Eye of the Whale: Epic Passage From Baja To Siberia

by Dick Russell, Eben Given

Eye of the Whale focuses on one great whale in particularthe coastal-traveling California gray whale. Gray whales make the longest migration of any mammal - from the lagoons of Baja California to the feeding grounds of the Bering Strait between Alaska and Siberia (nearly 6,000 miles). That the gray whale exists today is nothing short of miraculous. Whaling fleets twice massacred the species to near extinction - first during the nineteenth century and again during the early part of the twentieth century.

Genres: Nature, Nonfiction, Science, Animals

688 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Justina Hayden · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 2005, my wife and I, along with 6 kids and grandkids, spent a week at the San Ignacio Lagoon in Baja California. This lagoon is where thousands of gray whales come each year to give birth to their calves in the protected warm water. The upper lagoon, where the calves are born, is completely off bounds. As the calves grow, their mothers move slowly further south. Here the Mexican government allows a limited number of boats (never more than 16 at any one time) to accept paying guests. At that time, the rate was $40/half-day/person. The boats are not allowed to chase the whales. They go out and sit AND THE MOTHERS BRING THEIR CALVES TO THE BOATS to be petted. We went out every day for 4 days; the experience was transcendent.

This book is about the fight--still ongoing--to keep the lagoon protected and unpolluted. There are many Japanese firms who want access to this water, and the lagoons status is seemingly always fragile, despite land trusts and other strategies to make it safe forever.

It's well written. Read the book, then GO AND MEET THE WHALES! You'll never be the same.

[LeeAnn Heringer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book because I'm headed to San Ignacio next week and hoped to learn more about the whales. But this book is about the humans, about how the author reacts to the whales, how whalers in the 1800s reacted to the whales, how the Mexicans react to the whales, how the Siberian and Alaskan first people react to the whales, the scientists that study the whales. There are poems and art and singing school children. Very little about the whales themselves.

This book is all about the "I" of the author and his emotional journey and how he felt looking into the eye of the whale. And with this kind of book you need to really like the author because it's all about him and I didn't. It doesn't help that I see a pattern that people involved with whales as being very star struck, very concern with celebrity -- then I had lunch with Lauren Hutton, the I spent two hours with Christopher Reeves, two days with Bobby Kennedy, Pierce Brosnan was very pissed -- and I just don't care.

I just wish there was more about the gray whales in this book.

[Jennifer Coffey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Through history of human interaction and discovery of the whales. Less about the actual whales. It was a really long and bit of a belabored read. I had to skim thought the second half of the 700ish pages

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful journey of discovery about the gray whales, what we know about them, and how we are trying to protect them. It was a tad longer than I expected, but worth the long read!

[Jill Oxborough]

To indigenous carvings on the walls of caves in Vancouver Island to Herman Melville’s Moby Dick, whales have been an interest to humans all over the world for many years. The gray whale contains a sense of mystery surrounding its migratory patterns and friendly behavior that scientists and the people that these whales come into contact with have tried to understand. This book, Eye of the Whale: Epic Passage from Baja to Siberia, gives an in-depth overview of the biological, environmental and political aspects dealing with the whale species. As the author explores these different factors surrounding the gray whale, the reader comes away with a clear understanding of the interactions between humans and nature and the harm that can be done when this interaction is not recognized.
The author, an environmental journalist by the name of Dick Russell, expresses a passion for the natural world especially when it comes to the ocean. His previous work includes activism in ocean dumping and protection of endangered ocean species. His passion for the environment is apparent as he talks about his personal journey and experience with studying the gray whale. Throughout the book, the reader follows Russell to different places around the world where these gray whales, mate, feed, calve and are hunted. While learning about the natural endeavors of the gray whale the reader gets a clear description of the different settings that are laid out throughout the book. It was easy for me to picture myself peering at a pregnant female whale in the shallow waters near the Baja Peninsula or talking with Makah tribe members about their traditions in Washington. I enjoyed the language the author used to paint these pictures, making the book more enjoyable and more personal.
The author’s passion for the environment is also apparent in the common theme he expresses throughout the book, the theme of human existence and its effect on the natural world. The author keeps this question open as he tells stories and gives accounts of the gray whale throughout history. This historical perspective gets the reader to think about how treatment of these whales has changed over time and has the reader question the motive that humans have when interacting with the natural world. The author introduces a variety of stories within multiple cultures, occurring throughout our history. By giving plentiful examples the reader is more capable of creating their own opinion on the issues at hand. In most of the chapters the author poses questions to the reader such as “Do the whales belong to humanity or to a corporation?” and “ Have humans always been the predator?” The author then gives his answer to these questions not necessarily through opinions but by using case studies and real world examples that hint at his thoughts. By using this style of writing the author allows the reader to think critically and independently.
The book is split into three rather large sections and within each section is a mix of science, politics and cultural connections. The book emphasizes each of these individually as well as mixing the categories. One character, besides the whales, that Russell comes back to throughout the whole book is Charles Melville Scammon. Scammon was one of the first whalers and was even thought to singlehandedly bring the gray whale into almost extinction. Russell intertwines the story of Scammon with his theme of human impact by sharing the metamorphosis of Scammon throughout the book. By the end of the story we see the shift of Scammon from whaler, to explorer, to writer, to whale expert. Russell eloquently compares Scammon to mankind today, “His personal metamorphism marked the start of a shift of consciousness about the creatures who inhabit our oceans. They are not there to simply exploit but to appreciate and to learn about.” I especially appreciated this quote, relating it to Earth’s resources in general and the disposable society we live in today.
With no previous or personal experience with the gray whale, this book has opened an unexpected appreciation in me for this amazing animal. Russell takes scientific explanations that I normally would find uninteresting, such as whale evolution and made it meaningful. Not only do I have a better understanding of the behavior of the gray whale but also I can now comprehend the connection between science, culture and politics.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

How to describe the migration of the amazing grey whales from the arctic to Mexico every year? This book is filled with the majesty, intelligence and gentle nature of these giants. I came away with an even greater respect for arguably the greatest creatures we share a planet with. Their socialization within their pods, with their calves and with the humans who try to make contact with them is boundless.

If we're ever contacted by extraterrestrials, let's hope they talk to the whales first; perhaps then they'll spare our little planet and assume we're all as civilized as these ambassadors of peace and harmony.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent history of the gray whale which covers all aspects, is well-researched and well written. For me, it was a page-turner. It is hard to believe that such a subject could be so entertaining, but it is.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a marvelous natural, economic, and cultural history. Beginning in a small lagoon in Baja California, taking us around the world. It will open your eyes. Keep them open. I mean today. Always.

[Catharine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything possible to know about the Grey Whale and it's migration, amazing survival, and most intimate relationship with humans. Quite the read!

[Yolanda]

npr made me do it.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tells you everything you could possibly want to know about gray whales.

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took a long time to read because of the amount of detail and the anger I felt regarding whaling tactics historically and now. I had to put the book down more than once. Overall, very well done.

[Ginny Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happy I plugged thru it (600 pp). I now see whales differently. 4/19

[Marsha]

Steph Dutton and Heidi, bnb hosts