Through personal anecdotes, he delves into the fractured melodies of life, seeking a mythical realm where reason meets revelation. This reflective journey intertwines scientific inquiry with literary insight, offering a unique perspective on the natural world and the human experience.
“Spotte has an eye for ironic detail, couched in vigorous, pragmatic prose. In him, Hemmingway meets Kafka.”—Bruce R. Powers, co-author (with Marshall McLuhan) of The Global VillageThe 19 stories in marine scientist Stephen Spotte's latest collection penetrate the stormy, watery depth of the human psyche, blending elements of make-believe with sharp, systematic observations and insights into the twisted manifestations of life, love, and death. The tales skip across genres at breakneck speed, mixing humor and pathos with fantasy, sometimes in settings that juxtapose gritty reality with magical realism. Throughout, Spotte scrapes aside the thin patina of everyday existence, offering a glimpse into the strange abyssal world of his imagination.
In a medieval French courtroom, a rat, a pig, and a werewolf are put on trial for crimes against humanity. Inspired by actual trial records
When a Marine fireteam searches an isolated Vietnamese village believed to be a supply depot for the Viet Cong an IED explodes, leaving only one survivor of the five-man unit. But who is he: Bunny, Hillbilly, Poke, Injun, or "the LT"? Because he is horribly burned, disfigured, and unable to speak, the military doctors don't know, but the people back home in a coal mining camp in southern West Virginia think they know. Most unsettling of all the survivor himself isn't certain who he is. Spanning the landscape from Vietnam's war-torn jungles to hardscrabble Appalachia, In An Empty Room is a gripping examination of time, memory, consciousness, and selfhood and suggests unanticipated conclusions about the nature of human identity
A stand-alone sequel to Animal Rights, Witchy Illusions recounts the trial of Mademoiselle Ambrosine, a girl of fifteen accused of witchcraft in France in autumn 1515. Her lawyer is Barthélemy de Chassenée, a historical figure who became famous when in 1508 he defended the rats accused of eating the people's grain stored at Autun's granary and growing in nearby fields of the département of Saône-et-Loire.?As in its predecessor, justice in the new novel plays out erratically, and nothing is ever clear. The proceeding turns increasingly opaque, the issues becoming more convoluted and muddled by legal precedent, arguments about God's will, mankind's place in nature, and whether demons defecate and have erections. These and similar heavy metaphysical issues puzzle and invigorate everyone, the court and spectators alike. Suffice to say that Institoris might have met his match in Mademoiselle Ambrosine. She's a comely, kick-ass witch who won't be put to the stake easily, although you'll need to read the novel to learn how the trial turns out.
Stephen Spotte's imaginative novel recounts the tales of a scroungy former alley cat named Jinx, whose memories aren't just his own but those of other cats who existed before him, one of which was Annipe, Cleopatra's pampered pet. Through Annipe's eyes the ancient Mediterranean world of Cleopatra and her legendary lovers, Caesar and Antony, is spread before us in all its glory, pathos, and absurdity. Jinx reveals these stories telepathically one night to his stoned and inebriated owner just home after gall surgery. Annipe's memories are bookended by Jinx's own that detail his early scavenging days in bleak urban alleys.
The book explores public aquariums and zoological parks through the lens of semiotics and Baudrillard's simulation theories, arguing that modernist zoos are the only viable forms in a postmodern context. It suggests that these institutions have become anachronistic, as they struggle to adapt and compete with modern entertainment, reducing captive animal displays to mere passive spectacles for viewers. The analysis highlights the cultural implications of how society engages with these representations of wildlife.
Focusing on behavioral ecology, this comprehensive assessment explores the societies of gray wolves and free-ranging dogs. It delves into their social structures, interactions, and ecological roles, providing a detailed examination of their behaviors in natural settings. The work highlights the similarities and differences between these two canid species, offering insights into their evolutionary adaptations and the impact of environmental factors on their social dynamics.
Focusing on the life of Georg Wilhelm Steller, this book explores the adventures of an 18th-century polymath and explorer who became the first European naturalist to set foot in Alaska. It delves into his contributions to natural history and his encounters with the diverse ecosystems and indigenous cultures of the region, highlighting his significant impact on the understanding of Alaska's natural world.