Book Review - Whale: The Illustrated Biography - Princeton University Press

      Mere days ago I was having a discussion with a friend about the exclusion of women from so many aspects of society in certain parts of the world, and the fact that some countries, and their oppressive religions and cultural biases, exclude fifty percent of their population from participation in the success of the nation.

     It is with added pleasure, therefore, that I am reviewing this eminent work by a Sri Lankan female scientist who has forged a path of excellence second to none, becoming a world renowned and respected authority on cetaceans. Bravo, Asha de Vos.

     Paradoxical though it may seem, whales capture the universal admiration of humans; we spend our discretionary dollars to view them, yet at the same time have slaughtered them cruelly and mercilessly, having already driven some species to extinction, and pushing others to the brink. Their demise continues.

     The book, as the subtitle implies, is an illustrated biography. It covers every aspect of the lives of whales from birth to death. Having made the transition back from the land to the sea they are fascinating animals, warm-blooded just like us, giving birth to live young and nurturing them with rich milk. They undertake epic migrations as do their terrestrial counterparts. There are 4,508 migratory species, fully a quarter of which are endangered. The long journeys undertaken by cetaceans are filled with hazards. 

     We learn about the feeding and hunting practices of whales, including the proclivity of some Orcas to target other whales, including giants like Sperm Whales. There is magic in the music of whales and humans are learning to interpret it, while at the same time increasing ocean noise from shipping, mineral exploration and extraction, military exercises, and dynamiting reefs. Human activity severely impacts the ability of whales to engage in vital communication.

     We wring our hands, we say the right things, but the carnage and the population declines continue. From 1900 to 1999, it is estimated that the whaling industry killed  2.9 million whales, in what is considered the largest cull of any animal, in terms of total biomass, in human history.

     

     Our fishing techniques are antithetical to cetacean welfare, as is our ever increasing ocean traffic. Collisions are inevitable, and even the largest Blue Whale is no match for an oil tanker the size of a football field traversing the ocean at full speed.

     We continue to flood the oceans with plastics, with no commitment to stop. Everyone has the ability to wage the war against plastic contamination, but few would even register a protest against a plastic straw, let alone take stronger action. Blue Whales are said to ingest an estimated 10 million pieces of microplastic per day.

     The book is a wonderful compendium of information, well-written, informative, factual; enlightening and disturbing at the same time.

     Please encourage your local library to add a copy to its shelves. Or better still buy your own copy. You'll need to read it more than once.

Whale: The Illustrated Biography - Princeton University Press

Hardcover - US$29.95 - ISBN: 9780691273211

224 pages - 6.5 x 9 inches (16.25 x 22.5 cm)

100 colour illustrations

Publication date: 06 January, 2026