Discovering Whales of the East Coast

Rating:
Summary: Beauty, Wisdom and a Touch of Soul
Review: A Review of the book

Discovering WHALES of the East Coast
By
Stephen Mullane

Discovering WHALES of the East Coast by Stephen Mullane is a comprehensive volume that is a picture book, a reference and a guide book all compiled into one beautiful and easily read volume. Its coffee table format, displaying breathtaking photographs, many of which Steve has taken himself, is somewhat deceptive. "Hidden" among the pictures one discovers the natural histories of over twenty species of whales, as well as, scientific findings and the human policies presently determining the plight of whales worldwide. Steve's style of writing is accessible to all but the youngest readers. Steve challenges every reader to envision whales in their natural environment and to contemplate the hardships whales endure by sharing the world's oceans with a demanding and often greedy human relative. Steve has a knack of drawing the reader in with descriptions that go beyond the scientific. His use of esthetic language borders on the poetic, revealing his own love for these unique and still mysterious creatures. Ultimately, Steve wants us to know more about whales because, "In the end, experiencing the world of whales helps us understand the need to care for them, to act from goodness instead of greed."

The photographs are worth the price of the book alone. Each photograph carefully and accurately illustrates the anatomy, behaviors and mysteries of whales and dolphins. The best pictures available were used, from a number of veteran cetacean photographers. This book is full of photographs of the highest quality. The large page format, exquisitely reproduced photographs and just sheer number of photographs makes this volume a sure bet for family viewing. I can envision a family reading a section a night, discussing pictures and text, allowing time for contemplating each species in its own right. Merely by reading the captions under each picture the readers will come away with a much greater understanding of whales. Of course, readers will not be satisfied with the pictures and captions alone. Steve has carefully chosen phrases for the captions that draw the reader to the text for more in depth information.

The text itself is a wonderful mix of facts and queries as well as an obvious bias for the protection of whales in general. Steve's respect for whales shows through clearly without preaching to the reader. Readers will learn from Steve's examples and not be lectured to! The factual information is accurate, up to date and comprehensive for each species discussed. It is presented in a straightforward manner, which I find quite easy to digest. Unlike other guide and reference books, the factual information was not monotonous to read partly because it was woven into a greater story about each specie's natural history and struggle for existence. Steve is the first to admit that there is much more to be learned about whales. Whale research has advanced greatly in the past twenty years but basic questions about habitats, feeding and mating activities, social interactions and even physiology and population sizes are still not answered. Questions about human influence and whale survival are a theme sewn throughout Steve's book. All his queries inspire the reader. I suspect many young readers will become infected with Steve's love of the whales and find him or herself embarked on a career involving whales.

Steve is an expert at weaving into the text just enough language to touch the reader's poetic side. At times his choice of words and phrases transcends facts, figures and projections and the reader is connected in a most basic way to Life itself through his descriptive dialogue. Occasionally Steve speaks in the first person. He uses these short narratives to share with us his discoveries first hand and makes us all feel that we could do the same. Time and time again Steve provokes us to get out onto the water to view whales first hand. We are encouraged to become active whale naturalists. The book includes all the descriptions, diagrams and guidance necessary for the amateur to successfully use on whalewatching trips and private voyages along the East Coast of North America. I have been studying and watching whales part time for almost thirty years on whalewatch, research and private vessels. Having read Steve's book makes me realize how little I have done and how much more I want to do.

In my opinion, Discovering WHALES on the East Coast is one of the best nature books available that a young adult could be exposed to. Through his empathy for the whales Steve reveals his reverence for all living things. This is something I believe children should be exposed to. I will actively share a copy with my 6th, 7th & 8th grade students. I encourage other teachers and parents to do the same. People who whalewatch are well advised to have a copy of the book with them for both identification and illumination. The novice will be initiated to the ease and excitement of whalewatching and the veteran will be challenged to observe every detail possible seeking the subtle secretes of the animals being observed. Through photographs and his commentary Steve allows us all to envision what it must be like to be a whale living in an environment foreign to humans. This coming August, when I take my position on the bow of a research vessel in the Bay of Fundy, I will have even more respect for the remarkable mammals I am studying. Indeed, they will be a little less mysterious to me and I will feel much more familiar with them all because I have experienced Steve's book.