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Leviathan, Or The Whale (2009)

by Philip Hoare(Favorite Author)

3.89 of 5 Votes: 5

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

Fourth Estate

review 1: This is the best book about whales I have ever read (count: 1). I only wish two things: 1. that I had the paperback, not the text-only ebook version, and could gaze upon all the pictures of lovely whales, and 2. that it had been more about whales, and less about whaling.The whaling stuff was great, just hard. As a visceral and exploratory industry which intersected uncomfortably with the slave trade, it evokes many uneasy truthes concerning man's ambitions and violence and reckless destruction. It was very upsetting to read. All I was looking for was whale fact fun! "WHALE FACT: the world's whales consume the same weight in sea life as the fishing industry!" that kind of thing. (that is true, btw. I know, right?!) But now I'm stuck thinking about environmental decline and ... morehumanity's will to power. :(((
review 2: Tells the story of the unknowable Leviathans who are older than we can visualise and more vulnerable than we might have believed. The unremitting tragedy of whaling and its intrinsic connection to the shape of the 'civilised' world. Whales are cursed with usefulness, but they're barely making it back from slaughter. It might already be too late for many. With excerpts from Melville, and a dreamlike focus, this is full of personal, vivid insights that will inspire and break your heart. less

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