Science, mythology, and conservation ethics are interwoven in this captivating and highly personal travelogue. It recounts how Jack Rudloe's lifelong fascination with sea turtles led him to journey to Central America and Malaysia to investigate the theory that magnetic forces help guide sea turtles in their migration, and to explore the Turtle Mother legend that shaped the attitudes of other, more primitive cultures. These ancient myths fostered a deep respect for sea turtles that helped to assure their sustainable harvest, in contrast with the ruinous practices of today.