Quickstudy for Biology Book

Castro's Marine biology is a lovely introductory book on the subject. Biology is a descriptive science, and this book is equally descriptive - although it's a textbook, it flows smoothly as a novel. It's liberally peppered with illustrations and photos, which makes for a great reading experience. I'm no biologist, but for reading and learning from this book, one doesn't have to be. An interest in the workings of the deep blue ocean is enough.