Shark expert Mark Carwardine tells the story of the shark from their early beginnings to their struggle for survival today. He describes their origins and ancestors, introduces the diversity of sharks, marvels at their perfectly designed bodies, explains how they reproduce, investigates their reputation as the ultimate killing machines and finds out how these little-known animals are being studied. He even reveals how and where to jump into the sea for a real-life close encounter with a wild shark. Carwardine also describes the urgently needed conservation measures being implemented in some parts of the world and makes an impassioned plea for shark conservation.