The Whale: In Search Of The Giants Of The Sea (2010) - Plot & Excerpts
This is a tough read for animal lovers. The relentless decimation of the world's whale populations is hard to comprehend. This book is an encyclopedia of whale history, lore, science, natural history and love for our largest and possibly oldest animals. I highly recommend it to everyone. It's painful to learn how many whale species have been driven to the edge of extinction. The whale's number one enemy: corporate greed. Fun fact: Aristotle Onassis owned and operated whaling fleets, and ultimately sold them to the Japanese when decimated populations made his venture unprofitable.This book is structured around a Herman Melville's "Moby Dick" - a book I've yet to read but will pick up some day. I read all types of books. Never have I been as drawn into a book as I have with The Whale. Hoare's narrative is so beautiful. It's historical, yet so very personal. His descriptive passages and storytelling are as sweet and tragic as they are vivid and expressive.He's a beautiful writer, and whales are a monolithic subject to approach, but he does it so well.He basically writes about whales through his experience and appreciation of them, and discusses history, literature and science in an incredibly beautiful way. I can't use the word "beautiful" enough. I really can't. Hoare was born to write. I don't doubt it. It's very clearly a work of love.The best book I've read in ages.
What do You think about The Whale: In Search Of The Giants Of The Sea (2010)?
I loved it. I plan on reading it again. So much here, poetically written.
—CrissD
Fantastic! Inspired me to re-read Moby Dick.
—Bertha_2000
