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256 reviews for:
Beneath the Surface: Killer Whales, Seaworld, and the Truth Beyond Blackfish
Howard Chua-Eoan, John Hargrove
4.22 AVERAGE
256 reviews for:
Beneath the Surface: Killer Whales, Seaworld, and the Truth Beyond Blackfish
Howard Chua-Eoan, John Hargrove
4.22 AVERAGE
Audio. One of the few times I’ll give a five-star review even though I doubt I’ll ever reread this. Valuable information that needs to be known and shared - I appreciate the balance of personal reflection, memoir, and facts.
When I was a kid growing up in the 90’s, my family visited the now defunct SeaWorld Cleveland. I remember being completing mesmerized watching the whales and the other sea creatures perform these amazing shows with humans and for a very brief period, I wanted to become a marine biologist so I could learn more about them. John Hargrove was another kid who dreamed of working with the marine wildlife he fell in love with as a kid and his dream became a reality. Hargrove was a senior trainer at SeaWorld who worked for the corporation for almost 20 years. In his memoir, Hargrove explicitly lays out the treatment of orca whales that he witnessed firsthand and he also delves into the lives of orcas in the wild and how they differ from captive whales. I think the most shocking revelations about the book was that trainers at SeaWorld are treated almost as poorly as the whales themselves. Trainers are not required to have any sort of degree or experience with working with marine wildlife to begin their careers (although Hargrove did state he was working on a psychology degree when he became employed). I was also shocked at how little they are paid (Hargrove states that as a senior orca trainer, he was paid about $30,000 a year in the early 2000s). Hargrove described how his body has been ravaged by working with the whales, including knees problems and sinus issues brought on by the force of being pushed at high speeds by the whales through deep and incredibly cold waters. If you’ve seen the movie Blackfish, you will probably be familiar with a lot of the information presented here, but this book deals more with matters of the heart. Hargrove genuinely loved the whales he worked with and it is heartbreaking that he will never be able to see them again, since his relationship was so strong with them. I got teary several times while listening to the audiobook. The audiobook production was great as well, as Hargrove himself reads it. This was an overall fascinating read that I would recommend.
What an eye-opener. The sad fact is killer whales (and some other animals) shouldn't be held in captivity, especially under terrible conditions. Definitely changed my mind.
Highly recommend this book. I felt every emotion the author had. I didn’t need any more convincing to not support SeaWorld, but offer this book to those who are still questioning their feelings towards the company.
This book was amazing. It was well written and easy to read and to understand. Much more than a rehash of Blackfish, John Hargrove here tells his story, and the stories of the whales he loves, as a high level trainer with Sea World. His joy and heartache are equally explored.
The book offers an insiders view of the dangers to the trainers, the inherent cruelty of Orca captivity, and the link between the two. I'm currently also reading a book about North Korean labor camps and some of the explanations for how captivity warps psychology are hauntingly similar.
One of my favorite things about this book is that at the end Mr. Hargrove offers practical solutions. He understands that the captive whale population cannot be dumped back into the oceans to fend for themselves and he had well thought out recommendations to help the whales and Sea World.
I highly recommend this book!
I received an ARC of this book as part of the goodreads first program.
The book offers an insiders view of the dangers to the trainers, the inherent cruelty of Orca captivity, and the link between the two. I'm currently also reading a book about North Korean labor camps and some of the explanations for how captivity warps psychology are hauntingly similar.
One of my favorite things about this book is that at the end Mr. Hargrove offers practical solutions. He understands that the captive whale population cannot be dumped back into the oceans to fend for themselves and he had well thought out recommendations to help the whales and Sea World.
I highly recommend this book!
I received an ARC of this book as part of the goodreads first program.
An amazing book and something that I think everyone should read if they get the chance or are even a little bit intrigued with the topic. John's book brought issues to light that I would have never thought of and made me realize of the true horrors of animal captivity.
WOW, what an eye opening book!
Did you know that whales can rape other whales?
Did you know that SeaWorld artificially inseminates whales?
Did you know that whales can experience eating disorders like bulimia cause they're bored?
Did you know how much stuff SeaWorld does to cover things up?
Read this.
Did you know that whales can rape other whales?
Did you know that SeaWorld artificially inseminates whales?
Did you know that whales can experience eating disorders like bulimia cause they're bored?
Did you know how much stuff SeaWorld does to cover things up?
Read this.
Book #4 of 2016.
Okay, "Beneath the Surface" is definitely read best as a companion book to "Blackfish," and John Hargrove clearly understands that his audience is of those who have already accepted the "Blackfish" koolaid.
That being said, it's a thrilling read from start to finish. "Beneath the Surface" is part memoir, part case study, part action adventure. The portions of the book where Hargrove retells the dangerous encounters that various trainers have had with orcas grip the reader to the page and won't let you stop until you reach the resolution. Because I have seen "Blackfish" multiple times, I remember the outcome of each of these incidents, but the story telling here is fresh enough to keep me engaged nevertheless.
However, constantly comparing "Beneath the Surface" to "Blackfish" ultimately does this book a disservice because it adds a dimension of humanity and a personal touch to this divisive issue. It is clear how much John adored his job and the orcas that he trained and cared for. It is evident on every page. Despite this adoration, John is honest with himself and his bias; he mentions how difficult it is to answer the question "If you knew then what you know now, would you do it again?" because this has been such a huge part of his life for so long. I love the exchange he has with a fan upon the release of "Blackfish" when he tells her: "I don't have the right to tell you or any other child that it's not right for you to have the same dream I had. The responsibility I have is to share my story and to tell you exactly all the good and the bad I witnessed during my career" (245). Critics of this book say that John is too taken by the whales and glamorizes his career. Well, yes, he kind of does, but he also constantly reminds the reader of the abuse not only suffered by the whales but also by their trainers. In fact, one of the events that eventually turned him away from SeaWorld was recognizing that he was essentially being brainwashed, that his opinions were being actively turned against him.
It's clear that John is grateful for the time that he was able to spend with such magnificent beasts and the circumstances that made this possible-- his list of acknowledgements is over 3 pages long with sincere shout-outs to each individual. This is why John's voice is such an important one in this fight: If even someone who was so enamored with this experience can change his opinion, can't we find a way to let these cetaceans live happier lives?
Okay, "Beneath the Surface" is definitely read best as a companion book to "Blackfish," and John Hargrove clearly understands that his audience is of those who have already accepted the "Blackfish" koolaid.
That being said, it's a thrilling read from start to finish. "Beneath the Surface" is part memoir, part case study, part action adventure. The portions of the book where Hargrove retells the dangerous encounters that various trainers have had with orcas grip the reader to the page and won't let you stop until you reach the resolution. Because I have seen "Blackfish" multiple times, I remember the outcome of each of these incidents, but the story telling here is fresh enough to keep me engaged nevertheless.
However, constantly comparing "Beneath the Surface" to "Blackfish" ultimately does this book a disservice because it adds a dimension of humanity and a personal touch to this divisive issue. It is clear how much John adored his job and the orcas that he trained and cared for. It is evident on every page. Despite this adoration, John is honest with himself and his bias; he mentions how difficult it is to answer the question "If you knew then what you know now, would you do it again?" because this has been such a huge part of his life for so long. I love the exchange he has with a fan upon the release of "Blackfish" when he tells her: "I don't have the right to tell you or any other child that it's not right for you to have the same dream I had. The responsibility I have is to share my story and to tell you exactly all the good and the bad I witnessed during my career" (245). Critics of this book say that John is too taken by the whales and glamorizes his career. Well, yes, he kind of does, but he also constantly reminds the reader of the abuse not only suffered by the whales but also by their trainers. In fact, one of the events that eventually turned him away from SeaWorld was recognizing that he was essentially being brainwashed, that his opinions were being actively turned against him.
It's clear that John is grateful for the time that he was able to spend with such magnificent beasts and the circumstances that made this possible-- his list of acknowledgements is over 3 pages long with sincere shout-outs to each individual. This is why John's voice is such an important one in this fight: If even someone who was so enamored with this experience can change his opinion, can't we find a way to let these cetaceans live happier lives?
This should be a necessary read for everyone. I seriously hope that humanity will realize the mistake we have made an eradicate these "parks". I would never take my kids to such a place where we torture animals for our entertainment and give money to a company that supports that.