Voices in the Ocean
A Journey into the Wild and Haunting World of Dolphins
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4.0 • 77 Ratings
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- $14.99
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Inspired by a profound experience swimming with wild dolphins off the coast of Maui, the bestselling author of The Wave set out on a quest to learn everything she could about dolphins—the other intelligent life on the planet.
“Part science, part memoir, part impassioned plea for change.” —People
Susan Casey’s journey takes her from a community in Hawaii known as “Dolphinville,” where the animals are seen as the key to spiritual enlightenment, to the dark side of the human-cetacean relationship at marine parks and dolphin-hunting grounds in Japan and the Solomon Islands, to the island of Crete, where the Minoan civilization lived in harmony with dolphins, providing a millennia-old example of a more enlightened coexistence with the natural world.
Along the way, Casey recounts the history of dolphin research and introduces us to the leading marine scientists and activists who have made it their life’s work to increase humans’ understanding and appreciation of the wonder of dolphins.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
After a chance encounter with a pod of wild spinner dolphins while swimming in Honolua Bay, Casey (The Wave) finds herself unable to shake dolphins from her mind. She embarks an investigation into the world of dolphins, impressing the reader with her curiosity and thrilling sense of discovery as she travels the world to learn about these unique creatures. She describes early research into the brain science of dolphins, a highly intelligent species, beginning with Dr. John Lilly in the early 1950s, and traces the origins of dolphin captivity and showcasing, which date back to the circus showman P.T. Barnum in 1861. She also explores the cultural significance of dolphins in different cultures, such as the members of the Chumash nation, California's earliest inhabitants, who considered dolphins to be their direct relatives. But the most compelling aspect of the book is Casey's investigation of the current plight of dolphins faced with captivity; the now infamous dolphin hunt in Taiji, Japan; and the seriously ruined state of the world's oceans, for example and the people working to effect change to protect and save them. Casey's book comes as a welcome addition on a topic also explored in the recent documentaries The Cove and Blackfish.
Customer Reviews
Awakening , Touching, Sad, Hopeful
Unbelievably well researched and meticulously written with a likable easy journalist style.
As a lifelong surfer, free-diver, scuba-diver and ocean lover I thought I knew something about cetaceans. I did not but now thanks to Susan my knowledge and awareness has been elevated and interest piqued. The Dolphins need our help and I’ll be recommending this book far and wide.
Fascinating book, well rounded and very absorbing
I really enjoyed this book! I felt the author did a great job covering all aspects of dolphin lore, from ancient cultures to new age gurus to impassioned activists, without getting too deep into any one of them. It's obvious she is a lover of the species, but the book is grounded in science. In fact, interviews with scientists who've experimented with dolphins and the ex-trainers who abandoned their trade were some of my favorite parts of the book. The book is fascinating, heartbreaking, and overall very illuminating. The book is well written and easy to read. Totally worth your time!
Voices in the Ocean
Not worth the price to read re-hashed stories of Dolphins with little new and/or credible information.