Orca: Visions of the Killer Whale

From Publishers Weekly
From its haunting cover to the playful shot on its last page, this book is filled with enchanting photographs and artistic renderings of orcas by assorted contributors. It also contains detailed prose by Knudtson (Wisdom of Elders: Honoring Sacred Visions of Nature) about the history and evolution, habits and habitats, language and communication of the enormous animal. Although the author admits that "a human being can never fully grasp the interior reality of another life form," he notes that "few subjects present a greater challenge than does Orcinus Orca, the killer whale." Quotations from writers such as Cormac McCarthy and D.H. Lawrence encourage readers to reflect upon the power and beauty of orcas. A foreword by David Suzuki reminds readers, without being remotely preachy, to consider the plight of orcas kept in captivity. And there’s even a little sex-the author describes the "prolonged, sensual, courtship-like interactions between resident orcas," while explaining that no one has ever captured images of these private creatures actually mating in the wild.Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.


From School Library Journal
YA. A visual feast with additional textual nourishment. Knudtson presents a well-rounded look at the orca species, the animal itself, and its behavior. Logically arranged, the book opens with a historical view of the killer whale by indigenous peoples. This is followed by chapters discussing biological, anatomical, and social aspects of the orca written in clear prose. The effective conclusion discusses the creatures in light of present environmental concerns. The text is divided into easily identified subsections, and the index is sufficiently detailed. Outstanding, full-page photographs with clear, full-sentence captions appear throughout. A worthy purchase for curious naturalists and oceanography students.?Claudia Moore, W. T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VACopyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Book News, Inc.
A reverent and scientific explication of the orca whale, combining both cultural and historical perspectives with the biological facts concerning the "killer whale." Knudtson discusses tribal identification with the orca, compares the intelligent whale to landlocked humans and wolves, and describes in detail the hunting, mating, and communication talents of the orca whale. Beautiful color photographs enhance the text with spectacular captures such as an underwater photo of an orca mother giving birth. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.


Review
This magnificent book reveals the long relationship between humanity and whales, assembling our knowledge about them from many different perspectives. Human beings and nature have been on a dangerous collision course in this century. The fate of orcas will tell us whether our species can learn that we must share the earth with other species, not compete with them.

-- From the foreword by David Suzuki

The powers and beauty and mystery of the orca seem never to lose their appeal. This book is an appreciation of the orca's gift to humankind, and Peter Knudtson's appraisal of that gift is among the best that I've seen.

-- Victor B. Scheffer, Ph.D.

Chairman (Retired), U.S. Marine

Mammal Commission


Book Description
The orca, also known as the killer whale, is one of the most intriguing and mysterious animals in the world. This lavishly illustrated portrait of this almost mythical sea mammal offers visions of the orca throughout the ages and across cultures, describing its hunting techniques and refined sonar and communication abilities. Full-color photographs capture whales breaching, playing, hunting, and caring for their young. The book also discusses the ethics of captivity and the environmental threats to whale populations. A foreword by internationally acclaimed scientist and environmentalist David Suzuki is included.


Buy from Amazon     Compare Prices

YAA visual feast with additional textual nourishment. Knudtson presents a well-rounded look at the orca species, the animal itself, and its behavior. Logically arranged, the book opens with a historical view of the killer whale by indigenous peoples. This is followed by chapters discussing biological, anatomical, and social aspects of the orca written in clear prose. The effective conclusion discusses the creatures in light of present environmental concerns. The text is divided into easily identified subsections, and the index is sufficiently detailed. Outstanding, full-page photographs with clear, full-sentence captions appear throughout. A worthy purchase for curious naturalists and oceanography students.Claudia Moore, W. T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA


Buy from Barnes & Noble     Compare Prices