The Whale Rider

Book Description

Eight-year-old Kahu, a member of the Maori tribe of Whangara, New Zealand, fights to prove her love, her leadership, and her destiny. Her people claim descent from Kahutia Te Rangi, the legendary "whale rider." In every generation since Kahutia, a male heir has inherited the title of chief. But now there is no male heir, and the aging chief is desperate to find a successor. Kahu is his only great-grandchild--and Maori tradition has no use for a girl. But when hundreds of whales beach themselves and threaten the future of the Maori tribe, it is Kahu who saves the tribe when she reveals that she has the whale rider's ancient gift of communicating with whales.
Now available in simultaneous hardcover and paperback editions.
Feature film in theaters in June 2003!

Customer Reviews:

brilliant, beautiful, powerful folk tale of girl power.......2007-05-05

I love this movie, so I decided to read the book. As with any book on which a brilliant and well-executed film is based, it's a challenge for the reader to fall in love with the original story. The film was very faithful, and so it wasn't difficult to love this novel as well. But there are some deficiencies. First of all, the characters seem more real and dimensional in the film than the book. This is especially true of the heroine, who seems a mystical and distant child in the book, but comes off more real through Keisha Castle-Hughes' portrayal. Second, the film is much more realistic, only slightly testing the boundaries of reality and disbelief. The book is much more fantastic, though it contains more insight into the tribe's culture. And yet, the book is utterly powerful, honestly moving, and incredibly beautiful. It's a brilliant modern folk tale of a Maori tribe threatened by the modern world to hold onto its traditions. The chief (Koro) rejects his great-granddaughter Kahu who has broken the male line of succession. Koro tries desperately to maintain his tribe, reinforce the old traditions, and keep their connection with their totem animal, the whale on which their ancestor traveled to their lands. Meanwhile, Kahu desperately seeks her great-grandfather's love, not to mention acceptance. It slowly becomes obvious that Kahu--despite her gender and great-grandfather's rejection--is deeply connected to the whales and the sea (which is actually a taboo for a female to engage in), and is the salvation of her tribe. Obviously, fate and destiny care not for gender and traditions, as this girl is apparently destined for great things. It's an incredible story of family, destiny, strength, girl power, expectations, traditions, and culture. Grade: A

Has its problems, but still works........2006-08-24

Witi Ihimaera, Whale Rider (Harcourt, 1987)

This relatively obscure little book exploded after being adapted into an award-winning film. The book still hasn't gotten as popular as the movie, though, and that's something of a crime against nature. I have not yet seen the movie-- I wanted to read the book first (and will likely see the movie next week)-- but I know how the whole book-to-movie thing usually goes. And it's usually a crime against nature when the book doesn't get popular even after the movie's a big hit, so I'm playing the odds on that one.

As for the book itself, it's quite a good little tale, full of a young adult kind of magic realism that's likely to make the reader, if he hasn't already, consider the link between magic realism, the literary cliché du jour, and folktales. Ihimaera gives us the Whale Rider creation myth while telling us the story of a Maori chieftain who refuses to see that his granddaughter Kuha is developing into the new chieftain before his eyes because of his traditional beliefs that a male must take the position. (Despite, we find out, the fact that women have held the position in the past. Hard-headed old sod, eh?) We spend much of our time just learning about the characters, with Ihimaera throwing in some interesting perspectives at times; for example, narrator Rawiri, Kuha's uncle, leaves New Zealand for two years to run a coffee plantation in Papua New Guinea (and this allows for some rather odd humor, as well as a blistering excoriation of modern racism in the region), and we find out about Kuha's development only through letters and phone calls for a while. Yet it is rare that Ihimaera takes his focus off Kuha for more than a paragraph or two at a time.

A lovely tale, well worth your time, whether you've seen the movie or not. *** ½

The film is certainly better.......2006-05-31

Like most people, I bought the book after watching the film... in fact it took me ages to find the book because here in Spain it was called "the legend of the whales". Anyway, I thought the film was very moving and since when I'm obsessed with a movie I buy also the book, I did.

The first thing that surprised me was that the girl is not called Pai, but Kahu, and second, that it was told from the uncle's perspective rather than the girl. I though it wouldn't be good because on the film the uncle is a rather minor character... and in fact, it isn't.

I found the story dull and had to make myself keep reading. The only good thing I can say is that at least it explained a lot of the myth of Paikea, which in the movie wasn't explained that much. Other than that, there wasn't anything to keep me hokked to the book.

Niki Caro is a great scriptwriter because she made a fantastic film from this rather forgettable book.

Excellent coming of age story.......2005-11-20

This is an excellent coming of age story for a young girl, or boy! Readers will find delightful lore and learn something of New Zealand. The movie wasn't a disappointment, though I'm glad I read the book first.
Chrissy K. McVay
author of 'Souls of the North Wind'

Lyrical...........2005-09-21

Simple without being simplistic, here's a magical tale of destiny and love. Essential reading for those who have become world-weary and cynical from the constant battering of our scientific-material world.

Average customer rating:

Fascinating Read
Whales: Touching the Mystery
Whales:Touching the Mystery
A pitch perfect book and DVD -- powerful and moving

Whales: Touching the Mystery
Doug Thompson
Manufacturer: NewSage Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0939165554

Book Description

Ever since his first contact with a gray whale as a teenager, Doug Thompson has had a passion for this majestic marine mammal. Here, he shares stories of whales he has met over his 30-year career, in particular the "friendly" Gray whales of San Ignacio Lagoon in Baja, Mexico. He describes the thrill of interacting with these gentle giants who seek out human contact within their birthing lagoons.Weaving his own and others' fascinating personal accounts with factual information he describes the hidden lives of whales, their mysterious migrations, and the modern threats they face in the world's waters. He also chronicles the efforts of human champions who are working to end whale hunting and promote whale watching - a far preferable economic alternative -worldwide. Ideal for seasoned whale watchers and the general-interest reader, this appealing package includes photos and maps as well as a first-rate companion DVD.

Customer Reviews:

Fascinating Read.......2007-02-27

This book really shines a light on a world so few of us see. Doug Thompson has written one of the definitive books on whales, their history and their future. His personal connection to whales and the way he introduces us to the people and places that are so crucial to their survival takes you on a journey filled with the passion of someone who deeply cares for these amazing sea creatures. The DVD that is included adds a visual element that brings the pages of the book to life. It's also great to hear the author narrate the DVD and get a greater sense of his commitment to these smart engaging animals. Whales: Touching the Mystery is an enjoyable read and one that you'll recommend to all your friends.

Whales: Touching the Mystery.......2007-02-05

What a wonderful book! I send a huge and heart-felt thank you to the author, Doug Thompson, for being such an excellent spokesperson for the friendly Grey Whales of our ocean...for writing such an important book...and at a time when their very existence is beginning to be threatened again.

Each year we watch, from our coastal town in Oregon, as these magnificent creatures make their yearly journey to and from Baja. It is a journey that we look forward to each year as they make their way down the coastline and back again.
I have had the opportunity of looking into the eyes of some of these whales and I must say, I have been changed. And now, even more so, after reading this excellent book.

It is my hope that everyone will have the chance to read this book and to learn from it. It truly needs to be in the hands of every conservationist.
'Touching the Mystery' is a thoughtful and beautiful book that not only educates folks about the wonder of these intelligent creatures and the importance of protecting them, but also about the lives of those that live near them...the keepers of the lagoons and stewards of the land and sea.

This book comes with a 30 minute DVD offering incredible footage of these Whales. Doug's many years as a film maker certainly are apparent in this documentary. It is absolutely stunning!

I am about to order several more copies (after having already purchased an armload)
Thank you again Mr. Thompson!!! You are a hero!

Whales:Touching the Mystery.......2007-01-09

Whales: Touching the Mystery entrances the reader. Complete with a DVD showing incredible footage of humans interacting with whales and whales enjoying thier ocean journeys. The book explores Gray Whales teaching us the beauty of their life and the impact of their journeys from Alaska to Baja Mexico on humans and the viabilty of ocean life. This book is for whale lovers, nature adventurous and the curious. The author tells the story of the current effords of humans to preserve the birthing lagoons of the whales, as well as the impact on the indigious folks of the area. Historical information combined with current conservation by the Mexican goverment creates an intrique of circumstances and give hopes to the future. Reading this book will have you heading towards Baja to sea for yourself and to experience the joy of our whale ancestors. READ it and Buy it for a friend or your local library.

A pitch perfect book and DVD -- powerful and moving .......2006-11-16

I can't claim to be deeply familiar with the current literature about whales (my library boasts at most two or three books on the subject) but if you're looking for the one book that conveys the majesty and wonder of these incredible creatures, one that engages both the mind and the heart in ways both powerful and moving, this book and accompanying DVD is it. Mariner, naturalist and filmmaker Thompson has been leading whale watching expeditions to Baja California for 30 years--he may have been the first one to do so-- and he does an admirable job of distilling the knowledge, wisdom and deep insights gained from three decades of whale interaction into a narrative that is at once accessible, informative and fascinating.

While much has been reported about the profound, even life-changing, impact that touching a whale has on those who have had the experience, Thompson deftly steers clear of being preachy or New Age-y, leaving the spiritual experience for the reader to feel implicitly through his descriptions and the DVD. In fact, he has multiple objectives: enthrall, entice, educate, honor the stewards of the San Ignacio Lagoon, lobby, give the rich ideas for helping (and politicians reasons for voting), and gain new friends of the whale world-wide. He achieves all of these goals without losing any of his audiences. His brief history of whale hunting is especially powerful.

My wife Susan and I watched the 30 minute companion DVD. Like the book, it's pitch perfect and wonderfully complementary. We've both been fortunate to get close to whales in waters off Northern California, but Thompson's images of whale encounters in the San Ignacio Lagoon are nothing short of astonishing, truly powerful and moving. This is a beautifully produced video, with a quality worthy of network broadcast. Little wonder that Thompson and this book and DVD have garnered the respect and imprimatur of no less an icon than primatologist Jane Goodall. Like Goodall, Thompson is making an impact. Highest recommendation.
John Grissim, author of The Lost Treasure of the Concepcion and Pure Stoke

Fluke: Or, I Know Why the Winged Whale Sings

Average customer rating:

What a weird strange trip
Laugh and learn about sea mammals
3 1/2 stars would be more accurate
Fluke
great

Fluke: Or, I Know Why the Winged Whale Sings
Christopher Moore
Manufacturer: William Morrow & Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Comic | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0380978415
Release Date: 2003-06-03

Amazon.com

In his entertaining adventure-in-whale-researching, Fluke, or, I Know Why the Winged Whale Sings, Nathan Quinn, a prominent marine biologist, has been conducting studies in Hawaii for years trying to unravel the secret of why humpback whales sing. During a typical day of data gathering, Nate believes his mind is failing: the subject whale has "Bite Me" scrawled across its tail. Events become even stranger as the self-proclaimed "action nerds," Nate, photographer Clay, their research assistant Amy, and Kona, a white Rasta (a Jewish kid from New Jersey), encounter sabotage to their data and equipment. They also observe increasingly bizarre whale behavior, including a phone call from the whale to their wealthy sponsor to ask that Nate bring it a hot pastrami and Swiss on rye, and discover both a thriving underwater city and the secret to what happened to Amelia Earhart.

Thoughtful, irreverent, and often hilarious, Moore has crafted a tale that contains a bit of the saga of declining whale populations due to hunting and habitat destruction, as well as his over-the-top, decadent wit as applied to scientific methodology and professional jealousies. Moore notes a pasty, rival scientist "looked like Death out for his after-dinner stroll before a busy night of e-mailing heart attacks and tumors to a few million lucky winners," and that killer whales (which are all named Kevin), are "just four tons of doofus dressed up like a police car." Smart, sincere, and a whale of a story, Fluke is terrific. --Michael Ferch

Book Description

After reverently lambasting the most cherished rites and credos of virtually every one of the world's major religions in his transcendently hilarious novel Lamb, the one and only Christopher Moore returns with a wild look at interspecies communication, adventure on the high seas, and an eons-old mystery.

Marine behavioral biologist Nate Quinn is in love -- with the salt air and sun-drenched waters off Maui ... and especially with the majestic ocean-dwelling behemoths that have been bleeping and hooting their haunting music for more than twenty million years. But just why do the humpback whales sing? That's the question that has Nate and his crew poking, charting, recording, and photographing any large marine mammal that crosses their path. Until the extraordinary day when a whale lifts its tail into the air to display a cryptic message spelled out in foot-high letters: Bite me.

No one on Nate's team has ever seen such a thing; not his longtime partner, photographer Clay Demodocus, not their saucy young research assistant, Amy. Not even spliff-puffing white-boy Rastaman, Kona (the former Preston Applebaum of New Jersey), could boast such a sighting in one of his dope-induced hallucinations. And when a roll of film returns from the lab missing the crucial tail shot -- and their research facility is summarily trashed -- Nate realizes that something very fishy indeed is going on.

This, apparently, is big, involving dangerously interested other parties -- competitive researchers, the cutthroat tourist industry, perhaps even the military. The weirdness only gets weirder when a call comes in from Nate's big-bucks benefactor saying that a whale has made contact -- by phone. And it's asking for a hot pastrami and Swiss on rye. Suddenly the answer to the question that has daunted and driven Nate throughout his adult life is within his reach. But it's waiting for him in the form of an amazing adventure beneath the waves, 623 feet down, somewhere off the coast of Chile. And it's not what anyone would think.

It must be said: Christopher Moore's Fluke is a whale of a novel.

Download Description

Just why do humpback whales sing? That's the question that has marine behavioral biologist Nate Quinn and his crew poking, charting, recording, and photographing very big, wet, gray marine mammals. Until the extraordinary day when a whale lifts its tail into the air to display a cryptic message spelled out in foot-high letters: Bite me.

Trouble is, Nate's beginning to wonder if he hasn't spent just a little too much time in the sun. 'Cause no one else on his team saw a thing -- not his longtime partner, Clay Demodocus; not their saucy young research assistant; not even the spliff-puffing white-boy Rastaman Kona (né Preston Applebaum). But later, when a roll of film returns from the lab missing the crucial tail shot -- and his research facility is trashed -- Nate realizes something very fishy indeed is going on.

By turns witty, irreverent, fascinating, puzzling, and surprising, Fluke is Christopher Moore at his outrageous best.

Customer Reviews:

What a weird strange trip.......2007-08-01

I've only recently discovered the writings of Christopher Moore, but I'm now on a quest to read all of his books, and I can't tell you why. They are all uniquely quirky and funny. Each of his novels is a fairly quick read with a love story, a mystery, and some sort of paranormal element thrown in for good measure.

His style of writing makes his books so easy to digest. You don't have to think, just giggle.

I started out by reading "LAMB" and actually 'learned' some religous history. I found his account fascinating and exciting. It led me to want to read more of his writings, and I've been glad that I have.

Fluke is a great book, but its premise starts to get a little strange. If I want to start thinking about my impact on the planet, I stick to "ISHMAEL".

I recommend Christopher Moore as an author and this book as a second or third book of his to pick-up. To get a flavor for his work, start out with "YOU SUCK - A LOVE STORY" and then either this or "LAMB".

Laugh and learn about sea mammals.......2007-07-28

Christopher Moore cracks me up.
His absurd humor is addicting.
Get the audio book and you can laugh while driving.

3 1/2 stars would be more accurate.......2007-05-30

For anyone looking for a break from the mundane, cliche novels that are out there, then Christopher Moore will certainly fit the bill; and Fluke is no exception. The story is of a whale biologist and his eventful (and unbelievable) research in Hawaii. Of course, Moore's insane and inane plot devolves from there.

Although this book delivered a few laughs, I did not find it nearly as funny as "A Dirty Job" (although Moore's comments on "advanced poop-chute technology" should not be missed).

The plot overall is as crazy and unexpected as you would expect from Moore, but seems to drag a little toward the end. Also, I was not terribly happy with the resolution of everything.

The characters are very likeable, but do not seem to do much growing over the course of the novel.

Fluke is worth checking out if you are a fan of Moore's, or if you have some free time on your hands, but you may be better off getting it at the library.

Fluke.......2007-04-12

My husband and I listened to this on vacation in San Diego. We spent alot of time on the freeways. Fluke kept us laughing and entertained the whole time!

great.......2007-03-31

I liked this book so much I've now read several more of his. This one is still the best so far. Clever, fun, fast paced, unpredictable! I recommend it highly.

Souls in the Sea: Dolphins, Whales, and Human Destiny

Average customer rating:

A meta-story for us all, beyond the world of dolphins and whales
Not a sound source...
Herman Melville would love this book
Soulful and Intense
Rock your world ... with breaking waves

Souls in the Sea: Dolphins, Whales, and Human Destiny
Scott Taylor
Manufacturer: Frog, Ltd.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Mental Health | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

Mammals | Field Guides | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1583940715
Release Date: 2003-02-21

Book Description

Austrailian Scott Taylor has devoted his life to studying dolphins and whales. In this poetic cetology compendium, he shows how the history, mythology, and scientific research surrounding these creatures is an index to what our future as a species can be. The author discusses the portrayal of dolphins and whales in literature, legend, and the Judeo-Christian heritage, the research of biologist John Lilly on interspecies communication, the military's sinister use of dolphins, and the benefits of dolphin-assisted swimming therapy for disabled children and adults.Taylor looks at the world from the perspective of these creatures, demonstrating how they connect humanity to the natural world. Color and black and white photos and illustrations add to this celebration of the biology, history, and mystique of dolphins and whales.

Customer Reviews:

A meta-story for us all, beyond the world of dolphins and whales.......2007-07-29

I would like to recommend the amazing book, "Souls in the Sea", as an excellent resource, especially for anyone wanting to look beyond the standard fare. This is a book that has set new standards for multi-dimensional research. It is an example of what we need in so much of our study, ie, meta-research into many fields, disciplines, and experiences that can add up to a much more well-rounded view. In this case, the world of dolphins and whales is brought into an entirely new light, one that opens our eyes to the interdependent system of life in which we are all embedded.

The author has given us insight into biology, history, many forms of science, mythology, economics, social systems, religions, as well as contemporary work in the healing arts, where dolphins are being used in therapy. The areas this book covers is amazing, yet it is readable, funny in parts (the four elements!), and inspiring.

The amount of research is astonishing. As a reader of books about dolphins and whales, I have collected many. I recognise some of Taylor's references, but have been delighted to find so many that add to my understanding.

This book is classified under nature and psychology. A curious combination...
The reason, I believe, is because it delves into our own human mindset, our way of seeing the world, our sense of history, human importance, our relationship to the natural world, and as a result of this, our destiny.
I note that none of the other reviewers have commented on the third part of the title, Human Destiny. This is one of the reasons why I recommend this book so highly, to friends and other researchers: it takes us beyond our normal view of ourselves, it goes deep into the relationship we have with nature and ourselves, and offers a way of seeing ourselves that can only help us.

Taylor gives us both science and myth, facts and personal feelings. He shares a rare glimpse into a personal story, one that seems almost painful to him, as he discovers a dramatic change in his views, stimulated by an encounter with a dolphin. This story, both believable and revealing, takes us into a much deeper area. We have to, as readers, explore our own feelings, pre-judgements, and assumptions about what we think we understand about dolphins and our relations with them. Taylor has given us all a gift.

Read this book. Read it carefully. Listen to what it brings up, and consider how you see the world. Maybe those "Souls in the Sea" do have something important to share with you.

A very grateful reader....

Not a sound source..........2005-04-28

Scott Taylor writes a book full of anecdotal stories to support his own beliefs of dolphin behavior, cognition, and physiology.
I thoroughly enjoyed his recounting of dolphin mythology and legend along with some of the personal experiences others have had with dolphins.
As far as his his other claims, however, I am quite disappointed. He attempts to back up some of his theories of dolphin intelligence with factual information, but leaves out significant details that would otherwise disprove his theory. Oftentimes he draws wild conclusions that don't quite make sense, with a tendancy to compare two completely unrelated things. Many of the facts he lays out to support certain claims are far from accurate. Also, he tends to include only information that supports his beliefs, while ignoring parts of a text that make his claims appear more insignificant.
For example, he cites Karen Pryor's studies into dolphins demonstrating creativity, saying dolphins and humans are the only ones who can do this sort of behavior. He has, in fact, ignored her other story in the same book about successfully performing the exact same experiment with chickens.
Another example is his claim that dolphins (and other cetaceans) are the only other animals other than humans to mate face to face. Off the top of my head, I know that cuttlefish and seahorses do the same. I'm sure there are other members of the animal kingdom to mate this way.
If you're looking for a feel good book about dolphins, this is for you. If you're looking for a text based in fact, this one misses the mark by far.

Herman Melville would love this book.......2003-10-17

I place Scott Taylor's "Soul in the Water" next to Moby Dick on my Cetacean book shelf. He has done a vast amount of research and followed some of the tantalyzing loose ends surrounding Cetacean studies. This book dares to go "deeper" (no pun intended) than other books on this subject. For those of you who have stared into the deep and made contact with whales and dolphins and felt the great mystery ....this book is for you.

Yours truly,
Allan Armstrong
Senior Editor of Scholarisland

Soulful and Intense.......2003-05-18

This is a wonderful and much-needed piece of work. At last The Legend of the Golden Dolphin has broken free of the oral tradition and found a good home in this elegantly researched and beautifully written book. Although, of necessity brief, it is nothing more than an alternative history of the world--life seen as a complex braiding through time of cetacea and humanity--the ultimate goal, the fullfillment of our mutual destiny. Firmly titling the book, 'Souls in the Sea', makes sure the reader knows the author's viewpoint is both wide-ranging and spiritual in outlook. According dolphins and whales high intelligence is the first step in understanding that these ocean-going mammals, our genetic cousins (we are, as the book points out, genetically closer to cetaceans than we are to the higher primates) also have lives of the Spirit. Grasping this is a far cry from loving dolphins because they are cute (although for some it's a good start) and demands that we radically review our whole approach to the other species. This book will open eyes, blow minds, reassure some and antagonize others. Thousands of years of cultural conditioning, of implicit species domination, needs be dispensed with in the far deeper realization that we share this planet with other intelligent sentient beings with spiritual realities of their own. Time is short...Will the willing sacrifice of cetacea finally awaken old OGO The Fox to our species true responsibilities? Hold to your center and open your heart.

Rock your world ... with breaking waves.......2003-05-15

Brilliant. A rollicking, sometimes breathless combination of mythology and science. Though it may take a bit of squinting effort now and then to bring your brain around this whole new way of thinking, its worth the effort. Indeed, Taylor will crack your mind wide open ... and the possibilites will flood right in, like a rising tide. Anyone who's experienced a profound awakening at the side of a dolphin will find some explanations here, and anyone wishing to take a new look at human history will appreciate Taylor's bravery in tackling such a panorama. Anyone want to start a chat board on this one? Bet we could get Taylor to join in ...

Average customer rating:

I loved it!
This book is truly amazing!
Interesting
A Great Book About Whales
Isabel of the Whales Sails

Isabel of the Whales
Hester Velmans
Manufacturer: Yearling
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0440420253
Release Date: 2006-07-11

Book Description

Eleven-year-old Isabel is a “plain old” girl living in Provincetown, Massachusetts, who believes that she is destined to accomplish something special. When her fifth-grade class goes on a whale-watch field trip, something amazing happens: Dozens of different species of whales surround the boat, bumping the deck and sending Isabel flying into the ocean. Isabel is shocked to hear the whales speaking to her—she is a mermaid, they tell her, a “Chosen One” who has the ability to turn from a human into a whale and back again. She is destined to live among the whales long enough to learn their ways, and teach them about the human world.

Living among her pod is fun, at first, but Isabel has an important mission. She will change the whales’ future forever, and learn a lot about herself in the process.

From the Hardcover edition.

Customer Reviews:

I loved it!.......2007-09-12

This book was amazing. I read it with my seven year old daughter. We both couldn't wait to read some more the next night. My daughter learned a ton about whales and the writing was fabulous. Wonderful, imaginative, creative book. I hope she writes some more.

This book is truly amazing!.......2007-03-26

This book is just wonderful. Packed with romance, adventure and tragedy, you won't want to put this book down. The story gets more exciting with every sentence you read. A surprise is packed inside every page. This is honestly one of the best books I've ever read. You should DEFINETLY get your copy today!

Interesting.......2006-07-20

It's quite sad, interesting, and part non-fiction information. It makes me want to read it all over again. But Isabel will soon regret her first words about the ocean. She will surely miss the ocean and her whale family much.

A Great Book About Whales.......2006-04-24

In this book a girl named Isabel went on a whale watch with her class. She fell overboard and turned into a whale! The whales told Isabel that she was The Chosen One. There were other Chosen Ones before her. The humpback whales went to another part of the ocean which they call Home. A storm hits on the way there. The humpback whales call themselves Sirens. A humpback whale (or as they call themselves Sirens) named Onijonah had a baby whale, otherwise known as a calf. On the way back Isabel manages to stop a whaling ship.

When you turn into another animal you sometimes appreciate what you have more than you used to. Isabel had that experience and appreciated everything more.

This book is exiting. I couldn't wait to see what would happen next. If you want to read an exhilarating book about whales I recommend Isabel of the Whales!

Isabel of the Whales Sails.......2005-08-02

For someone who knows very little about all the different species of whales and their habitat, this book is a "must read". With time to relax and read, I highly recommend Isabel of the Whales for a great and intriguing summer read. Once you begin the book, it is hard to put down. Isabel is a girl that many young teen girls will look up to and admire. As an older reader, I found this book interesting, exciting, sad and joyful. Hester Velmanns has done an outstanding job in educating the public about a population of whales that many know very little about.

The Beluga Café: My Strange Adventures with Art, Music, and Whales in the Far North

Average customer rating:

Who are we to say
a wonderful story

The Beluga Café: My Strange Adventures with Art, Music, and Whales in the Far North
Jim Nollman
Manufacturer: Sierra Club Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

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The Man Who Talks to Whales: The Art of Interspecies Communication

ASIN: 1578050871

Book Description

Animal communication expert Jim Nollman has sung with orcas, plucked a Jew's harp in waters teeming with humpback whales, and shaken rattles in the company of bottlenose dolphins. Now, in this heartfelt and quirky true adventure story, Nollman and two artist friends set out for Canada's vast Mackenzie Delta, electric guitar and underwater sound equipment in tow, to make music with belugas--the elusive white whales of the Arctic.
Traveling the expanses of this beautiful northern land, the three friends unwittingly find themselves at the center of a heated controversy over the Beaufort Sea belugas: Why have the whales stopped coming into the Mackenzie Delta, possibly jeopardizing their own calves, who live the first part of their lives in these shallow, warm waters? As they attempt to unravel the mystery, they encounter various intriguing characters now laying claim to the resources of the Mackenzie Delta region--Native people (who are allowed to hunt the whales), wildlife officials, and oil company engineers--all vividly described by Nollman. Along the way, he also conveys both the wonders and the realities of being deep in the wilderness--experiencing the connectedness of all living things while scratching the bites of the world's most fearsome mosquitos.
With its rich and passionate nature writing evoking lovely and remote landscapes, The Beluga Café suggests profound metaphors for our time about animal rights and animal intelligence, the role of science in conservation, the politics of extinction, and the place of art in the epic struggle to save the natural world.

Customer Reviews:

Who are we to say.......2005-07-06

This is a very powerful book. It is not the typical wilderness adventure book. Unlike the TV nature show, amazing things don't happen every few mintutes. In fact few amazing things happen at all, yet the whole experience of small wilderness experiences add up to a book that will take you to another place.

"It seems critical to me to devote some part of each year to this nothingness, this time without time, this confrontation with animal demons real and imagined, learning once again how to surrender to some internal environment made external."

Nollman confronts the question of us versus them strongly in this book with the us being modern society and them being animals, nature and native cultures. He feels the chance has been lost to learn from "them" in a way that everyone would benefit, instead of disregarding that knowledge and destroying it.

Chapter 15 begins with a wonderful quote by Carl Safina from Song for the Blue Ocean. "Ecosystems are now like history books with many of the pages ripped out. And when people come along there is no way for them to know what was on those torn-out pages. Their values are not constructed around the abundance that once filled those holes. They accept the blank parts as though they've always been there."

Nollman pulls no punches in what he experiences on this trip including describing the constant difficult and loving give and take among the three soujourners.

This is a strong book and well worth the time to read it.

a wonderful story.......2005-03-30

This is a quite wonderful story.... a music of words.... ebbing and flowing between near-surreal and ultra-surreal with only a few intrusions of pure didactic rationalism. Buy it and read it.

The Man Who Talks to Whales: the Art of Interspecies Communication

Average customer rating:

An Interesting Tidbit about Talking With a Raven.
A singularly fascinating read!

The Man Who Talks to Whales: the Art of Interspecies Communication
Jim Nollman
Manufacturer: Sentient Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Medicine | Subjects | Books

General | Reference | Medicine | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0971078629

Book Description

This book is a dramatic true account of close encounters with the wild animals of our planet and the surprising events that unfold when one man talks to the animals and stops to listen to their response.

Customer Reviews:

An Interesting Tidbit about Talking With a Raven........2005-09-11

This environmental activist and music composer had one of his essays on nature writing included in THE GIFT OF BIRDS. Not only does he talk and communicate with whales, he also had a relationship with a 'touchy' raven in Northern Canada at the Arctic Circle. Together they took a hike over the Delta plain of the MacKenzie River, the raven leading half the time and serving as a sentinel at his tent in camp.

One of my favorite writers, Poe, felt far more vindictive about his own raven which he considered as a symbol of Death, going back to the Middle Ages where ravens were companions to witches, like the bird which counseled the evil queen in 'Snow White.' The Catholic Church maligned the raven because this midnight-black scavenger has a keen intellect. But talking to one out in the middle of nowhere?

Ravens possess a great variety of calls like parrots, mynahs, and mockingbirds. They are mechanical, like Whitt, the engineers of the avian world. Their calls correlate so closely with social behavior that it could be the rudiments of their own type of language. This underfed one purred like a housecat from a parallel universe down in the baritone range, at half the speed of a normal contented housecat like Star. They had a cat and mouse game on a treasure hunt for walrus ivory one thousand years old. I do believe Mr. Nollman has a good imagination.

First, they made eye contact which was difficult as birds have eyes on each side of the head and humans on a flat plane. He moved his head in concentric bird-like ways, cocking his long beaked face in differing positions. His long, intimidating scimitar beak which was three inches long and black as coal, started making sounds: croaking, squawking and cooing in a whispery, soothing tone. Together they made music with Jim using a Japanese Jew's harp (my dad called it a French harp) -- really a harmonica in syncopated four-four time.

"Immanuel Kent wrote that the human hand is the most visible aspect of the human sensibility." He's right, some hands are more slender and sensitive; in 'The Last Supper' the culprit who turned Christ in at the Garden where he prayed, was pictured as having one female hand.

According to raven protocol, there will be no touching. Human touch is taboo, the kiss of death among wild animals, and showed disrespect' thus, causing a rift. Like E. A. Poe's 'The Raven,' he squawks "nevermore" in Raven language, then forgave the indecent affront and continued to be the human's 'sentinel,' with his black silhouette stooped in a submissive pose. "Both of us striving to cultivate the novel 'camaraderie' that binds us to a middle ground of our own invention." Their relationship was elevated to a new level; "Let bygones be bygones."

Generic man is the meanest-spirited and most dangerous species in all of creation, a personification of evil. Some used birds for target practice. Sometimes a raven makes like a rooster escaped from the coop, sometimes considered a trickster, a comedian of birds. They were the first shamen, a true grodigy among animals. He claims that they had a good talk about the meaning of life, and the raven had written a sentence in his journal! Now, what could a raven write but "Nevermore'?!

Jim Nollman has also written SPIRITUAL ECOLOGY, THE BLEUGA CAFE, DOLPHIN DREAMTIME, ANIMAL DREAMING and THE CHARGED BORDER: WHERE WHALES AND HUMANS MEET. This essay is as good as any Brothers Grimm fairy tale, and as believable. What about ravens?

A singularly fascinating read!.......2002-03-29

The Man Who Talks To Whales: The Art Of Interspecies Communication is the revised and updated edition of "Dolphin Dreamtime," a serious, meaningful, and true account of wild animals and a man who "talks" to them and carefully takes in their responses. Author Jim Nollman is a charter member of the Participants School of zoology, and has gotten physically and emotionally close to grey whales, buffaloes, dolphins, and much more in his search for direct communication between human and animal. A thoughtful book about dialogues and reaching out to better understand who we share this world with, The Man Who Talks To Whales is a singularly fascinating read especially recommended for all who have tried to see and understand the world from an animal's point of view.

Communicating with Orcas - The Whales' Perspective

Average customer rating:

Telling it like it is!
Time to suspend judgement
Makes for fascinating reading.
Communicating With Orcas - The Whales Perspective
Can you believe?

Communicating with Orcas - The Whales' Perspective
Mary J. Getten
Manufacturer: Trafford Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Psychology & Counseling | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

ESP | Occult | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 1553698347

Book Description

In the universe of whales, orcas are definitely stars. Beautiful, graceful, friendly, awesome in their size, strength and intellect, they amaze everyone who sees them. Yet with all the fame, the study and the interest, orcas remain fundamentally mysterious. What if you could ask them what you would most like to know and have them answer you directly?

You can, and they did.

Communicating with Orcas - The Whales' Perspective is the true story of an amazing journey into the unknown world of orcas by two curious and dedicated women. Written by a respected whale naturalist and professional animal communicator, Mary J. Getten, takes the reader on a voyage with her and a colleague. Together they use their telepathic skills and communication abilities to interview wild and captive orcas including Granny, a 90 year old whale the scientists call J2.

This is a book like no other. It is a captivating story of an encounter between two open-minded, seeking women with a wise elder who calls them her daughters, even when she is describing the horrendous whale captures of the 60's and 70's. It explores the many mysteries of orca life, providing some answers and suggesting many areas for future research. It is a moving description of a close family group, where all members travel, work, eat, play and even sleep as a family. Most of all, it takes you inside their world allowing you to see things from their perspective and to understand another way of life - the orca way.

Customer Reviews:

Telling it like it is!.......2007-06-27

The book came within 5 days Yeah!!! It was in perfect condition. This is a great read!

Time to suspend judgement.......2006-11-01

This is well worth the read if only to gain information about the pods of Orcas that are resident around the San Juan Islands. But well beyond that, whether or not one accepts the author's ability to communicate with the orcas, what she relates about the wisdom of whales (primarily Granny, the 90+year old leader of J pod) is a wake-up call for humanity.

Makes for fascinating reading........2006-10-15

Whale naturalist and animal communicator Mary Getten goes beyond what other research has achieved in the way of whale study and communication processes: in 1991 she studied the J-Pod, a family of whales off Washington State. Her contention that they use direct telepathic communication between themselves and can do so with humans also makes for fascinating reading.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Communicating With Orcas - The Whales Perspective.......2006-09-08

I found this book amazing. I'm from Michigan and we "Michiganders" tend to think about lakes not oceans. This book opened my eyes to a new way of thinking about the world. It also made me start to think about the oceans creatures in more than just a "far away" way. If you do believe in animal communiation you will find this book to be a wonderfully different type of perspective. If you think animal communication is a "bunch of nonsense" this book may seem really strange to you, but it also makes you start to think "What if the whales do think, What if other animals think, what would they think of us and our running, running rather than enjoying and loving life" I highly recommend this book to all!!

Can you believe?.......2006-08-06

This book contains some 25 chapters of a woman and a female Orca communicating telepathically. It changed my entire perspective on animal intelligence, and opened me to greater human possibilities that I had been denying but now know are possible.
So dont listen to the nay-sayers. Pick up this book and decide for yourself what you really think about this phenomenon.
George Denniston MD

Dancing on Water: Adventures With Dolphins, Whales & Interspecies Communication

Average customer rating:

A feminine heroes journey
Journey into The Deep Feminine

Dancing on Water: Adventures With Dolphins, Whales & Interspecies Communication
Karin Kinsey
Manufacturer: Dolphin Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

Spiritual | Self-Help | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Learning Their Language: Intuitive Communication with Animals and Nature

ASIN: 0976928205

Book Description

DANCING ON WATER is a compilation of personal stories, chronicling one woman's quest for understanding and self-discovery. It is about how the answers to some of life's more mysterious questions are sometimes revealed in small and surprising places. In particular, the stories are about dolphins, whales, and other animal companions who participate in her journey. Out of the blue, dolphins "visit" in meditation, and then continue to appear, in amazingly synchronistic ways in her life. Over time they become interspecies "teachers" of humor and relationship, reminding us of our deep and inextricable interconnectivity to all other living things. Teaching by example, our cetacean friends invite us to stay in joy, to be in present time and to practice forgiveness. The author explores the areas of animal communication, telepathy and psychic awareness and offers the reader clues as to how to develop these skills. Ultimately, we are continuously being asked to act as stewards for the betterment of our planet and a miraculous variety of creatures, both great and small. A combination of lyrical narrative and subtle symbolism make this an engaging and delightful read.

Customer Reviews:

A feminine heroes journey.......2006-07-30

Is these years so distant from Lewis and Clark and even Neil Armstrong, where is the frontier to which one can go on a Campbell-like heroes journey? Kinsey offers a very feminine and peaceful answer to this question. To walk on water was, it is said, a miracle. To dance on water, on the other hand, seems to be an expression of the joy of dolphins...

Kinsey, a working artist, shares with readers the saga of her journey. It is neither to Washington nor the moon. Instead, it is arguably to a more distant place of species awareness and personal transcendence (the likes of which Kesey did not find "On the Road"). Kinsey's journey is one in which cats, dolphins, and orcas are mentors and the person who goes out the explorer (Kinsey), returns a changed person - and a contractable guide / tour leader for future explorers.

Thoughtful, joyful, and personal, I recommend Kinsey's book to all who suspect, but have not experienced, that there is much more to life than work, television, or (even) family.

Pete Livingston, Ph.D.

Journey into The Deep Feminine.......2006-04-11

The author of "Dancing on Water" takes you on a journey into the?essential wisdom of the deep feminine.? Through her own personal?stories she sheds light on some of the fundamental questions of?existence as well as emphasizing the importance of the human-dolphin?connection.? In a concise, elegant and heartfelt expos? she reveals?to us their mysterious and illuminating nature while reminding us of the?magic, liberation and special bond we can have with these evolved creatures.

Smarter than man?: Intelligence in whales, dolphins, and humans,

Average customer rating:

Smarter than man?: Intelligence in whales, dolphins, and humans,
Karl Erik Fichtelius
Manufacturer: Pantheon Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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