Detail:  This book represents good biology, well-founded systematics, accessible bio-geography, geological history of corals that can be treaced back over five hundred million years, and one of the finest collections of pictures of corals to be found anywhere. Hailed as the single most important reference on reef corals, this book is useful in describing corals in all areas of Oceania and Southeast Asia

With the help of Australia's best underwater photographers the author reveals the fascination of the coral worl, from the microscopic detail of individual coral polyps to the grandeur of vast reefs - the largest structures built by living creatures.

This book received the Australian National Awards Whitley Medal for Best Natural History Book of 1988.