A review by jmatkinson1
Leviathan: Or, The Whale by Philip Hoare
4.0
Whales have always had a fascination for man. From the great sea-monsters of legend, the swallower of Jonah, to the giant floating store of oil, bone and flesh for the use of humans, to the modern tourist attraction, the relationship between the two species has developed. Using the novel, 'Moby Dick', as a construct Philip Hoare celebrates this most enigmatic creature through words.
It's hard to describe what this book is about beyond saying that it is about the relationship between man and whale. Through its contents so many areas are covered - history, literature, geography, anthropology, language etc as well as straight biology - and event then it is wrapped up in a very personal memoir about one man's love of the sea and the creature. This makes the book a very eclectic and therefore entertaining read.
It's hard to describe what this book is about beyond saying that it is about the relationship between man and whale. Through its contents so many areas are covered - history, literature, geography, anthropology, language etc as well as straight biology - and event then it is wrapped up in a very personal memoir about one man's love of the sea and the creature. This makes the book a very eclectic and therefore entertaining read.