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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
Written in 1988, Whale Nation is a call to arms: Williams discusses the beauty, intelligence and majesty of the whale, and uses this as a plea and a polemic against the practise of whaling. This book has two major problems: firstly, that it is of its time, and it much of the argument is dated, and secondly that poetry that has such an obvious message can feel amateur or lack depth. However, this remains an important and moving book. The first half of it contains Williams' Whale Nation poem, which begins with clear, precise descriptions of whales and their behaviour, and then goes on to explore commercial whaling. The second section, which is longer, is a selection of quotes about whales and whaling, from a variety of sources: primarily eye-witness accounts of whales, and scientific books or paper about whales, but also literary texts and poems. Both these sections are fascinating: Williams has a keen eye for the details that are most important and compelling, as well as a great love for the whale. His poem sets out a lot of information about whales in a clear and interesting way, and the quotes he selects are relevant and wide-ranging. When he writes in praise of the whale, his poetry comes alive, and transcends his polemic tone.
At the present time, while whaling continues, it is at smaller scale than in 1988, and it is not the primary threat on whales. Whale numbers have increased since the end of large-scale commercial whaling, and in some ways, the anti-whaling campaign of the 1980s was an enormous success. However, whales remain under threat of extinction, as does all the life in our oceans, due to climate change and pollution, and whales are particularly under threat because they are so hugely impacted by undersea noises created by humans, such as seismic sounding. The sections about hunting in this book feel a little like Williams is preaching to the converted, and they are also not as relevant as they were at the time of his writing. Whales are in as much danger as they were in 1988, but not for the same reasons.
However, this books provides a wonderful snapshot of our understanding of whales in the 1980s, and the anti-whaling campaign. It also contains fascinating and beautiful photographs of whales, and contains a sensitive portrait of whales and dolphins as individuals, and of their species as a whole. I was glad to have read it.
At the present time, while whaling continues, it is at smaller scale than in 1988, and it is not the primary threat on whales. Whale numbers have increased since the end of large-scale commercial whaling, and in some ways, the anti-whaling campaign of the 1980s was an enormous success. However, whales remain under threat of extinction, as does all the life in our oceans, due to climate change and pollution, and whales are particularly under threat because they are so hugely impacted by undersea noises created by humans, such as seismic sounding. The sections about hunting in this book feel a little like Williams is preaching to the converted, and they are also not as relevant as they were at the time of his writing. Whales are in as much danger as they were in 1988, but not for the same reasons.
However, this books provides a wonderful snapshot of our understanding of whales in the 1980s, and the anti-whaling campaign. It also contains fascinating and beautiful photographs of whales, and contains a sensitive portrait of whales and dolphins as individuals, and of their species as a whole. I was glad to have read it.
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Written in 1988, Whale Nation is a call to arms: Williams discusses the beauty, intelligence and majesty of the whale, and uses this as a plea and a polemic against the practise of whaling. This book has two major problems: firstly, that it is of its time, and it much of the argument is dated, and secondly that poetry that has such an obvious message can feel amateur or lack depth. However, this remains an important and moving book. The first half of it contains Williams' Whale Nation poem, which begins with clear, precise descriptions of whales and their behaviour, and then goes on to explore commercial whaling. The second section, which is longer, is a selection of quotes about whales and whaling, from a variety of sources: primarily eye-witness accounts of whales, and scientific books or paper about whales, but also literary texts and poems. Both these sections are fascinating: Williams has a keen eye for the details that are most important and compelling, as well as a great love for the whale. His poem sets out a lot of information about whales in a clear and interesting way, and the quotes he selects are relevant and wide-ranging. When he writes in praise of the whale, his poetry comes alive, and transcends his polemic tone.
At the present time, while whaling continues, it is at smaller scale than in 1988, and it is not the primary threat on whales. Whale numbers have increased since the end of large-scale commercial whaling, and in some ways, the anti-whaling campaign of the 1980s was an enormous success. However, whales remain under threat of extinction, as does all the life in our oceans, due to climate change and pollution, and whales are particularly under threat because they are so hugely impacted by undersea noises created by humans, such as seismic sounding. The sections about hunting in this book feel a little like Williams is preaching to the converted, and they are also not as relevant as they were at the time of his writing. Whales are in as much danger as they were in 1988, but not for the same reasons.
However, this books provides a wonderful snapshot of our understanding of whales in the 1980s, and the anti-whaling campaign. It also contains fascinating and beautiful photographs of whales, and contains a sensitive portrait of whales and dolphins as individuals, and of their species as a whole. I was glad to have read it.
At the present time, while whaling continues, it is at smaller scale than in 1988, and it is not the primary threat on whales. Whale numbers have increased since the end of large-scale commercial whaling, and in some ways, the anti-whaling campaign of the 1980s was an enormous success. However, whales remain under threat of extinction, as does all the life in our oceans, due to climate change and pollution, and whales are particularly under threat because they are so hugely impacted by undersea noises created by humans, such as seismic sounding. The sections about hunting in this book feel a little like Williams is preaching to the converted, and they are also not as relevant as they were at the time of his writing. Whales are in as much danger as they were in 1988, but not for the same reasons.
However, this books provides a wonderful snapshot of our understanding of whales in the 1980s, and the anti-whaling campaign. It also contains fascinating and beautiful photographs of whales, and contains a sensitive portrait of whales and dolphins as individuals, and of their species as a whole. I was glad to have read it.
Documentary poetry is cool but this felt a little too david attenborough at times with its evocation of wonder
At the height of my love affair with the ocean and its giants, I found this book. Stunning photographs and an epic poem written, seemingly, by the whales themselves. A new edition comes with a CD of whalesongs...the completion of a symphony.
Reading Rush: book six
Challenge: read a book completely outside
*3.75* *I didn’t read the excerpts of other people’s work, just Williams’*
This was good. It was extremely political and, whilst I appreciate the message, I felt like Williams just didn’t take enough time to build up the beauty of whales (like Falling for a Dolphin did). I think that if a few extra pages of describing the majesty of the whale, its hunting would have been more impactful.
Like the nerd I am, I was living for the Greek Mythology references (I capitalise it because it’s so important to me).
I couldn’t stop laughing at the description of the blue whale’s “ten gallon testicles” and how its “penis is nine feet long, which may require additional self-control”. I should probably be more mature by now, huh?
Challenge: read a book completely outside
*3.75* *I didn’t read the excerpts of other people’s work, just Williams’*
This was good. It was extremely political and, whilst I appreciate the message, I felt like Williams just didn’t take enough time to build up the beauty of whales (like Falling for a Dolphin did). I think that if a few extra pages of describing the majesty of the whale, its hunting would have been more impactful.
Like the nerd I am, I was living for the Greek Mythology references (I capitalise it because it’s so important to me).
I couldn’t stop laughing at the description of the blue whale’s “ten gallon testicles” and how its “penis is nine feet long, which may require additional self-control”. I should probably be more mature by now, huh?
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Yes, it gets a little preachy. Yes, it romanticizes whales in the hippie extreme. Yes, it's another one of those "the real monster is MAN" types of nature poetry...but damn, if I didn't enjoy every single second of it. I particularly recommend the audiobook, with its skillful reading by the author himself (along with two other talented performers), mixed with superb choices in classical music and of course Dr. Roger Payne's world-famous recording of Song of the Humpback Whale.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Well, that was an emotional rollercoaster! Williams divides the book into two parts: First, his poem, which is itself of two halves, then a series of extracts from books, scientific studies and historical reports.
The poem in blank verse begins with a meditation on whales and their environment, unfolding the brutal exploitation of both by humans, which is gut-wrenchingly tragic.
The extracts similarly begin gently with descriptions of our fascination with these amazing animals, then crashing into the genocide we've perpetrated on them through the industrial revolution and global capitalism - utterly heartbreaking. Williams is kind enough to end the book on a gentler note again. Throughout, the accompanying photographs are by turns gorgeous and horrific.
A wonderfully moving book which made me marvel and love, feel angry and ashamed. Unequivocally 5
The poem in blank verse begins with a meditation on whales and their environment, unfolding the brutal exploitation of both by humans, which is gut-wrenchingly tragic.
The extracts similarly begin gently with descriptions of our fascination with these amazing animals, then crashing into the genocide we've perpetrated on them through the industrial revolution and global capitalism - utterly heartbreaking. Williams is kind enough to end the book on a gentler note again. Throughout, the accompanying photographs are by turns gorgeous and horrific.
A wonderfully moving book which made me marvel and love, feel angry and ashamed. Unequivocally 5