jenn_sveda's review against another edition
4.0
This one was a little tough to get through! If I hadn't been home sick for 3 days, I might not have finished it as quickly as I did.
I'm finally at the point in my life where I just have to admit that the Dawn Brancheau case, and SeaWorld's orcas in general, are just one of my niche interests. Even though a lot of the information surrounding this topic repeats often (in Blackfish, in Hargrove's Beneath the Surface, in the Youtube documentary Inside the Tanks), there is something so compelling in learning about these magnificent animals and their lives in captivity. This book went much more in depth regarding the natural history of orcas, the evolution of research about them, and the laws protecting them than other pieces I've read or seen. On one hand, that meant more new information, and a much better understanding of the social structure, classification, and lifespan of orcas. On the other hand, that meant many long chapters following Dr. Naomi Rose's work as a marine mammal scientist and eventual animal advocate. Interesting stuff, but slightly more tangential to the subject of SeaWorld's orcas, which made it difficult to get through sometimes.
Reading about the many orcas that have died horrible deaths in captivity is difficult, but I think it is important to shed light on these stories so that we as a society don't repeat these same cruel mistakes in the future. Honestly, the more I read about this issue, the more I'm shocked SeaWorld managed to survive as a company. I think their treatment of orcas is abusive, and considering the backlash they faced after Brancheau's death, it is amazing (and depressing) that they were able to recover so well, financially and in reputation.
Overall, this was a fascinating approach to the topic of orca captivity because it provided so much groundwork and covered multiple angles of the issue. Still, I don't think this is one I'll revisit in the future, just due to its density.
I'm finally at the point in my life where I just have to admit that the Dawn Brancheau case, and SeaWorld's orcas in general, are just one of my niche interests. Even though a lot of the information surrounding this topic repeats often (in Blackfish, in Hargrove's Beneath the Surface, in the Youtube documentary Inside the Tanks), there is something so compelling in learning about these magnificent animals and their lives in captivity. This book went much more in depth regarding the natural history of orcas, the evolution of research about them, and the laws protecting them than other pieces I've read or seen. On one hand, that meant more new information, and a much better understanding of the social structure, classification, and lifespan of orcas. On the other hand, that meant many long chapters following Dr. Naomi Rose's work as a marine mammal scientist and eventual animal advocate. Interesting stuff, but slightly more tangential to the subject of SeaWorld's orcas, which made it difficult to get through sometimes.
Reading about the many orcas that have died horrible deaths in captivity is difficult, but I think it is important to shed light on these stories so that we as a society don't repeat these same cruel mistakes in the future. Honestly, the more I read about this issue, the more I'm shocked SeaWorld managed to survive as a company. I think their treatment of orcas is abusive, and considering the backlash they faced after Brancheau's death, it is amazing (and depressing) that they were able to recover so well, financially and in reputation.
Overall, this was a fascinating approach to the topic of orca captivity because it provided so much groundwork and covered multiple angles of the issue. Still, I don't think this is one I'll revisit in the future, just due to its density.
wafer's review against another edition
2.0
Man, was this one disappointing.
Kirby's style of writing often comes across as needlessly sensational for a lot of this book. For a book trying to make the case against orca captivity, the constant overloaded language comes off as unprofessional journalism. It's one thing to get readers pumped and interested in the information, but you have to be careful to make sure that that information doesn't get over-dramatized in the process.
It's a shame that this is one of the only a few books written to expose SeaWorld's horrid practices. In the end, I'd say that this book is a lot like the popular documentary "Blackfish" in that it's good beginner material for people interested in researching the complications of orca captivity, but I would also recommend much stronger works such as Erich Hoyt's "Orca: The Whale called Killer".
Kirby's style of writing often comes across as needlessly sensational for a lot of this book. For a book trying to make the case against orca captivity, the constant overloaded language comes off as unprofessional journalism. It's one thing to get readers pumped and interested in the information, but you have to be careful to make sure that that information doesn't get over-dramatized in the process.
It's a shame that this is one of the only a few books written to expose SeaWorld's horrid practices. In the end, I'd say that this book is a lot like the popular documentary "Blackfish" in that it's good beginner material for people interested in researching the complications of orca captivity, but I would also recommend much stronger works such as Erich Hoyt's "Orca: The Whale called Killer".
bookishsix's review against another edition
4.0
This was extremely informative account of behavior of orcas in their natural habitat and of those in captivity. Blackfish was about the shock factor, this is the scientific findings part that was left out of the documentary. You don't have to be an animal activist to know that animal education is not taught through entertainment. Did I learn anything from Sea World as a kid? Sure, that orcas were awesome! Where did I actually learn anything about orcas? On my own, in libraries, on the Internet. This book is a huge step forward for us as a society. Just because we've been enjoying animal shows for years at the expense of the animals health, does not mean that it should continue. I highly recommend this book to anyone!
northship's review
4.0
this was an extremely informative, if dense, book. it was a good companion to the hargrove autobiography and blackfish, with a lot of information about wild orca habits to supplement and emphasize how unnatural their confinement and behavior in confinement is.
justjaqueline's review
4.0
A very in-depth analysis of what killer whales endure in captivity, and what people that want to free them have to go through.
I hope the trainers that died because of this issue are resting in peace.
I hope the trainers that died because of this issue are resting in peace.
kimberwitch's review
4.0
Sad - is the only way to describe how this book left me feeling. Even as a kid, I was always uncomfortable visiting zoos or seeing the circus, where animals, who should be free, are kept for profit. If you think you know all of this, I challenge you to read this book and not be moved by it.
This book is full of factual information and you will learn a great deal about orcas in general as well as the horror we have put captive orcas through...
This book is full of factual information and you will learn a great deal about orcas in general as well as the horror we have put captive orcas through...