Unfathomable: 20 Wild (but True) Stories About the Ocean
Random House Children's Books · Hardcover · February 17, 2026
Wrestle an octopus, swim through a sunken city, and discover 20 incredible-but-true stories from our unbelievable—and unpredictable—oceans.
We earn from qualifying purchases.
- Who it’s for
- True ocean tales pair strange events with science and history.
- Themes
- Ocean discoveries, Survival at sea, Marine life
- Genres
- Oceans, Lakes & Water, Wonder & Curiosities, Marine Life
Nearest books
Matched by what the books are about, then ordered by what their readers also loved. Most of these share its genre: Marine Life.
An Anthology of Aquatic LifeSam Hume63% matchAlso shares Oceans, Lakes & Water
Deep in the OceanLucie Brunellière63% matchAlso shares Oceans, Lakes & Water
The Last Unexplored Place on Earth: Investigating the Ocean Floor With Alvin the SubmersibleAly Brown62% matchAlso shares Oceans, Lakes & Water
The Escape ArtistThor Hanson60% match
The Ultimate Shark Field GuideThomas Nelson, Julius Csotonyi59% match
OceanariumLoveday Trinick59% matchAlso shares Oceans, Lakes & Water
Who Would Win?: Underwater BattlesJerry Pallotta58% match
The Ultimate Book of SharksBrian Skerry57% match
For older readers: The World Beneath, Kraken, Secrets of the Octopus
Start with three books, and this one can be the first.
Members get a new edition every morning: a route out from their books to essays, research and talks, with the reason for each.
Start with this bookAbout this book
Wrestle an octopus, swim through a sunken city, and discover 20 incredible-but-true stories from our unbelievable—and unpredictable—oceans. From acclaimed nonfiction writer Mary Boone comes an illustrated look at the fascinating stories that take place under (and above) the sea. Did you know you can survive being swallowed by a whale? Or that octopus wrestling used to not just be a pastime but also an actual sport?
Continue reading
Or, that once a town in Oregon didn't know what to do with a whale carcass that washed up on their beaches, so they...BLEW IT UP? As strange as it sounds, those stories are 100% true. And the sea holds more secrets. Grab your snorkel and dive into 20 incredible-but-true tales of survival at sea, sunken treasures hiding under the ocean's surface, jellyfish that live forever, and so much more. From accomplished nonfiction author Mary Boone comes an illustrated look at the unfathomable tales our oceans have to tell. Each chapter contains one story, with interview quotes and hands-on research that uncovers the science and history behind the event. You’ll get facts AND more! A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
Ocean Stories, Explained
True ocean tales pair strange events with science and history.
Come here for
- True stories of survival at sea
- Sunken treasures beneath the ocean’s surface
Expect
- One story per chapter, with interview quotes
- Science and history behind each event
Where it sits
| Marine Life | 66% |
|---|---|
| Oceans, Lakes & Water | 51% |
| Wonder & Curiosities | 44% |
Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.
Publisher categories
- Marine Life
- Oceans, Lakes & Water
- Ecosystems & Environment
- Authors
- Mary Boone
- Publisher
- Random House Children's Books
- Published
- February 17, 2026
- Format
- Hardcover
- Theme
- Ocean discoveries · Survival at sea · Marine life
- Reading lane
- Marine Life