February 2, 2026 Book Review Breakfast: "Below the Edge of Darkness" by Dr. Edith Widder

Dr. Edith Widder, Senior Scientist with ORCA, will review the book she wrote, Below the Edge of Darkness

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from Dr. Edith Widder—world-renowned deep-sea explorer, bioluminescence expert, and CEO and Senior Scientist of the Ocean Research & Conservation Association (ORCA), which she co-founded in 2005. Based in Vero Beach, ORCA uses cutting-edge, applied science to identify pollution problems and help restore the health of Florida’s Indian River Lagoon.

Dr. Widder is also the author of Below the Edge of Darkness, a memoir hailed by The New York Times Book Review as “a thrilling blend of hard science and high adventure.” With her remarkable combination of scientific expertise and captivating storytelling, Dr. Widder will illuminate the wonders of the deep sea—and the urgent need to protect our coastal waters.

Below the Edge of Darkness takes readers deep into our planet’s oceans as Widder pursues her questions about one of the most important and widely used forms of communication in nature. In the process, she reveals hidden worlds and a dazzling menagerie of behaviors and animals, from microbes to leviathans, many never before seen or, like the legendary giant squid, never before filmed in their deep-sea lairs. Alongside Widder, we experience life-and-death equipment malfunctions and witness breakthroughs in technology and understanding, all set against a growing awareness of the deteriorating health of our largest and least understood ecosystem. 

All Book Review Breakfasts begin at 9:30am in the Richardson Center of Indian River State College, 6155 College Lane, Vero Beach.

Book Review Breakfasts are free and open to the public. You are encouraged to bring new or gently used children’s books to stock the Little Free Libraries that we support.