Product Description
By the authors of the New York Times bestseller Whale Done!

Bring out the best in your kids!

"How is it they can get a killer whale to urinate on cue, and we can't get our son to pee into the toilet?" Amy Sheldrake, young mother and killer whale trainer-in-training, marvels at the complex behaviors her superiors at SeaWorld are able to coax out of these enormous beasts, while she and her husband struggle to make their beloved--and much smaller--son Josh obey the simplest rules. Using the story approach popularized by Ken Blanchard in his many bestsellers, this unique parenting book draws on the experiences of two of the coauthors--as both pioneering marine mammal trainers and as parents--to show how the same principles that induce killer whales to leap into the air can persuade young children to go quietly to bed.

Like Amy and her husband Matt, once you get the hang of the three Whale Done principles, you'll see a dramatic difference in overcoming challenges like following bedtime routines, dealing with tantrums, introducing new foods, sharing, avoiding overuse of the word no, learning to care for a pet, and instituting time-outs. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Training ANIMALS not children.
Because training animals is just like rasing children.
Have we forgotten that children ARE human beings?
SHould we wave a tuna in front of their nose so they can perform tricks for us?
THis is very insulting to me as a person and once a child.
Yes maybe training whales is gentle and loving but children are not whales.
Children are people. WOuld you be offended if someone wanted to train you like an animal?
When does being an animal trainer qualifies someone to give parenting advice about raising human beings?

A fine collection of parenting material that is worthy of any community library parenting collection
Whales are mammals. Your children are mammals. The techniques to teach the former can be applied to the later. "Whale Done Parenting: How to Make Parenting a Positive Experience for You and Your Kids" is a different, yet effective approach to parenting. whale trainers take their lessons from their careers and grant it to parents who want to make their children behave and be better parents. A unique set of analogies, "Whale Done Parenting" a fine collection of parenting material that is worthy of any community library parenting collection.

Whale Done Parenting
Kudos to the whale trainers!Who knew training whales could lead to successful parenting? As a grandma, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and will not only apply the positive/set up for success approach with my grandchildren but will also gently point their parents in the same direction.The book is especially helpful in describing how to deal with the 'not so attractive' child behavior that tests our patience. I suggest keeping the book handy, dog ear the appropriate pages, take a deep breath then open and apply it.Children are our most precious assets and raising them is one of our most arduous and fulfilling tasks - and this book can make it a lot easier. Move over Dr. Spock and make way for Shamu. ... Read more

Product Description
For the crew of the eco-pirate ship the Farley Mowat, any day saving a whale is a good day to die. In The Whale Warriors, veteran adventure writer Peter Heller takes us on a hair-raising journey with a vigilante crew on their mission to stop illegal Japanese whaling in the stormy, remote seas off the forbidding shores of Antarctica. The Farley is the flagship of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and captained by its founder, the radical environmental enforcer Paul Watson. The Japanese, who are hunting endangered whales in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary, in violation of several international laws, know he means business: Watson has sunk eight whaling ships to the bottom of the sea.

For two months, Heller was aboard the vegan attack vessel as it stalked the Japanese whaling fleet through the howling gales and treacherous ice off the pristine Antarctic coast. The ship is all black, flies under a Jolly Roger, and is outfitted with a helicopter, fast assault Zodiacs, and a seven-foot blade attached to the bow, called the can opener.

As Watson and his crew see it, the plight of the whales is also about the larger crisis of the oceans and the eleventh hour of life as we know it on Earth. The exploitation of endangered whales is emblematic of a terrible overexploitation of the seas that is now entering its desperate denouement. The oceans may be easy to ignore because they are literally under the surface, but scientists believe that the world's oceans are on the verge of total ecosystem collapse. Our own survival is in the balance.

With Force 8 gales, monstrous seas, and a crew composed of professional gamblers, Earthfirst! forest activists, champion equestrians, and ex-military, the action never stops. In the ice-choked water a swimmer has minutes to live. The Japanese factory ship is ten times the tonnage of the Farley. The sailors on board both ships know that there will be no rescue in this desolate part of the ocean. Watson presses his enemy while Japan threatens to send down defense aircraft and warships, Australia appeals for calm, New Zealand dispatches military surveillance aircraft, the U.S. Office of Naval Intelligence issues a piracy warning, and international media begin to track the developing whale war.

For the Sea Shepherds there is no compromise. If the charismatic, intelligent Great Whales cannot be saved, there is no hope for the rest of the planet. Watson aims his ship like a slow torpedo and gives the order: "Tell the crew, collision in two minutes." In 35-foot seas, it is a deadly game of Antarctic chicken in which the stakes cannot be higher. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (19)

Another amazing read of a Peter Heller book!
I recently read and reviewed Peter Heller's book "Kook, What surfing Taught Me..."I loved it so much I was interested in checking out his other books -- and Whale Warriors certainly caught my attention. Like Kook, once I picked it up, I could not put it down.As sad and awful as the book's topic is, I did not want the book to end!

Whale Warriors takes us through Peter's adventure (and potential catastrophic mis-adventure) of his time on board the Sea Shepherd / Farleywith Captain Paul Watson as they try to find and stop Japan's Nissan Naru "research" vessel in the antartic from illegal whaling.I felt that Peter did an excellent job of balancing his own emotional struggles over Watson's methodology with the telling of Watson's story -- and that of his amazing, volunteer team.

I can not believe, after reading this book and learning more about Japan's illegal and absolutely disgusting practice of killing whales, that there is not more international outrage and determination to stop this horrific practice.

Please please do not hesitate to read this book - it is a compelling read and a must read for everybody!We must all do what we can and this book is certainly a great motivator to take your first steps to get involved if you haven't already, and more involved if you have.

Captain Paul Watson...Hero of our time...!
I just bought this book because I support the ideals and actions of Captain Paul Watson.
I have seen the awesome documentary: Whale Wars - Season 1 which makes me realize how very important it would be to safe the gentle giants of our southern ocean from pain, suffering and being mercilesslykilled by the Japanese whalers. These are cruel people...! There is no need to hunt the whales for food because there are other proteins and seafood substitudesavailable for chomping. There is no need to LIE and DECEIVEthe world under the pretext of hunting the whales for FALSE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH by these Japanese...! Japan's insistence and persistence in hunting these innocent whales should be condemned by all whale lovers, environmentalists and natural conservationists all over the world. I wish the courageous Captain Paul Watson and his crew success, safety and good luck in protecting the whales which belong to allmankind. And he and his members are doing COMMENDABLE WORK which we must constantly support. And I look forward with excitement to read this book about Paul's exploits and to safeguardfor the gentle whales. MAY PAUL'S MISSIONS BE ALWAYS SUCCESSFUL & BLESS BY GOD.Cheers...!

Whale Hunting is Illegal, and Stupid

Hunting whales for food violates international law. So the Japanese claim to be conducting scientific experiments on the whales then eating the subjects of the experiments. Eating whale meat violates common sense. Whale flesh, according to Heller and Watson, is so full of mercury, DDT, PCB's and other toxins, known to cause brain damage, liver, kidney, and endocrine failure, that it is unsafe to eat. So the Japanese feed their children. Are they nuts?

Are "science experiments" in butchering whales or creating different recipes allowed by the treaty?

Is the real experiment that the Japanese are conducting "What will happen first, epidemic Parkinsons among Japanese or extinction of whales?"

These latter questions are not answered by Heller's book. However, regarding "Are the Japanese nuts?" the answer is "Yes."

The real story behind the whale wars
I really enjoy the Animal Planet Whale Wars series and this book is really the "true story" of the adventures of the crew of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society who are on a mission to stop Japanese whaling vessels in Antarctica.

Not only a riveting tale of the crew and its passion for saving whales (they will stop at nothing and essentially are real-life pirates), it is also a ray of light shining on the importance of conserving our most precious resource - the oceans and those who inhabit them.

Something that matters
I echo many of the sentiments already expressed in the reviews here. I feel changed after reading this book. I finished it feeling angry, incredibly sad, frustrated and totally inspired all at once. I return to my day job fixating on how much I'd rather be doing something that actually matters and saving the oceans like these guys. My heart is absolutely out there with the Sea Shepherds. In this messed up world, with the impending threat of a total collapse of life in the oceans, everything else just pales in significance.

Go check out the "Whale Wars" DVD series too. Compelling stuff. ... Read more

Product Description
Describes how a migrating humpback whale mistakenly entered the San Francisco Bay in 1985 and swam sixty-four miles inland before being led back to the sea by people concerned for his welfare. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Humphrey the Lost Whale
A wonderful story of nature helping humans, help nature.Humphrey helped focus on the wonder of the seas for just a little while.A great read for children just starting to appreciate books.

Humphrey the lost whale
I was so happy to find this book for a friends little boy.I was there to watch them help Humphrey out os San Francisco Bay....We had followed his path.I know he will love having it read to him...
They had to locate the book and took the time to find it for me...Thank you so much!!!

A True and Wonderful Tale
Several years ago I read this book to my nephews while we waited for the doctor.Over the years I reminded them of the story, whenever the subject of whales came up. I purchased the book to share again with my nephews, and during this school year they studied ocean life.When they told their teacher about the book she wanted to share with it the class.All of the children loved the story of Humphrey.

Great story
Got this too, after seeing it on Reading Rainbow. I grew up 30 mins from where Humphrey was and remembered it from when I was a kid. I wanted to share it with my kids and they love it too.

Humphrey the lost whale
I think this book is good because it is a true story about a lost humpback whale that goes into the Sacramento River. I like this book because we are studying marine mammals in class. ... Read more

Product Description
A blue whale is longer than thirty dogs lined up nose to tail. Its tongue weighs as much as four hundred cats. Blue whales make terrible pets....Just ask Billy Twitters. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

So funny and so well done
It's hard to decide on a favorite thing about this book.

The illustrations are amazing -- so expressive and funny and detailed.

The story line is a hoot -- buying a kid a blue whale to teach him responsibility.

The size of the book and the quality -- this is a BIG book.

It's hard to find a book that a babysitter and a kindergartener will both love.This book does it.Not to mention -- grown ups enjoy it, too.

There are a few bits of humor tossed into the illustrations that just really make this a five-star:

+ the end papers look like old-time Sears & Roebuck advertisements for products, but of course they are all nautical and hilarious.(Captain Sheepshank's Big Old Anchors: "We're Going Nowhere Fast")
+ A "Cetacean of a Tale"
+ Mom fumes and her head is a storm cloud.The parents' faces are covered with the words coming out of their mouths.That's a clever touch.
+ Jacques Cousteau
+ The delivery service is FedUp -- delivering punishments worldwide
+ Jacques Cousteau!
+ The whale gets sprayed with graffiti while Billy is at school.
+ The fold-out whale care instruction booklet looks like airplane emergency cards -- nice touch.
+ Barnacles

The ending is so great.Don't hesitate to get this one.It would make a great birthday gift for any kid -- ages 5 to dead, as my kids say.

Fed-UPS is worth it
I have shared an illustration in this book with so many FedEx and UPS guys - the one where they're trying to figure out how the heck they're going to deliver a whale to a residential address - that I could cherish this book for that alone.But it's a clever story, too, with a good kinda-surprise ending.Great for grownups as well as kids.

Dave Eggers reads this book to his daughter. Enough said.
After his mother's pleas to clean his room, etc. fall on deaf ears, a "FedUp" truck (Delivering Punishment Worldwide, it reads on the side) pulls up in front of Billy Twitters' house. Needless to say, it's carrying an extremely large delivery.

And so goes Billy's hilarious foray into Learning to Be Responsible. Not only does he have to wash his whale, wax his whale, and check his whale for barnacles, but he has to take his whale to school, wrestle his whale, race his whale, and take his whale to the park. Whew. Adam Rex's illustrations are unforgettable as usual (if you've never seen The Dirty Cowboy, check it out immediately), and the suspension of disbelief throughout the story is inspired. No one ever asks "why?" or "how?"It's just understood: You get a blue whale, you drag it to school on your bike. Lovely.

So Much Fun!
This book will have readers of all ages laughing hysterically at Billy Twitters' predicament. Younger kids will love the silly illustrations and the wonderful details of childhood, while their parents will also appreciate the book's sly sense of humor. Don't forget to order your own Blue Whale - just check inside the dust jacket.

This book is GREAT!
What if Mom and Dad taught you responsibility by giving you a pet-- Whale!?
This book is GREAT!It takes exaggeration literally, and goes big, stretching reality in a way that reminds me of Roald Dahl.The book nudges the Clifford the Big Red Dog, and Danny and the Dinosaur genre, and says, really?Doesn't a pet that big smell pretty foul?And isn't it pretty inconvenient feeding your pet, say, 10,000 gallons of sea water daily? I laugh aloud every time I read it. The illustrations are vast, vivid, and just as clever as the text.
Don't miss the special offer under the dust jacket!
"Send us a self-addressed, stamped envelope (we call it a S.A.S.E.!) and we'll send you a blue whale.
What?!
My S.A.S.E. is in the mail! ... Read more

Product Description
‘The title epitomizes Esbensen’s creative presentation of an important concept: how whales differ from the fish they seem to resemble and share characteristics with other mammals.… An excellent addition to the Let’s-Read-and-Find-Outseries.’—K. ‘Introduces a full range of information about whale anatomy, development, and behavior.… Esbensen’s simple, informative text keeps its young audience clearly in view.’—BL.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

good science book for young readers
This is yet another fine addition to a great series for young children. It contained quite a bit of information on whales, but not too much for young readers to digest. The illustrations could have been a bit more varied. ... Read more

Product Description
Glashka can . . . but with that mysterious power comes great responsibility. When she discovers thousands of whales trapped in a rapidly freezing inlet, she knows it is up to her to gather the people of her town to help them.
Based on an actual event, this inspiring story follows Glashka and her people as they come to understand the importance of all life.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Superb
A perfect book in so many ways for a unit study.It includes unique illustrations begging to be imitated.It takes place in a remote part of the world which lends itself well to geography studies.Bring in the study of Beluga whales, icebreakers and the Inuit lifestyle and you've got an incredible story.

Even better that it's based on a true story.My kids beg me to read this over and over.It's time to avoid the library late fees and just buy the book now.

Touching Story with Beautiful Illustrations
This is based on the true story of the rescue of beluga whales by the people of the Chuchki peninsular, told through the eyes of of a young girl. It is beautifully illustrated in soft muted tones that inspire a wonderful sense of the arctic winter. I used this story as part of earth day education for my scout troop, to demonstrate the relationship between people and the earth.It is best suited to 6 -8 year olds as the story and illustrations are complex and require good listening/observation skills. My girls loved the true story notes at the end. I had many parents ask me about the story afterward - so obviously there was a lot of retelling of the story by the girls at home.

Symphony of Whales
Honours children's closeness to Spirit and is a beautiful story - being based on a true story all the more memorable.

An Excellent Book on Community and Relationships
I purchased this book (among many on here) for my unit on whales and the Inuit (Eskimo) people for my first grade class.This was a great book to share the relationship the people have with whales.It also shared a wonderful way the communities work together as well.What a great book! If you like whales, this is a great one to read to children!

Very Surprising
Although technically a children's book, "A Symphony of Whales" shook me up and blew me away with rich illustrations and an even more potent story.Sweet and simple, author Schuch tells the beautiful story of an Inuit girl and her whale spirit friend "Narna" -- and (not to give away the ending) the dramatic escape of three thousand whales trapped in an icy inlet of the Pacific ocean.

Not to be cute, but the book really is as much for adults as for children.Illustrator Peter Sylvada's pictures must literally be seen to be believed. ... Read more

Product Description
Trading in Texas heat for Maine's tangy salt air, Natalie Barnes risked it all to buy the Gray Whale Inn, a quaint bed and breakfast on Cranberry Island. She adores whipping up buttery muffins and other rich breakfast treats for her guests until Bernard Katz checks in. The overbearing land developer plans to build a resort next door where an endangered colony of black-chinned terns is nesting. Worried about the birds, the inevitable transformation of the sleepy fishing community, and her livelihood, Natalie takes a public stand against the project. But the town board sides with Katz. Just when it seems like things can't get any worse, Natalie finds Katz dead. Now the police and much of the town think she's guilty. Can Natalie track down the true killer before she's hauled off to jail...or becomes the next victim?

Murder on the Rocks is an Agatha Award nominee. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (34)

LOVE THIS SERIES!
I LOVE THIS SERIES. I HAVE READ ALL 3 BOOKS AND CAN'T WAIT FOR THE 4TH! THE DESCRIPTIONS OF MAINE MAKE ME WANT TO TAKE A VACATION AND THE MYSTERIES ARE A CHALLENGE TO FIGURE OUT. I HOPE THIS SERIES CONTINUES FOR A LONG TIME!!

Clue In Cranberry Island Maine
The pieces (a picturesque island, small town eccentrics, and murder) lie before you but MacInerney fails to connect the dots.Underdeveloped characters, forced plot movement, and a "Scooby Doo" wrap up make one run from the resort island with only the recipes cooked up at the Bed and Breakfast.Two and ½ stars - for the recipes.

Very Entertaining
Murder on the Rocks (Gray Whale Inn Mysteries, No. 1)


This was the first Gray Whale Inn Mysteries that I've read and this is a new author for me as well. I really enjoyed the mystery and all of the quirky characters. The owner of Gray Whale Inn seems to be able to get herself into a situation in a hurry.I found it to be entertaining and fast paced and look forward to reading the next mystery.

Great New(er) Mystery Series
This book is an enjoyable get-away in itself.The heroine is strong, she takes a lot physically in this book and keeps pushing forward.I look forward to this main character being developed further in the next books.

The location, like any good cozy, becomes a character in itself.This island off Maine's coast is a delightful setting.Where there is room for growth and improvement by the author - this certainly is a series to watch and follow.

Try the recipes!
The book was entertaining, but the recipes are great!The Wicked Blueberry Coffee cake and the chocolate chippers were both big hits with my staff! ... Read more

Product Description
Written by children's authors and compiled by leading experts in the field of literacy, DK READERS capture children's interest and help them learn.

DK Readers is a multi-level learning-to-read program combining DK's highly visual style with appealing stories at four graduated levels. Stunning photographs and engaging, age-appropriate stories are guaranteed to capture a child's interest while developing reading skills and general knowledge. DK Readers allow progression from stories for beginning readers with simple sentences and word repetition through to stories with rich vocabulary and more challenging sentence structure for proficient readers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

The highs and lows of being a big mammal in the oceans...
Journey of a Humpback Whale, by Caryn Jenner, is a whale of a book (pun intended!).As kids' books go, this brief, 32 page book (booklet?) is packed full of age appropriate information and factoids about (primarily) humpback whales.It is a DK Readers "2" book (recommended for those beginning to read alone; longer sentences and increased vocabulary over level 1; information boxes with additional facts; and an index).The font size is about 24!

There are three humpbacks featured:Triton, Spoon, and Salt.Triton is a male, and is the featured whale.The names are perhaps the corniest parts of the story, but they don't destroy the discussion of humpback natural history and biology.

You'll learn (however briefly) about the unique markings on a whale's fluke, how and when they breath, songs, migration, swimming behavior, food habits and feeding ecology, the role of blubber, and the impact of civilization on whales (whaling, pollution, entanglement, and ecotourism).

It's a good book for early readers.

Great photos, as you should expect from all DK books.To help "save the whales", the author suggests Greenpeace and Cetacean Society International.

Go look at in a bookstore first
So I ordered this book of of the strength of some other DK books that I have purchased for my son.All of the other books I looked at in a bookstore first - this time I did not.So imagine my surprise to find a picture of a dead dolphin floating upside down in a drift net.

For me that is not an appropriate image for a child to see.I can understand if they want to bring up the topic, and the other picture of a whale with a drift net where the words say that he breaks free is fine.But a picture of a dead dolphin - the book went staight back to Amazon.

I love this book so, so much!
I love this book so, so much because it has a map. I learned that he swims from the warm water to the cold water. There's not much food in the warm water but there's lots of food in the cold water. I learned that a whale's tail goes up and down but a fish's tail goes side to side.

You should read this book because it's awesome and has a map.

Travis, age 5 ... Read more

Product Description
Scholastic First Discovery: Whales, with its fresh cover design, kid-friendly paperback format, and larger trim size, offers young readers an easy-to-use, easy-to-understand introduction to whales and other marine animals. Full-color, highlighted illustrations are accompanied by brief, simple text full of fun facts. Four transparent acetate pages in this title add a fun visual kick.

Critical acclaim for the original First Discovery series includes:

"Each of the titles in this outstanding series is dramatic enough to enthrall even nonreading youngsters." -- Parenting magazine

"Visually delightful...the simple narration is informative and impressive." -- School Library Journal

First Discovery is one of the great phenomena of children's publishing -- often copied and never equaled -- with over 42 million copies sold worldwide. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Lots of whale fun
It sounds liked they came out with a new edition of this book. We read the older one so I can't comment on the newer one.

This book is a lot of fun with the transparent pages. The text is simple and fairly basic. These teach a little, but I mainly use them because the kids just love the pictures and will look through them over and over again. Whenever I see these books I buy them.

wonderful book!
My sister bought these books for her sons and she lent them to me for my children. She loves them so much that she wants them back for her grandchildren! This was a great book - the whole series is great. We have about 30 of these books and my children love to look at them. They particularly like how the plastic insert make the pages look different when you flip the plastic insert over.

This book gives basic information about whales - explains the differences between the two kinds of whales, what kind of food they eat, how they breathe, etc. It doesn't get into very detailed explanations but it's not necessary. It just gives you enough information to interest the reader in the subject. The pictures are great, not too scary. Excellent books for grade school kids, especially those learning to read.

I would recommend this book as well as the other books in this series. ... Read more

Product Description
One Christmas Eve, Whale Harbor is visited by a man who thinks he’s Jesus and claims to be looking for a game of poker. But, as usual, things are not quite what they seem. Having some version of the Lord in town for his birthday creates a strange effect on the locals: unlikely couples are breaking up and making up and making out; a luxury mobile home that belonged to an elderly couple from New Jersey (until they disappeared after a run-in with “the Lord”) is won by a down-on-his-luck gambler in an unbelievable hand of poker; the area’s most well-known and long-forgotten tourist attraction is rising up from a hole in the ground; and a gun no one has used in years is suddenly in hot demand. In the steamy climes of southern Florida, you take your miracles where you can get them—and if that means being led to salvation by a schizophrenic with a rap sheet, so be it.

In the rollicking tradition of Carl Hiaasen’s Tourist Season, with the heart of Garrison Keillor’s Lake Wobegon, and peopled by the kind of colorful characters who would be quite at home in any Tom Robbins novel, N. M. Kelby’s Whale Season is a sharp and funny novel made up of equal parts comic adventure and serial-killer inspired mayhem.


From the Hardcover edition. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Florida Crazy Characters
Florida must have more than its share of crazy, zany, fun characters for the writers to jot down on paper...e.g., MacDonald,Franklin, White, Haasen, etc....Kelby's book was fun and enjoyable, and had a classic ending.She did excellent protagonist development, and a lot of the folks were strange, but lovable.I enjoyed it and would recommend it to others for an airport or beach read. Lots of fun and hidden wisom. Interesting and well worth the bucks and the time (which seemed to zoom by). Good job!

surprisingly entertaining!
I had to read this book for book club and was dreading it.It looked cheesy and didn't sound like anything I would enjoy.I was wrong.Once I started it, I was so amused and laughed out loud many times.I was also touched by the sweetness of it in parts.This would make a great summer vacation read for anyone just looking for a good story.

Extremely entertaining
My favorite aspect of this book was the strange array of character personel that Kelby created.I was immensely compelled to read to the end of this book just to see the interacting of Jesus and Jimmy Ray, a character bond that made this book intensely worthwhile.This is a great book for anyone.I loved it.

It's the Female Tom Robbins!
A nifty little novel, very different from her other work. It's clever, witty, and charming and will delight any reader who's been itching for a new Robbins novel. Tom may be taking his time but Ms. Kelby will help tide you over.

florida zany!!!! i love it
Any book set in a town know as "Whale Harbor" which has no whales catches my eye.This one did.....

There are enough zany people in this town to rival Carl Hiaasen, but don't compare this author to him.She writes well in her own special way.Read her for her own special way of creating a town, and it's people....

Oh, and any town where the mayor is trying to find his "inner dog" rates well with me.

Read this book for great, funny and crazy fun.You will enjoy all the laughs.

P. S.Do not read in public....persons who laugh out loud at a book may be considered suspect. ... Read more

Product Description
A great resource for teachers!

Read and Wonder books tell stories, take children on adventures,
and reveal how big and WONDER-full the natural world really is. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Pre-Teen Book
Although it falls in the "picture book" catagory, the art work is suitable for an older child and it offers so much interesting information about blue whales it is perfect for a student in 4th or 5th grade.My pre-teen granddaughter loved the book.

Enjoyable & Informational
We did not purchase this from Amazon, we borrowed it from the library.

Delightful and detailed large crosshatching colored pen and ink illustrations.It is of note that this is not a storybook - but informational in nature.There are actually two sets of complementary facts being provided simultaneously.While this is an interesting feature throughout the book, there were a few times when it actually disrupted the flow of thought.Facts about blue whales are presented in specific measurements (feet, tons, counts, etc.) as well as relative terms (larger than an elephant, eyes the size of the end of a pencil) and with detailed graphics.We learned interesting facts about migration, birth, nutrition, and communication.

The text was quite extensive and was enjoyed more by our 6-year-old than our 4-year-old.However, the pictures were enough to keep the younger's attention throughout.

Big Blue Whale
This book is a delight to read out loud to children, the illutrations are excellent and the information that is given is also educational.I would reccomend this book for lower primary use, it could even be used for middle primary use to start of a unit of work on Whales.It is also excellent for just reading to your children at home, or as independant reading material.

Perfect science and read-aloud book.
A wonderfully succinct overview of the blue whale and it's habits.

The clear, sweet prose makes delivery of the content easy, and the very fine, soft illustrations demand repeated veiwing. My Preschool and Kindergarten ESL students found it highly engaging.

If there's a better science and read-aloud book around I'd really like to know about it. TEN stars.

Follow this book up with the superb "Is a Blue Whale the Biggest Thing There Is?" by Robert E. Wells. Wells' book uses the whales' size as a starting point for exploring the size of the universe and other very big things (the second step involves putting a hundred blue whales in a really big jar). Read my review of Wells' book if you like.

ONE OF THE BEST WHALE BOOKS AVAILABLE!
I'm a whale researcher who has spent much of the last 12 years studying blue whales in the North Pacific. I'm also a mom who loves children's literature. Rarely do I see a book that is so accurate factually while it is captivating and magical! The illustrations are beautiful. I highly recommend it to anyone who has children who are facinated by whales. ... Read more

Product 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.

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 ... Read more

Customer Reviews (152)

I Love a Nice Package!
Everyone loves a good spy novel, historical romance, mystery thriller, period literature, science fiction compilation, etc. I'll admit I love a genre piece. However, when a book contains a myriad of things such as love, science, Jah, odd underwater sea creatures and pastrami, that book is a nice package. Christopher Moore even adds a bit after the story about whale conservation, and ocean conservation in general. This is a funny, smart, educational, and incredibly engaging book. READ IT!

Wonderful, original and worthy book!
This is the third Christopher Moore book I've read (the other two are: Lamb, which was wonderful!, and Fool, a remake of King Lear by Shakespeare, that I liked very much).

This book was such an original story...but still based on an important theme, protection of marine life and conservation of our oceans. At the end of the novel, he includes wonderful and very pertinent notes on the importance of conservation. I respect him so much for writing this novel.

Thanks Christopher Moore! I will soon be reading another book of yours. You are a wonderful wordsmith and creative storyteller!

I wish this were real life!
I enjoyed Fluke as much as Lamb, which is saying a lot!The way Christopher Moore created a new world under the sea was amazing.I ordered 3 more of his books today!

:(
Christopher Moore's books always grab me and never let go. To my surprise and dismay, Fluke did not.It may have been the guy reading it, but I found myself totally bored with this one.:(

Not Disappointed
Love Christopher Moore.Said it again.

Fluke was great.Moore makes the fanciful story seem nothing more than the backdrop for his unique and hysterical sense of humor.This book was no exception.I laughed until I cried.Must read. ... Read more

Product Description
Provides answers to such questions about various species of whales and dolphins as "Do all whales have teeth?", "How long do most whales live?", "Why do dolphins whistle?", and "Can dolphins save humans?" ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Very informative and fun to read.
It is a book that is a bunch of questions you might ask about Whales and Dolphins.This book answered most of my questions about Dolphins and Whales.It had good pictures to explain the answer to the questions howthe animals lived.Even though the questions were short, the answers cameout long and explained well. ... Read more

Product Description
“Deeply ecological, original, andspellbinding. . . . [A] hauntingly beautifulnovel of the hidden dimensions of life.”—Booklist, starred reviewRaised in a remote seaside village, Thomas WitkaJust marries Ruth, his beloved since infancy.But an ill-fated decision to fight in Vietnamchanges his life forever: cut off from hisNative American community, he fathers a childwith another woman. When he returns home a hero, he finds his tribe in conflict over the decisionto hunt a whale, both a symbol of spiritualityand rebirth and a means of survival. In the end, he reconciles his two existences, only to seetragedy befall the son he left behind.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Touched by the Gods & Unsanitized
In the acknowledgments at the end of the novel, Hogan thanks her husband, "who talked with me about Viet Nam back before my accident."She then says, "I apologize for forgetting names." While reading this novel with my International Lit class, several students noticed the Russell/Randall error, as did I.Maybe Hogan's editor at Norton was so lazy and inept as to not catch this obvious miscue; ditto, presumably, various friends who read the draft, common practice for writers nowadays, even given she was recovering from a head injury and had the presence of mind to offer a preemptive apology for mixing up names.

Add to this the fact that, same as for many (arguably most) Native American and other indigenous writers, Hogan's main theme is discontinuity of memory following the rupture of colonization and its subsequent, arguably still unhealed trauma, notably including the severing of a sacred relationship between a human culture and its non-human cohabitants.

What better way to make the trope of recovery-of-memory real than for a tribal author to tell a commanding story about this theme, while overtly and graphically confessing to the very flaw she places at the core of our current ecological crisis, likewise contemporary tribal "forgetting" of traditional culture and its values?So yes, I bet any college kid getting paid minimum wage to find the mistakes could have fixed that one, ditto the erstwhile howler wherein a fishing boat named the Marco Polo becomes "Marco Pollo" (Mark the Chicken, in Spanish).Maybe Hogan did have a crap editor, and lazy friends, but I doubt it.Amongst the tens of thousands of "creative writers" currently bearing their souls to no one, Hogan has earned her audience, and has taken a leap that would until recently have been called postmodern, letting the seams show in what otherwise would be a mimetically convincing but ultimately less real and less powerful rendering of a story told by someone who has the misfortune--or maybe the blessing--of being touched by the gods, via a fall to earth.

Linda Hogan disappointed me for the first time.
I LOVE all of Linda Hogan's other books.She is my favorite author.I love her so much that I won't even let my bookclub select any of her books as one of our monthly picks, lest one of our members besmirch her name in some way or offer a criticism of her.However, I'm very disappointed in People of the Whale.The premise of the story is great, but I think she does a poor job of telling it.The writing seems lazy and careless to me, almost like she didn't care much about doing a good job."There was heated water for him in the winter when the old women filled a tub for him with heated containers of water."Other times it just seems sloppy to me, as when she mistakenly writes "Randall" when the character's name is Russell.

If I had read "Whale" first I wouldn't have read anything else she wrote.I wouldn't recommend it -

An Incredible Book!
This is such a beautifully written book; descriptive, intriguing, engrossing. I actually read it first from the library, then I had to buy it for my own collection for the pleasure of rereading it whenever I want!

I highly recommend it! I'm definitely reading more from this author.

people of the whale
A very moving story creating understanding of Native American's lives and struggles in today's culture.Linda Hogan is a passionate and moving author and a voice that captures the complexities of being a woman like no other author I know!If you want to read about powerful women, read all of her books.

Deeply Moving
In her quiet, intensive, often lyrical writing, Linda Hogan has created a serious and magical book. In the story of one Native man's search for his place in the Native and the American world, in tribal tradition and modern day problems, she speaks to all of us. What is the source of our greed and desparation, that leads this man, Thomas Just, to going to the Vietnam War, or leads his tribal members to restart whale hunting outside of international treaties and their own traditions? We get more insight into men suffering from war than many fictional and non-fiction titles about war can provide - we see with empathy.

A moving book with strong female characters, especially Thomas' wife Ruth, and wise elders, it also opens our heart and mind to the ocean and the survival struggle of all its creatures, especially the mysterious octopuses and whales. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (14)

Lovely story on eye catching pages
Our kids love this book.They were truly engrossed in the beautiful colors and gentle flow of the story.The sparkly fish on each page are just lovely to look at; the book captured their attention because the character of the whale was able to teach a lesson both obvious and hidden. The obvious lesson was that you can't judge a book by it's cover, since the fish were intimidated and frightened by the whale's constant staring. Little did they realize that the whale was in awe of their colorful, peaceful beauty, and this is why he gazed at them each day. When I asked the kids to figure out if there was another message in the story, they thought long and hard and eventually came up with the perfect answer:kindness brings friends together!Read this charming tale and you will see what they mean.

Disappointment
It was advertised as "like new" but when I opened it a page was ripped in half with words from the story missing.Would never order from this site again!!

Oceans Alive
Rainbow Fish and the Big Blue Whale (Rainbow Fish)
Purchased this book for our Oceans Alive museum teacher at her request. I haven't received any feedback from her about the book. The book was in good condition when received. Purchased several other books about the same subject at that time. All were in good condition. Everything I've purchased from Amazon I've been pleased with. There's a great deal of selections to choose from and the price is always good. Since our museum is a non-profit organization I'm always looking to save money.
Thank you,
Joyce

Another Winner!
I enjoyed reading this book to my elementary students.This book teaches kids not to judge others based on appearance as well as the cons of making assumptions about others (before actually getting to know them).I think the story itself could have been a little bit longer ... it seems to be too quick of a read for even primary students.Overall, a great book!

RAINBOWFISH
I like reading this book because the fish are sharing scales and
beingkind to the other fish. I felt that this is not a true story because fish can't talk , or give other scales to another .
... Read more

Product Description
Using a question-and-answer format, this entertaining book addresses over 100 general interest questions about the sea, sea life, seabirds and man s relationship with the sea. Why is the sea salty? Does anything eat jellyfish? Why do whales sing? How do flying fish fly? Who owns the oceans? Inspired by questions raised while the author was a guest lecturer on cruise ships, this fascinating and informative book is a lighthearted, surprising, and entertaining read for anyone interested in the sea in its many forms. Each bite-sized entry is no more than two or three pages long, making it an ideal book to dip into for anyone interested in the oceans and the teeming life above and below them. ... Read more

Product Description
In Cheryl Kaye Tardif's heart-wrenching Whale Song, haunting native legends merge with the modern world as two cultures collide, and a young woman struggles with long-forgotten memories of her mother's suicide.

Thirteen years ago, Sarah Richardson's life was shattered when her mother committed suicide. The shocking tragedy left a grief-stricken teen-aged Sarah with partial amnesia.

Some things are easier to forget.

But now a familiar voice from her past sends Sarah, a talented mid-twenties ad exec, back to her past. A past that she had thought was long buried.

Some things are meant to be buried.

Torn by nightmares and visions of a yellow-eyed wolf, yet aided by the creatures of the Earth and by the killer whales that call to her in the night, Sarah must face her fears and uncover the truth―even if it destroys her.

Some things are meant to be remembered―at all cost. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (62)

Beautiful and Moving, but Predictable
4 stars (5 stars for young adult readers)

This book has a small amount of information about actual animals (Orca Whales and Canadian Gray Wolves), but their real presence here is as myth:Native American legends, totem spirits, and as reincarnations of human souls.As such, they are an extremely important part of the book.

In my public library, the book was shelved as Adult Fiction, but I think that Young Adult readers would best appreciate it.The narrator is a preteen and teen throughout most of the book.And it deals with issues of particular concern to this age group:bullying, fitting in, school friendships, first love, parents, coming of age, etc.

The information about one of the Native Tribes of Canada - both their traditional beliefs and mythology, and their contemporary lifestyles and issues - was interesting and new to me.

Whale Song is a lovely, poignant, and spiritual story, and has valuable life lessons to teach.On the other hand, to me it was also predictable and clichéd.I hurried through it with only a mild interest because it seemed so similar to other books I've read.

But it would be fresh and new for a young adult reader (who hasn't lived long enough to have read as many books as I have.)For them, I think Whale Song would be a very special book: compelling, wise, and intensely moving.

(199 pages)

An amazing story
I read Whale Song over a few nights and was unable to put it down at the end.
Whale Song is a powerful story of love and loss, family and friendship, bullying and ultimate forgiveness. Cheryl draws you into the lives of the Nootka Indians and allows the reader to experience Indian folklore firsthand.
I experienced a myriad of emotions...I laughed and cried and my heart soared at the ultimate act of love.

I will recommend this book to everyone who is looking for a great book.

Cheryl Kaye Tardif writes like the flow of a river
I found this book spiritual, mystical and very sweet. Cheryl Kaye Tardif writes like the flow of a river. I was transported to this tiny island in Canada and felt life I had also grown up there. Some people will say that since it is focused on a young girl coming of age, men/boys may not relate to it... this is absolutely false... anyone who is young or young at heart will love this book. I plan on buying copies for many of my friends and family this December. It will forever hold a small place in my heart.

Cheryl Kaye Tardif, you are an inspiration!
Anyone who has heard the haunting sound of a whale's song will never forget it. So it is with this story, mystical, honest, haunting and wonderful. So emotional in fact, that I am writing this review while my eyes are still damp with tears. Tears of joy, tears of sorrow, and a great feeling of enlightenment and belonging.The rich blend of lifestyles from the prairies of Wyoming to Vancouver Island's rugged west coast in British Columbia, both very remote, brings together a family who have never seen an ocean to the very shores in their new home, and a traditional indian family whose roots go back many hundreds of years.The area around Bamfield is largely populated by the Huu-ay-aht Tribe and the warmth of the people represented in this novel is passed on to us in a way that feels personal. Cheryl Kaye Tardif, you moved me. I read this straight through without setting it down once.

The story begins with Sarah, an eleven year old girl, learning that her marine-biologist father has been offered an opportunity he can't refuse, nor wants to, to live and work near Bamfield for a couple of years. His artist wife, well-known for her paintings of the plains will have the opportunity to paint different scenes in their new home.Sarah of course does not want to move, her best friend is here in Wyoming. However, at eleven one has little in the way of choices. But Sarah has no idea how much her new home will change her life.Though well-populated with many full-fledged characters, this is really Sarah's story.

If I take nothing more away with me from reading this book, these three alone were worth the read:live life fully; "forgiveness will set you free"; know when to let go. Of course I loved many things about this book, and it deals with many subjects that afflict peoples lives today. [On a personal note, I mean no disrespect when I refer to our native people as indian. As a Chief once told my husband when he asked what he wanted him to call him, he said to call him an indian, the government made him an indian when they created the legislation in the 1800s, and they call themselves indian because why should they keep changing names, because someone tells them to?]*

Very soon after arriving at their new rural home, Sarah meets Goldie, her neighbor who is indian and also eleven. They become the best of friends and very soon both families become as close as non-family can be.Goldie's grandmother Nana, regales the girls with many legends, and yet it seems that she is tapping into something that Sarah is thinking or troubled about. I know, you are wondering about the whales. Sarah had been warned by her parents never to swim past the float because a young boy had tried to swim to the nearby island the year before and drowned. Sarah soon hears from Goldie that she believes her brother is now an Orca (Killer Whale) and swims nearby so she can talk to him. Nana narrates the legend to the girls later and Sarah then understands what Goldie was talking about. Sarah's mother and Nana have also become good friends, and incorporating something of the legends in her newer paintings have given her even more notice for the mystic quality they present.

When school starts, the girls find they are in the same classroom, and sit next to each other.But trouble brews for Sarah in a case of racism and bullying all through the first year.All is not terror for her though, as she becomes popular among her classmates and has also caught the eye of a popular young boy Adam, causing her to giggle and blush every time he looks at her.Goldie tells her he is part Haida, part white. A field trip on the boat Sarah's father does his research on brings a great windup to the school year. They are all mesmerized by the sounds of both fish and whales after Sarah's father drops the echolocation microphone into the water and turns the volume up so all can hear. Adam in particular looks toward his future as he learns as much as he can from Sarah's father.

The book takes place over approximately 13-14 years and there is so much to tell, but I will not plant spoilers. I have left a large part of the book undiscussed. Let me just say that this is one book I am thrilled to have had the opportunity not only to read, but to feel.It is as though I was dropped into the mind of Sarah and existing within these pages myself, feeling every emotion.Cheryl Kaye Tardif, you are an inspiration!The version I am reviewing is an ebook, and is more recent than the original printed book (I chose the pdf file and printed it because I don't have a reader). This book should be read by everyone, perhaps a little too sad in places for young children but definitely for 12+ because some of the lessons learned, almost by absorption, are particularly applicable to that age group.For the rest of us, we are never too old to learn something new, and sometimes you can go home again.
*This review is written by a Canadian reader, I refer to Canadian legislation

"Forgiveness sets you free"

Canadian author Cheryl Kaye Tardif has a winning combination in her young adult book Whale Song: A Novel. Against a vivid Vancouver Island backdrop she weaves together many effective elements: the native American spirit world, symbolism of the orca (killer whale), racism and bullying, and the tragedy and redemption that run through young Sarah's family.

Eleven-year-old Sarah Richardson moves from Wyoming to Vancouver Island in Canada where her marine biologist father has a new job. Sarah feels alienated, but she makes a new friend in her neighbor Goldie, a Nootka Indian whose grandmother introduces Sarah to the traditional stories of their tribe. Goldie's family tragically lost a son to drowning and the young Goldie believes that the orcas are a link to the spirit of her brother.

When Sarah's artist mother becomes gravely ill, things spin out of control; at the height of her pain Sarah develops a hysterical amnesia and loses both her parents. Years later, emotionally closed-off to everything that had been meaningful to her, she finally finds peace in the love that she had known on Vancouver Island.

The author tells the story in Sarah's voice, and the prose is plaintive and rich. At times you may be reminded of gothic romance:

"...I felt restless and uneasy. I somehow knew that my life would change the second we drove into those trees.

"Destiny...or fate?"

The foreshadowing of tragedy, the intense emotion, a mystery, the suggestion of supernatural elements, loved ones kept apart by a misunderstanding... all gothic elements. But WHALE SONG is decidedly contemporary in the issues faced by adolescents finding their way to adulthood. The values and outcomes are just what you'd want for family reading, and this book will be enjoyed by all ages.

Cheryl Kaye Tardif handles the good and bad of family life with a sure hand, and tells a story that sings; you will remember this award-winning book for a long, long time.

Linda Bulger, 2009 ... Read more

Product Description
"The questions he poses about the relationship between technical change and political power are pressing ones that can no longer be ignored, and identifying them is perhaps the most a nascent 'philosophy of technology' can expect to achieve at the present time."--David Dickson, New York Times Book Review

"The Whale and the Reactor is the philosopher's equivalent of superb public history.In its pages an analytically trained mind confronts some of the most pressing political issues of our day."--Ruth Schwartz Cowan, Isis ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

recognition and reflection
In The Whale and the Reactor, Langdon Winner asserts that technology is inseparably connected with politics, in that the technological decisions we make are often decisions significantly shaped and motivated by political forces.Some of these politically shaped technologies are obvious, such as those created for and used by the military.However, most are much more subtle.Winner provides an example early in the book about the bridges over parkways in Long Island, New York, describing how they are only nine feet tall.He then claims that these bridges were actually politically designed and built to achieve a specific social affect; to keep busses, and thus the poor and racial minorities, out of public parks.
Winner's primary intention is not necessarily to restructure or provide alternatives to the role politics has in technology, but rather to first recognize it.Winner asserts that the concept of technological determinism is much too strong, but claims that currently we exist in technological somnambulism, "willingly sleepwalking through the process of reconstituting the conditions of human existence."Although it need not be, technology, driven by politics, is shaping the world in which we live, rather than a cognitive society as a whole.
Winner also argues that politics also uses the promise of technology to restructure and format society to its liking.Many technologies need a specific structure around them to function at their greatest potential.By controlling technology, something society has blindly placed their faith in, politics can in turn control the structure of society necessary for technology to prosper.This does not, however, take into consideration the possibility that instead of society attuning itself to the demands of technology, technology may instead attune itself to the demands of society.The characteristics of technology may in fact be a result of cultural values rather than exclusively political ones.
Either way Winner makes a significant point in that whatever our current situation is, we appear to be sleepwalking through it.To rectify our condition, we must first recognize, and reflect on it thoroughly.Winner's book is well worth reading and at the very least sheds some important light on our circumstance at present.

This is a Great Book!!
We have just finished this book in our Book Club here in Ann Arbor, Michigan.The debate that we spawned from the material was intense and exciting.

This book clearly defines an interesting problem that is hidden underneath a complex facade of consumerism and innovation.Winner chooses not to offer alternatives to our pursuit of unlimited technology, but instead, he describes certain aspects of technology, such as politics, that should be taken into consideration as society blindly accepts technology on a product-by-product basis.How are we being limited??This is an important question to ponder as you read this.

His way of citing examples is actually VERY humorous and embarrassing at times, which makes the book easy and enjoyable to read. Instead of being told WHAT to be aware of, he sets up a method that informs the reader on HOW to be MORE aware of the technology around us and the implications of it.I believe that this a very effective way to make people think without ranting about political views, etc.

I wish they would reissue this book with a beautiful cover design, it truly deserves more attention...

This is a Great Book!!
The debate that our book club spawned from the material was intense and exciting.

This book clearly defines an interesting problem that is hidden underneath a complex facade of consumerism and innovation.Winner chooses not to offer alternatives to our pursuit of unlimited technology, but instead, he describes certain aspects of technology, such as politics, that should be taken into consideration as society blindly accepts technology on a product-by-product basis.How are we being limited??This is an important question to ponder as you read this.

His way of citing examples is actually VERY humorous and embarrassing at times, which makes the book easy and enjoyable to read. Instead of being told WHAT to be aware of, he sets up a method that informs the reader on HOW to be MORE aware of the technology around us and the implications of it.I believe that this a very effective way to make people think without ranting about political views, etc.

I wish they would reissue this book with a beautiful cover design, it truly deserves more attention.

Darkness of Technology
In this book, Langdon Winner presents a philosophical description of the position of those who oppose the paramount place technology has taken in society. Central to Winner�s argument is his observation that technology is inherently political. He presets two ways in which this is so. The first, which is rather unconvincing, is that a piece of technology can be used as a means of political coercion. He cites the fact that Robert Moses designed the overpasses on the parkways around New York City to be so low as to prevent buses from using them. This ensured that low-income people could not live in the communities adjacent to these parkways which was a political aim of Moses. Now Moses used technology in this case but since technology represents the means by which things are done in the world, this seems to have been inevitable.

Winner makes a much more convincing case for his second form of politics in technology. Any technology requires a compatible environment to work in to achieve maximum efficiency. People who benefit from a specific technology will through political means strive to change society to achieve this compatibility.Specific technologies carry their own political imperatives.

Now in itself the co-evolution of society and technology is not necessarily harmful to human society. Modern technology requires and educated work force and hence drives a political imperative for an educated middleclass population. The needs of technology and a beneficial state of society are compatible in this case. However Winner does not see it this way. He sees technology as an independent force for change that will indifferently discard traditions and social structures that are incompatible with it. Reading his descriptions of society, one realizes that Winner appreciates what could be called the �darkness of society� in analogy to the �darkness of god.�

The darkness of god is the sense of ineffable mystery when one contemplates the power and intentions of god.The magnificence of god is tied to the fact that he is infinitely good and beyond human comprehension. His ineffable mystery provides comfit to his believers. In the same way, Winner wants to find a sense of belonging in society. He objects to the technological view that society is a purely instrumental means of achieving some desirable end. For his society is the thing that gives meaning. Depriving it of this renders the individual helpless and alone.

Winner attempts to understand why others do not see society in this way. In particular he tries to understand why people are quite willing to adapt themselves and their society to the needs of technology. Winner sees that this acceptance of technological change has brought prosperity but cannot see how shallow economic prosperity is preferable to a stable meaning-giving society. Hence the Whale and the Reactor of his title.

What Winner seems to miss is that while technology has political imperatives, as he correctly observes, it is also subject to political imperatives. There is no monolithic thing called technology. Rather there are various technologies that all compete to fit into what would best be called a ecosystem of technological and societal arrangements. Successful technologies then must be aware and adapt to the needs of the larger ecosystem of society.Societal and technological arrangements co-evolve and a successful arrangement must be sensitive to larger needs outside of itself.

This co-evolution is best done in a open educated affluent society that is tolerant of change and divergent views. Technology rather than being a straightjacket requiring conformity from members of society is a slave to society�s needs. It will be By fostering an open educated society it creates the conditions that foster the dignity of the individual.The very political imperatives that control technological development are the reasons why people are willing to adapt to technology. They adapt in an open educated way that provides frees them from obsolete constraints while emphasizing long held beliefs of individual dignity and freedom.

The movies �Modern Times� and �Metropolis� show technology in the way it is viewed by Winner. Technology is shown as an over-powering force that indifferently shapes mankind to its needs. However the dystopias presented in these movies and seen by Winner has not come about. Society has become more open. Society has become freer with the political changes driven by technology.

Winner decries the lack of meaning and tradition he sees around him. To him meaning comes from society and change eliminates meaning. For others, meaning comes from an eternal process of which change is a part. Meaning is not fixed but a continual striving for understanding. Technology is accepted because it is part of that process. Technology is then part of an ineffable darkness by which mankind evolves its meaning.

This is a book well worth reading. Winner's views have wide consonance in society. His feeling of unease in the face of technological change is shared by many. There is a wide gulf in understanding between those who share Winner's view and the bulk of society which finds that its beliefs are compatible with technological change. This gulf can be seen by the mutual incomprehension on both sides of the globalization debate. I disagree with Winner's views and find his view of technology as political incomplete. However he masterfully describes the issues that a5re driving these worldwide protests. Most of these protests are inarticulate expressions of an emotional horror at the loss of meaning. Winner provides us with an insightful analysis of the issues that is clear and thoughtful.

This is a book well worth reading.

Stop and Think About It!
A popular morning radio broadcast here in Detroit has a great bit periodically entitled this, "Stop and think about it."Winner passionately writes with this theme in mind when it comes to technology.

As technology as we now know it seems steamrolling always into new area never ventured and most react with "can't stop progress," this book delivers the good gift of "we'd better start, stopping and thinking more carefully about it."The "it" is the impact of technologies upon society.

Discussions of risk analysis, tradeoffs, environment and ecology, and of course, economics and politics and social sciences and philosophy are all here.

I came away at times frustrated with the critique going on which didn't truly provide great alternatives, but certainly one obtains from reading this profitable work the valuable premise, i.e. shouldn't we be engaging more seriously in setting limits on technology?

Stem cells, and medical technology regarding life & death issues have clearly pushed the technological envelope to the breaking point for all of society.Engage with this subject.This book is good place to enter the dialogue. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (18)

Great Viking Novel
I really enjoyed this book. Admittedly, I'm a fan of Viking novels, so I'm a bit biased. Low demonstrates an immense amount of knowledge about this period, and I believed him from the start. His prose is gritty but paints an amazing picture. Some of the imagery stays with me a year later.

This book is gory and not for the faint of heart. It isn't a very happy tale, and Low pulls no punches. I recommend it to fans of Cornwell, Scarrow, Iggulden, etc.

Visceral debut novel about Vikings
The Whale Road is a stirring historical novel about Orm, a young warrior who joins a band of Viking raiders as they chase artifacts. The author, Robert Low, excels at placing the reader alongside the characters, setting the time and place as NOW instead of THEN. I never felt that I was reading about events that occurred long in the past. Low is a wonderful descriptive writer, flavoring his prose with rich historical and sensory detail. He focuses on smell and taste as much as sight and feel. I also like how he sprinkles in compound words (crow-dark, snake-knots, star-glimmered), which were a staple of sagas of this time. He depicts combat vividly, with plenty of gore. His passion for this period shines through in his writing. The novel features some fantasy elements, which might turn off history purists.

Structurally, the plotting and narration could be stronger. The storyline takes a backseat to the setting and action. The pace lags in the middle, and I expected the climax to pack a better punch. Despite these drawbacks, The Whale Road is a fine debut novel, and I am eager to read Low's next work.

Disappointing
The story is fairly good: the sort of plot that you would expect from the likes of Conn Iggulden. However, The Whale Road doesn't come close to the class of Iggulden, or any other of my favourite historical fiction writers.

I really struggled my way through from beginning to end. There is plenty of action, and most of it is very gory, but the style is tedious. One feels that the author is the proud owner of a book of tenth century Norse names, and is trying to break the record for how many of them he can cram into 340 pages. He also seems to be continually trying to invent new ways for the vicious Vikings to slice up their enemies, and even some of their brothers.

The second book in the series is called The Wolf Sea. I may get around to reading it someday, but, for the moment I have had enough of Orm's adventures. Although the storyline is good, I wouldn't go so far as to recommend it to any of my friends.

One Whale of a Ride!
Wow. I came upon this novel by chance, and the reviews I read were intriguing, so I took a flyer and bought the book. Growing up I liked Edison Marshall's THE VIKING. I loved Frans Bengtsson's THE LONG SHIPS. I loved Jane Smiley's GREENLANDERS. I loved Dorothy Dunnett's KING HEREAFTER. More recently I have been reading Bernard Cornwell's Saxon series with great enjoyment.

THE WHALE ROAD is one of the absolute best Viking tales I have ever read. The language is starkly beautiful. You find yourself going back to reread a turn of phrase -- and going back to make sure what you think just happened did indeed happen. This story moves fast, yet captures the spirit/language of an ancient saga. Yet it leaves room for your imagination to fill in details.

The story moves with conviction, and does not rely heavily on coincidence, but on logical assumptions and actions by the principal characters. If you like stories of the Northmen, this is a must read.

Great Nordic Anti-Hero
Orm Bearslayer, Nordic youth, sets out on great adventures, encumbered by a quick intelligence, loyalty to his oath, and a sense of right and wrong, all of which complicate his efforts to survive in a savage world. This is the first part of a trilogy that will take Orm and his companions to the Mediterranean, where populations of warriors from the Baltic and the North Sea serve the Emperor of Constantinople. Orm's quest for a legendary treasure puts him head to head with powerful Nordic lords, cunning men of the Church, and deceitful Greeks. You will like Orm, the anti-hero, as he comes of age in a medieval yet fascinating era. ... Read more

Product Description
Illus. in full color. "Milton understands what kids like about whales, and packs a considerable amount of information into the book. This easy-reader leaps with appeal."--Bulletin, Center for Children's Books. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

My six year old likes it
I think it is a good book.My six year old son can read it independently.In the "Step into Reading" series I tend to like the biographies a little better than the science books.The science books don't provide quite enough information.

GREAT BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS
My son loved the Step Into Reading books when he was a new reader.You really can't go wrong with any of the books in this series.My son's favorite was Hungry Hungry Sharks.I bought this one for my 5 year old nephew who is crazy about Whales. This book is a must have for the young non-fiction reader in your life.

Great reader
My son is starting 2nd grade in the fall and these Step 2 books are perfect for him!The Whales book is both informative, which he loved, and at the exact level that he needs!I highly recommend this book along with the other step 2 books!

Awesome Animals
I thought this book was very informative and showed people what whales are really like, just gentles creatures under the ocean. I would recommend this book to anyone who would like to read more into the life of whales underwater. This book has made me really want to go whale watching to see what they really look like.

Awesome Animals
I thought this book was very informative and showed people what whales are really like, just gentles creatures under the ocean. I would recommend this book to anyone who would like to read more into the life of whales underwater. This book has made me really want to go whale watching to see what they really look like. ... Read more