War of the Whales

A True Story

De: Joshua Horwitz

Narrado por: Holter Graham

Winner of the 2015 PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award: “Horwitz’s dogged reporting…combined with crisp, cinematic writing, produces a powerful narrative…. He has written a book that is instructive and passionate and deserving a wide audience” (PEN Award Citation).

Six years in the making, War of the Whales is the “gripping detective tale” (Publishers Weekly) of a crusading attorney, Joel Reynolds, who stumbles on one of the US Navy’s best-kept secrets: a submarine detection system that floods entire ocean basins with high-intensity sound—and drives whales onto beaches. As Joel Reynolds launches a legal fight to expose and challenge the Navy program, marine biologist Ken Balcomb witnesses a mysterious mass stranding of whales near his research station in the Bahamas. Investigating this calamity, Balcomb is forced to choose between his conscience and an oath of secrecy he swore to the Navy in his youth.

“War of the Whales reads like the best investigative journalism, with cinematic scenes of strandings and dramatic David-and-Goliath courtroom dramas as activists diligently hold the Navy accountable” (The Huffington Post). When Balcomb and Reynolds team up to expose the truth behind an epidemic of mass strandings, the stage is set for an epic battle that pits admirals against activists, rogue submarines against weaponized dolphins, and national security against the need to safeguard the ocean environment. “Strong and valuable” (The Washington Post), “brilliantly told” (Bob Woodward), author Joshua Horwitz combines the best of legal drama, natural history, and military intrigue to “raise serious questions about the unchecked use of secrecy by the military to advance its institutional power” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review).

Reseñas de la Crítica

A gripping, brilliantly told tale of the secret and deadly struggle between American national security and the kings of the oceans. At once thrilling and heartbreaking, this is a landmark book of deep, original reporting which could alter forever how we view our role as stewards of the seas. (Bob Woodward, author of The Price of Politics)

Intimate and urgent storytelling....Horwitz's years of research and observation lend genuine drama to this save-the-whales tale. The author paints rich portraits of his subjects, much fuller than the rote physical descriptions and caricatures that might pass for characterization in a breezier work of nonfiction.

As War of the Whales…makes convincingly clear, the connection between naval sonar and deadly mass strandings of whales is scientifically undeniable…a strong and valuable narrative.

A fascinating read and incredibly informative. This is a powerful book and will be of great interest to anyone concerned with marine mammal protection, the uneasy balance between the competing desires for national security and environmental protection, or the messy politics of scientific inquiry. (HOWARD ERNST, Professor of Political Science at the United States Naval Academy)

Horwitz delivers a powerful, engrossing narrative that raises serious questions about the unchecked use of secrecy by the military to advance its institutional power. (Kirkus starred review)

In this gripping detective tale,science writer Horwitz recreates a day-by-day account of the quest to find thereasons for the mass strandings; the Navy’s resistance and cover-up of theiruse of sonar in the area; and the drawn out struggles between Balcomb, Joel Reynolds, of the Natural Resources Defense Council, and the Navy. . . . Riveting. (Publishers Weekly)

In a riveting and groundbreaking new book, War of the Whales, Joshua Horwitz, chronicles the true story of the 20-year battle led by scientists and environmental activists against military sonar. It reads like the best investigative journalism, with cinematic scenes of strandings and dramatic David-and-Goliath courtroom dramas as activists diligently hold the Navy accountable. A page-turning detective story, War of the Whales... chillingly tracks the US Navy’s culture of secrecy as it collides with environmental groups and grassroots’ demand for transparency. (Brenda Peterson)

For those looking for the perfect non-fiction beach read, you couldn’t do better than War of the Whales: A True Story, Joshua Horwitz’s recounting of an attorney and marine biologist who take on the Navy and the fatal harm they are causing the ocean’s mammals.

Engaging… War of the Whales reads like a novel, but the story it tells is true…a fascinating personal tale.

Important science and a whales narrative

This was a difficult book to listen to mostly due to the many numerous descriptions of dead an or dying whales and or Dolphins....hard to hear but worthy of listening to and probably one of the most important books about science taking on that of well a really childish and unnecessary Navy. Also, if this US Navy is so great then how is it that they nor other countries have not developed something greater than sounds that kill nearly all life within it's wake...

Bad news well presented

I met Ken Balcomb many years ago and was very impressed with his knowledge and compassion for whales. But this book really shows what an amazing person he is wi th h a secret past in submarine tracking in the Navy. Despite his great effort and those of other heroes, the Navy continues to harm whales. The story is very well presented in this book.

Excellent story, a real eye opener

Where does War of the Whales rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is the most informative audio book I've ever listened to. While it's a great dramatic story and and an interesting read, it also provides a wealth of information about whales, how they are being endangered by both commercial and military underwater sonar technologies, and the dedicated whale researchers and environmental activists that are working hard to save them. It is both fascinating and heart-breaking.

What does Holter Graham bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Holter's style brings to life all the drama, mystery,sadness and wonderment that this story contains.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

That whales are being endangered and killed by human-produced sonar systems, that this has been going on for several decades, and how the Navy and even the Supreme Court has turned a blind eye to their plight.

Any additional comments?

While this book is a true story and very informative, it's a great page-turner and reads more like a dramatic fiction.

Fantastic Writing in a Scientific Manner

I loved the way this book was written. Accessable without being simple. I felt the book read more like a novel rather that an historical account. The facts were well presented without getting monotonous. The backstories were intermixed in a way to keep the reader involved and personally I felt it helped the book keep a good pace. Without it the meat if the story would have speed by without a chance for the reader to get involved. 5/5 read and put Laguna San Ignacio on my bucket list.

Great!

An interesting look at both the science and politics of this story. The description of the whales' experience was heartwrenching.