Troubled Waters, Sarah Lazarus, 9780643093898

Troubled Waters

The Changing Fortunes of Whales and Dolphins

Sarah Lazarus

Colour photographs, Illustrations
232 pages, 203 x 135 mm
Publisher: CSIRO PUBLISHING

Hardback - 2006
ISBN: 9780643093898 - AU $ 34.95

This book is a gripping narrative about whales and dolphins, and how their fates became intertwined with human history. The story begins 1000 years ago when hunters first took up harpoons and went to sea in search of the rich rewards of meat, oil and whalebone. Now a highly controversial issue, whale hunts are being superseded by whale watching cruises, but what has been the effect on the survival of cetaceans?

Weaving together the scientific and factual narratives in a lively style, Sarah Lazarus explores just why whales became one of the main harvests of the sea, and what lies ahead for cetaceans.

Brings the story of our relationship with whales and dolphins right up to date
Readable science history with wide appeal
Covers key topics such as climate change, pollution and modern whaling

Introduction
A whale of a tale
In the beginning
On the evolution of whales and dolphins
Blubber, baleen and liquid gold
On the early history of whaling
Armed and dangerous
On industrial-scale whaling
A conflict of interests
On modern whaling
Sharing the sea
On habitat loss, the perils of fishing nets, and loud noises
Hot water and heavy metal
On climate change and chemical pollution
Close encounters
On captivity, collaboration and intelligence
Looking ahead
On the future of whales and dolphins

View a sample from Troubled Waters.

"This beautifully presented little hardback book provides a thorough and detailed overview of the effects of hunting and other human activities on whales throughout modern history. Lazarus' writing, unlike the subject matter, is both palatable and easy to digest. She deals with the scientific, conservation and humanitarian debates about whaling clearly and consicely and with balance."
Danielle Clode, Environment and History, No. 13, 2007

"This is a book for novice or expert alike; written in an accessible and easy style Lazarus takes us by the hand through the history of our favourite cousins; sometime gently, sometimes the journey is macarbe."
Sarah Curran, AMSA Bulletin, Summer 2007

Sarah Lazarus is an Honorary Fellow of the University of Melbourne.

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