Of Orcas and Men: What Killer Whales Can Teach Us 1st Edition

by David Neiwert (Author)

38 customer reviews

ISBN-13: 978-1468308655

ISBN-10: 9781468308655

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The orca―otherwise known as the killer whale―is one of earth’s most intelligent animals. Remarkably sophisticated, orcas have languages and cultures and even long-term memories, and their capacity for echolocation is nothing short of a sixth sense. They are also benign and gentle, which makes the story of the captive-orca industry―and the endangerment of their population in Puget Sound―that much more damning. In Of Orcas and Men, a marvelously compelling mix of cultural history, environmental reporting, and scientific research, David Neiwert explores an extraordinary species and its occasionally fraught relationship with human beings. Beginning with their role in myth and contemporary popular culture, Neiwert shows how killer whales came to capture our imaginations, and brings to life the often catastrophic environmental consequences of that appeal. In the tradition of Barry Lopez’s classic Of Wolves and Men, David Neiwert’s book is a triumph of reporting, observation, and research, and a powerful tribute to one of the animal kingdom’s most remarkable members.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Human beings need to learn from and understand the cooperative nature of orca society. Everyone who is interested in both animal and human behavior should read this remarkable book.”
- Temple Grandin, New York Times bestselling author of Animals in Translation and Animals Make Us Human

“One of the most comprehensive works to date for anyone who has become enthralled by this magnificent animal.”
- Gabriela Cowperthwaite, Director of Blackfish

“Humans and killer whales have a long and complicated history, one that David Neiwert describes forcefully and eloquently in this fascinating and highly readable book.”
- David Kirby, New York Times bestselling author of Death at SeaWorld

“A wide-ranging, interesting book that should be required reading for school-aged environmentalists.”
- Kirkus

“A triumph of far-ranging research and vivid storytelling. Eloquent, astute, and compassionate.”
- Brenda Peterson, author of Build Me an Ark: A Life With Animals

“Many of the stories are incredible and heartwarming, other shocking. This book is a great read for any nature lover.”
- Jeffrey Ventre, Blackfish cast member

“[A] breathtaking survey of orca science, folklore, and mystery.”
- The Stranger

“David Neiwert is no scientist. But his latest book is full of the stuff, as the US journalist runs through the history of our relationship with orcas, and the light being shed on the behavior and rich culture of these magnetic but mysterious mammals. He talks to conservationists, captains, researchers and observers, and combines their reports with his own inspirational encounters with the wild whales of the Pacific Northwest . . . The overall tone is celebratory, tinged with the hope that a growing appreciation for the species will improve our connection with nature.”
- BBC Wildlife

About the Author

David Neiwert is an investigative journalist based in Seattle. He is the author of many books, including And Hell Followed With Her: Crossing the Dark Side of the American Border and Strawberry Days: How Internment Destroyed a Japanese American Community. His reportage for MSNBC.com on domestic terrorism won the National Press Club Award for Distinguished Online Journalism in 2000. He is also a contributing writer for the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Harry N. Abrams; 1 edition (June 16, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9781468308655
ISBN-13: 978-1468308655
ASIN: 1468308653
Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 1.2 x 9.4 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 38 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #961,110 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #605 in Marine Life
- #943 in Biology of Mammals
- #3059 in Environmentalism

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Amazon Customer

Like many of you

April 27, 2016

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Like many of you, I once took my family to Victoria and the San Juan Islands where we were able to travel by Zodiac boats to watch the "killer whales" as they moved through the water. And, like many of you, I've seen the eye opening movie "Blackfish" and cheered as parks like Sea World were finally "persuaded" to treat Orcas more humanely.

Just finished an amazing book which takes our education of Orcas, their plight, their connection to our world, and even their qualifications for "person-hood" to the next level. It starts out great and gets better with each page. Fascinating, educational, and tremendously thought provoking is how I would describe it.

6 people found this helpful

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K. Anderson

Great book, amazing delivery.

June 4, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I just received this in the mail about 20 hours after I placed my order. Amazing, particularly because I live in Duluth, MN, somewhat off the beaten Amazon path. After a couple of chapters it appears to be the book on orcas I was looking for. Personal but filled with science and history, it's an excellent nature read. I've had the opportunity to see wild orcas and it was a memorable experience I hope to repeat. This book is helping me see why that event had such an impact on me.

2 people found this helpful

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Amazon customer

Great book for the Orca obsessed!!

May 10, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

A lot of valuable information about orcas and humanity and things in between. I have read lots of books about Orcas and this one is a must for anyone interested in the history, stories, or current scientific findings about these amazing marine mammals.

4 people found this helpful

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Michael J. Spitale

A must read for animal lovers

November 16, 2015

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

I have waited for years for a well thought out book on Orcas and their culture. Neiwert finally gave us what was needed. He gives a robust history and understanding of Orca culture. He also makes it obvious what is best for Orca, but is never preachy. One of the best books I have read in years.

2 people found this helpful

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Marisa Munoz

Was the perfect gift!

January 14, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I bought this as a gift for my 30 year old brother-in-law who is obsessed with Orcas. He loves the book and began reading it Christmas Day when he opened his gift. He has told me on numerous occasions that it was his favorite gift. Who knew!!

One person found this helpful

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Frank L. UrbanoTop Contributor: Star Trek

A Magnificent, and Unique, Look at the Plight of the Killer Whale

August 24, 2015

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

'Of Orcas and Men' is a beautiful book which details the relationship between the beautiful killer whale and humanity. It does this through the lens of culture, history, religion, anthropology, and science, and because of that balanced approach, this is a wonderful book. I cannot say enough about how good it is.

There have been a great deal of books about the plight of killer whales, including "Death at Seaworld" and "Beneath the Surface", and there has been a great documentary, "Blackfish". What this book does is takes much of what was covered in the other books and film and combines it with other materials to make for an enjoyable story. Some have accused the other books about killer whales of being 'preachy', because their main focus is to eliminate the captivity of killer whales (a noble, but difficult position to take). This book does that, but to a much lesser degree. It doesn't have to prove its point like the other books, because its commentary promoting improvement of the lives of killer whales is entwined with other things to make the book more balanced.

One of the more striking things in the book is when the author discusses the anthropomorphism of the whales, whereby he actually questions if they are persons. He lists the characteristics of persons and the whales seem to fit those criteria, and he makes a good argument in favor of this point. He also discusses some of the behavioral characteristics of the whales and how they differ from humans. He says:

"While we are at it, it is worth comparing human culture to orca culture, because the contrast is deeply revealing. 'The most striking aspect of orca culture, to me, is the sheer absence of internal strife and the predominance of cooperation,' says Howard Garrett.

'Then, one of the few universal behaviors that they have is that they do not harm humans. They are unique among apex predators this way. So it's clear that even though they are capable of extreme forms of aggression - just ask their prey - the prevailing ethos of their cultures keeps them from harming each other and from harming other life forms they choose not to eat. It's actually a remarkable display of discipline and intelligence'

'And to note that humans could learn from that is probably an understatement.'

These comments underscore the way in which this author views our relationship with orcas. And because of this, after you read this book, you may find yourself scratching your head and thinking about this in a way you never have before.

This is a remarkable book which anyone interested in orcas must read.

2 people found this helpful

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Robert M

Discover an incredibly smart animal

April 8, 2019

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I very much enjoyed this book, well researched and clearly biased in favor of these fascinating animals. The author gives voice to its many specialist followers, with plenty of insight into the scientific studies trying to understand orcas. I will never call them "killer whales" again

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Adelia M Boyar

It's great to see all the updated information on our endangered ...

October 29, 2015

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

It's great to see all the updated information on our endangered whales we have in Puget Sound. The facts are all up to date through 2015. Mr. Neiwart did a wonderful job of collecting all aspects of these Orcas lives and compiled the information in an easy-to-agree with narrative.

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Of Orcas and Men: What Killer Whales Can Teach Us 1st Edition

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