Of Orcas and Men: What Killer Whales Can Teach Us explores just how intelligent these creatures really are, what that means for us, and what we might possibly learn from them.”

[A] breathtaking survey of orca science, folklore, and mystery.

Many of the stories are incredible and heartwarming, other shocking. This book is a great read for any nature lover.

A triumph of far-ranging research and vivid storytelling. Eloquent, astute, and compassionate.

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.

One of the most comprehensive works to date for anyone who has become enthralled by this magnificent animal.

Human beings need to learnfromand understand the cooperative nature of orca society.Everyone who is interested in both animal and human behavior should read this remarkable book.”

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.

It is tragic and unforgivable that humanity, in its arrogance, continues to assert that other animals are mere 'things.' In this powerful and beautifully written book, David Neiwert explores the extraordinary intelligence, rich social life, and obvious consciousness of orcas. He points out the psychological cruelty inflicted when an individual is stolen from the wide ocean and incarcerated in a concrete prison for our 'entertainment.' Of Orcas and Men highlights the need to rethink our relationship with other animals. — Jane Goodall, New York Times bestselling author of Seeds of Hope

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

It is tragic and unforgivable that humanity, in its arrogance, continues to assert that other animals are mere 'things.' In this powerful and beautifully written book, David Neiwert explores the extraordinary intelligence, rich social life, and obvious consciousness of orcas. He points out the psychological cruelty inflicted when an individual is stolen from the wide ocean and incarcerated in a concrete prison for our 'entertainment.' Of Orcas and Men highlights the need to rethink our relationship with other animals.”

04/15/2015
Orcas, known to most, incorrectly, as killer whales are actually a large, dramatic dolphin species. Neiwert informs us that their attacks on humans are limited to aquarium staff, such as those at SeaWorld. The orcas' presence in these unnatural surroundings, not entirely a negative issue, receives much discussion here, as does the related film Free Willy. Protests against the animals' captivity, analogous to the discourse on the use of elephants in circuses, gets full attention here, as does orcas' important place in the culture and folklore of peoples in places such as the Pacific Northwest, Newfoundland, New Zealand, and Siberia. The author shows how these artisanal peoples hold these mammals in esteem and affection in contrast to the prevailing, misleading image of them in most Western cultures today. This fine book also details orcas' complex vocalizations, intelligence, and behavior. The various populations throughout the world, comprising several species, are described. Neiwert, an investigative journalist with much experience—20 years worth—with orcas in the greater Seattle area, has done his research, providing solid chapter notes, a bibliography, and networking with ranking authorities. VERDICT This title will appeal to all who are interested in natural history, the humane, the sea, and wildlife shows.—Henry T. Armistead, formerly with Free Lib. of Philadelphia

2015-03-25
A champion for orcas convincingly spells out the threats to their survival, their misery in captivity, and what scientists can learn by studying them. At the outset of this compelling book, Seattle-based journalist Neiwert (The Eliminationists: How Hate Talk Radicalized the American Right, 2009, etc.) plainly states, "captivity has been a catastrophe for most killer whales taken from the wild." Unfortunately, he writes, "you will never, ever hear about the endangered population of killer whales" at the marine parks where they are doggedly trained to perform acrobatic stunts. (Readers might be shocked to learn just how popular these destinations are: in 2012, marine parks such as SeaWorld drew more visitors than attendance at Major League Baseball, NFL, and NBA games combined.) The author's main focuses are the ethical concerns about orca captivity and breeding, but he also emphasizes the immense value of scientific research. Killer whales' value largely derives from the fact that they "have been the supreme creature in the ocean for about six million years"; these big-brained marine mammals are "the oceanic counterpart to humans." Neiwert adroitly weaves several intriguing Native American legends that honor the whales' power and the natural world into his discussion of the critical role of modern evolutionary science. He probes the difficulties in discovering "just how intelligent" the orcas are and highlights many traits worthy of extensive study, including their communication methods and socialization among families and pods. This narrative is perhaps a bit long but accessible and persuasive. The author authoritatively presents his facts and will likely inspire readers to share what they've learned from his call to action to ensure the orcas' survival. His tone isn't alarmist or strident, but his message is urgent. A wide-ranging, interesting book that should be required reading for school-aged environmentalists.