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255 reviews for:
Beneath the Surface: Killer Whales, Seaworld, and the Truth Beyond Blackfish
Howard Chua-Eoan, John Hargrove
4.21 AVERAGE
255 reviews for:
Beneath the Surface: Killer Whales, Seaworld, and the Truth Beyond Blackfish
Howard Chua-Eoan, John Hargrove
4.21 AVERAGE
This was a very good book, examining the truth behind Sea World. Parts of it made me nauseous, almost to the point I couldn't finish. It will make you never want to go to SeaWorld again. The author isn't a radical animal rights activist, either, but a former SeaWorld trainer.
I looked forward to reading this book for months. I am absolutely disappointed by this book.
I wanted it because I thought it would be about the cruelty of SeaWorld and captivity of its whales. I thought it was going to be a former employee shedding some light on what happens backstage.
Not so.
Most of the book, is in fact, his autobiography. Most of what he has to say about SeaWorld is heavily touched with nostalgia and regret. Many phrases about how he regrets the loss of being able to swim with the whales. How he regards whale work as a "lost art."
Yes, I know that working with a whale in the way that he did for 20 years would be incredible and exciting, but I think talking about it in such a lighthearted way doesn't do the whales themselves any justice. The whales don't deserve captivity and all the negative health affects that have come with it.
Hargrove spends so much time talking about how special and wonderful he is, I think this book he wrote was more to glorify himself than to share any feeling about SeaWorld. Honestly though, any feelings he's had about SeaWorld in the book so far seem to be bittersweet.
Go watch Blackfish or read Death at SeaWorld. This book has no science and no heart.
I gave up on this book because of its lack of science. He says right out the gate he's not a scientist. This book relies heavily on his feelings, and the way he talks about himself is very skewed, he knows he's the best. He's arrogant and cocky.
This book does more harm than good to the anti-captivity movement he's trying to support.
I wanted it because I thought it would be about the cruelty of SeaWorld and captivity of its whales. I thought it was going to be a former employee shedding some light on what happens backstage.
Not so.
Most of the book, is in fact, his autobiography. Most of what he has to say about SeaWorld is heavily touched with nostalgia and regret. Many phrases about how he regrets the loss of being able to swim with the whales. How he regards whale work as a "lost art."
Yes, I know that working with a whale in the way that he did for 20 years would be incredible and exciting, but I think talking about it in such a lighthearted way doesn't do the whales themselves any justice. The whales don't deserve captivity and all the negative health affects that have come with it.
Hargrove spends so much time talking about how special and wonderful he is, I think this book he wrote was more to glorify himself than to share any feeling about SeaWorld. Honestly though, any feelings he's had about SeaWorld in the book so far seem to be bittersweet.
Go watch Blackfish or read Death at SeaWorld. This book has no science and no heart.
I gave up on this book because of its lack of science. He says right out the gate he's not a scientist. This book relies heavily on his feelings, and the way he talks about himself is very skewed, he knows he's the best. He's arrogant and cocky.
This book does more harm than good to the anti-captivity movement he's trying to support.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
It is a paradoxical empire: the chemically processed water in the pools is purer than that of the ocean, but it is not anywhere near what is natural for the whales; the orcas cavort for the crowds but they do not get enough physical exercise because there is not enough room to allow them to swim normally. These whales live lives of quiet desperation and intense boredom. It is the kind of ennui that can be fatal -- to both whale and human. - John Hargrove
Slightly disjointed writing but still a great, fast read... Was nice to be able to read more about close up encounters with the whales. Felt sad when the book was over.
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Such a heartbreaking and interesting read. I want to learn more these amazing animals; especially in the wild.
informative
medium-paced