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255 reviews for:
Beneath the Surface: Killer Whales, Seaworld, and the Truth Beyond Blackfish
Howard Chua-Eoan, John Hargrove
4.22 AVERAGE
255 reviews for:
Beneath the Surface: Killer Whales, Seaworld, and the Truth Beyond Blackfish
Howard Chua-Eoan, John Hargrove
4.22 AVERAGE
Didn't feel any more revealing than Blackfish.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty
3.5/5
If you care deeply about the subject of this book, it's worth reading. The first half is choppy; some of the chapters actually read as if they're out of order, and it's evident when the co-writer takes the reins vs. when you're reading Hargrove's voice. But the book comes into its own in the second half, finally becoming an insightful read and a joy to finish.
If you care deeply about the subject of this book, it's worth reading. The first half is choppy; some of the chapters actually read as if they're out of order, and it's evident when the co-writer takes the reins vs. when you're reading Hargrove's voice. But the book comes into its own in the second half, finally becoming an insightful read and a joy to finish.
I really enjoyed this book. John Hargrove was an Orca trainer at SeaWorld (in 2 different locations throughout his career) and he discusses his love for the whales, his connections with them, as well as their aggressions towards him and other trainers. At first we are with him as a child whose dream is to become a trainer with the Orcas, becoming one, supporting SeaWorld, and protecting that company (even though he knows there are problems) because he believe it is the only way to protect the whales themselves, as well as the job he has worked so hard to attain (and if he leaves he will no longer be able to work with some of his best friends: the whales). He walks us through how his mind slowly realized that SeaWorld did not care about the whales and their well-being or the safety of the trainers. Once he started reading scientific literature on real Orcas in the wild as well as studies on Orcas in captivity he realized that all of the things he was constantly fighting SeaWorld for (and not receiving) was what the whales really needed. That the aggression was their only relief at times, and that although they had strong relationships with the whales it did not change that the trainers were the jailers and the whales the prisoners. Hargrove points out in his book that although you may like the jailer that doesn't change that you are in jail and he has control, whereas you have none. I found this part, near the end, to be particularly moving:
"... (about speaking in "Blackfish") I would be a source of information fresh from two decades as a trainer at the corporation. I was working for SeaWorld during the time Alexis and Dawn were killed. My experience was so recent I could testify to the ongoing protocols and procedures of SeaWorld's killer whale program. Carol Ray, one of the former trainers who appeared in "Blackfish" told me after the documentary's New York City premiere that "I wished so badly you were going to speak and say that it wasn't like that anymore at SeaWorld. I wished more than anything you were going to say things had changed and their lives were better now. But you confirmed it's actually worse." She said she had hoped that the bad things she remembered from the 1980s and 1990s were things of the past and that I would say, "That doesn't happen anymore." There was such sadness in her eyes."
I think that we all, at one time had a fascination with SeaWorld, Zoos, Aquariums, Circuses, and other venues of entertainment that thrive off of the exploitation of captured animals. It is breathtaking to see such a creature before you, that you may have never seen otherwise. But we learn in this book that although the Shamu Show was magical for the audience, and perhaps for the most part to the trainers themselves, there was a dark side that the audience did not see. Hargrove informs us of the sometimes tense feelings between the whales and the complex social structure that occurs as the whales change SeaWorld parks, and mothers have their calves taken from them (which in the wild calves stay with their mothers and that pod their entire lives). We also see how the whales bodies are different in captivity versus the wild, as well as their behavior towards each other as well as humans. Though he loves the experiences and friendships he had with the whales, Hargrove lets us know that their lives are not what they should be. That they could have better lives in captivity, but we just don't. We soon see that it is, like everything else in this world, about the bottom line. Conservation and science are not involved at all, it is about making money.
"... (about speaking in "Blackfish") I would be a source of information fresh from two decades as a trainer at the corporation. I was working for SeaWorld during the time Alexis and Dawn were killed. My experience was so recent I could testify to the ongoing protocols and procedures of SeaWorld's killer whale program. Carol Ray, one of the former trainers who appeared in "Blackfish" told me after the documentary's New York City premiere that "I wished so badly you were going to speak and say that it wasn't like that anymore at SeaWorld. I wished more than anything you were going to say things had changed and their lives were better now. But you confirmed it's actually worse." She said she had hoped that the bad things she remembered from the 1980s and 1990s were things of the past and that I would say, "That doesn't happen anymore." There was such sadness in her eyes."
I think that we all, at one time had a fascination with SeaWorld, Zoos, Aquariums, Circuses, and other venues of entertainment that thrive off of the exploitation of captured animals. It is breathtaking to see such a creature before you, that you may have never seen otherwise. But we learn in this book that although the Shamu Show was magical for the audience, and perhaps for the most part to the trainers themselves, there was a dark side that the audience did not see. Hargrove informs us of the sometimes tense feelings between the whales and the complex social structure that occurs as the whales change SeaWorld parks, and mothers have their calves taken from them (which in the wild calves stay with their mothers and that pod their entire lives). We also see how the whales bodies are different in captivity versus the wild, as well as their behavior towards each other as well as humans. Though he loves the experiences and friendships he had with the whales, Hargrove lets us know that their lives are not what they should be. That they could have better lives in captivity, but we just don't. We soon see that it is, like everything else in this world, about the bottom line. Conservation and science are not involved at all, it is about making money.
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
I thought I would get bored with this book but once I started I couldn't put it down. Rare does a book like this keep me so engrossed that I don't read other novels in between. This isn't a ranting or lecture or call to arms. Through the eyes of someone who has an emotional bond with the orcas, John explains in detail what life in captivity compared to the wild means for these beautiful creatures. Not just the physical damage of living in a tank but the psychological damage. and how as a trainer he went from being brainwashed to slowly seeing the damage being done. He doesn't bash SeaWorld but lays out the PR tactics and corporate apathy for the heartbeats that made them millions. The trainers had nothing but love and devotion to the orcas in their care and it shines through in John's words. His heart ached for these amazing, social creatures. I loved this book, though at times it was difficult to read. Who are we as humans to steal lives, break apart families, corrupt bloodlines, force to perform, and control the eating, breeding and minds of another creature for the sake of a dollar?
challenging
dark
informative
sad
fast-paced
Rating: Absolutely Loved It
I read this book in a weekend, and I couldn't put it down. I honestly loved it so much. It is written by John Hargrove, a trainer at SeaWorld for about two decades who became an animal rights advocate and spoke out in Blackfish.
We got a memoir of John's time as a trainer with deep dives on the whales he worked with as well as an expose on all the bs that goes behind the scenes at SeaWorld. I have always loved dolphins and orcas so this book was simultaneously thrilling and horrifying to see behind the scenes. It was incredibly difficult to read at times, but I'm glad I did. I learned a lot and I still deeply love marine mammals.
I read this book in a weekend, and I couldn't put it down. I honestly loved it so much. It is written by John Hargrove, a trainer at SeaWorld for about two decades who became an animal rights advocate and spoke out in Blackfish.
We got a memoir of John's time as a trainer with deep dives on the whales he worked with as well as an expose on all the bs that goes behind the scenes at SeaWorld. I have always loved dolphins and orcas so this book was simultaneously thrilling and horrifying to see behind the scenes. It was incredibly difficult to read at times, but I'm glad I did. I learned a lot and I still deeply love marine mammals.
informative
reflective
medium-paced
informative
sad
medium-paced
Amply demonstrates the many cruelties of imprisoning orcas. It’s difficult for me to comprehend how anyone visits SeaWorld and similar facilities for entertainment; it hurts my heart to see even photographs of orcas so exploited. This book details how highly complex, social, emotional and intelligent orcas are, and how their natural habitat can never be replicated in tanks, their needs can never be met in captivity.