True Tails

Winner of 6 National Book Awards, J. H. Soeder’s autobiographical book, True Tails,reveals the never-before-told story of how he discovered at age two that he could “hear” the thoughts of birds and animals—from tiny insects all the way up to the largest creatures living on earth today, the majestic whales—and “speak” back to them with his mind. The book details his coming to terms with his ability and his adventures in doing so, as well as other childhood challenges and triumphs. Its “tails” describe the miracle that is life in all its forms, as the animals clearly sentient behavior in response to him is witnessed by others. Through his book, we gain a better understanding of what animals think and feel—about themselves, about life, and even about us. J.H. Soeder doesn’t call himself a “whisperer,” but simply a friend of those who inhabit the animal kingdom. He feels they deserve our admiration and protection.