Blood & Guts: Dispatches from the Whale Wars

by Sam Vincent

I pull on my balaclava and step onto the bridge wing. It’s loud I can hear the rumbles of nine vessels’ engines and the hiss of ten water cannons … Suddenly the bridge is full of refugees from the upper deck. They are blocking my view out the back windows, but their faces – afraid, excited, awestruck – illustrate the looming presence of the Nisshin. I bend my knees and grip the bench, ready for the crunch.

In Blood and Guts , Sam Vincent plunges into the whale wars.

Vincent sets sail with Sea Shepherd, led by the charismatic and abrasive Paul Watson. He attends the recent case at the International Court of Justice, which finds Japan’s ‘scientific’ whaling in the Southern Ocean to be unlawful. And he travels to Japan to investigate why its government doggedly continues to bankroll the unprofitable hunt.

This is a fresh, funny and intelligent look at how Australia has become the most vocal anti-whaling nation on Earth. Vincent skewers hypocrisy and sheds light on motives, noble and otherwise. With Japan planning to relaunch its lethal program in 2015, the whale wars are set to continue. Blood and Guts is a riveting work of immersion journalism that lays bare the forces driving this conflict.

Shortlisted, 2015 Nib Waverley Library Award for Literature
Longlisted, 2015 Walkley Book Award

‘A pull-no-punches report on this controversial and complex issue.’ — Qantas the Australian Way

‘ Blood and Guts is proof that good investigative journalism is alive and well.’ — Readings Monthly

‘This book is a perfect introduction to the whale wars. Whether you’re a whale hugger or a whale hunter, you’ll be charmed by Vincent’s honesty. In his fair-mindedness, he shows affection for both Japan and Sea Shepherd’s ragtag bunch. Blood and Guts is a gem of journalistic writing. The whales, their hunters and their lovers are lucky to have such a chronicler.’ — Australian

‘Revealing, sometimes hilarious’ —New Statesman

‘Authoritative, strangely entertaining’ —Spectator

‘A fair-minded and fascinating account of the whale wars’ —Ausmarine

Sam Vincent’s writing has been published in the Sydney Morning Herald , the Age , the Saturday Paper , Griffith REVIEW , the Monthly , the Australian and Monocle . He lives in Canberra.

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature

354 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2014

About the author

Sam Vincent is a writer, farmer and the author of Blood and Guts: Dispatches from the Whale Wars.

His work has been published in The Monthly, The Saturday Paper and Griffith Review. He won the 2019 Walkley Award for longform feature writing.

Reviews

[Sharah McConville · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blood and Guts is a fascinating investigation into both sides of the Whaling Wars. I have had an interest in Sea Shepherd for many years and am against whale hunting, even for 'scientific research'. I won this book by Canberra-based journalist Sam Vincent through Goodreads Giveaways.

[Connor FitzGerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good breakdown of the real story, from both sides, of the Japanese whaling conquests in the Southern Ocean. Like most things, there is plenty of depth, contradiction, unknown facts and surprises behind the popular headlines on this issue. I must admit, I was expecting an unbalanced left-wing, moral-high ground lashing but Vincent delivers a clear and unbiased appraisal of the situation that leaves the reader well informed and more philosophical on this issue than prior to reading.

[Nikki Balzer · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting read. Sam at least tries to see both sides of the argument and offers his views of moderation. it doesn't stop me from still having a deep emotional rejection at the thought of whale hunting resuming in any form.

[Aprilleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the book difficult to read because it jumped around a bit, but the story it outlines is compelling and well-constructed. I'm not sure the jumping around could be softened without adding a bunch of extraneous transition detail that would lose the audience. I learned a lot about whaling that I didn't expect. I also learned that politicians are pretty much the same everywhere, despite cultural differences.

I came away from the book with a revised opinion of whaling, and fishing. The last section is a little disheartening and exposes the human faults that will condemn the entire planet if we don't wise up and start acting like the thoughtful, civilized people we believe we are. We, sadly, are addicted to causes, particularly ones that tug the heartstrings with easy soundbites and without regard to actual facts. We do more harm than good when we trumpet those soundbites without taking all the facts into account, and this is a good example. I think the information, presented in a shorter, easier-to-digest narrative, could be convincing if more people were exposed to it.

#GoodreadsGiveaway

[Richard Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting, disturbing and a bit saddening. Turns out whale hunting isn’t really about the whales and there’s so much more going on.

[william coote · Rating 5 out of 5]

thorough and insightful

[Alanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very comprehensive and I enjoy how the author gave a balanced narrative, presenting the views from both parties involved.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway, and I'm glad I did; I found it fascinating. Initially, I was a bit thrown off when Vincent ended the Prologue with the suggestion that the whaling war 'sure as hell isn't about whales' (What?) but by the end of the book I understood; the battle is so, so complex, and yes, not always to do with whales.

The book is in three parts; the first is an attempt to understand the anti-whaling perspective, which involves Vincent joining the crew of the Sea Shepherd as they try to stop the Japanese whaling in Antarctic waters. After that, he goes to Japan explore the other side of the 'war', before heading to The Hague to witness an ICJ ruling on the situation.

From the very first chapter, I was forced to think about my own perspective, as Vincent seeks to answer why people (particularly Australians) are so against whaling, sometimes so strongly that the oppose it even when it's done in situations that are legal, sustainable and traditional. Some of the suggestions put forward to explain these opinions were eye-opening; do some people oppose whaling as a way to feel like they're doing the world good (by taking a stand against the slaughter of these defenseless creatures), without actually having to deal with anything closer to home (refugees, forestation)?

The explanations for the Japanese perspective were just as interesting, as was the revelation that Japanese people actually hardly ever eat whale meat. It was interesting to hear the different views of nature the two sides hold (Australians think nature is an unspoiled place, while Japanese see it as ready to tamed) and how Australia and Sea Shepherd have backed Japan into a corner and created a situation where Japan's politicians can't give up the costly practice without looking weak (so they don't).

I started this book somewhat opposed to whaling. I didn't like the idea of whales being slaughtered and bought into the idea that the scientific reasons for Japanese whaling were a sham. But I thought that with so many fish and other animals being taken from the ocean, maybe having too many whales there would throw the food chain out of balance (I've since learned that whale numbers are too low, not too high) so I thought that maybe Japan should be left alone.

Now, I would say I'm still relatively opposed to whaling, but I like to think my position is more educated.

[Andrew McMillen · Rating 4 out of 5]

In his first book, Canberra-based journalist Sam Vincent invests in immersion journalism by smuggling himself on board the Sea Shepherd during its annual trip to Antarctica, where volunteer environmentalists attempt to intervene in the efforts of Japanese whalers through 'direct action', which usually involves blocking parts of the ship from taking whales on board or refuelling. He spends three months embedded on board, and draws vivid scenes from the characters and events that he witnesses. This only makes up the first third of the book, however, as Vincent seeks to examine the 'whale wars' from not only the well-known Australian perspective – though Australia itself was engaged in whaling up until the 1940s – but critically, through the eyes of the Japanese.

Though he isn't able to smuggle himself onboard the Sea Shepherd's opposite number, the Nisshin Maru – there'd probably be another book in that experience – he spends extensive time in Japan, speaking with dissidents and supporters of the country's long-held whaling program, which centres around scientific research. Vincent is fittingly sceptical of both sides of the issue, which tends to devolve into an us-versus-them dichotomy. He concludes that Japan isn't so much pro-whaling as anti-anti-whaling; that its inhabitants are sick of being told what to do by moralistic Westerners, and so they continue to hunt whales even though they don't get much out of it scientifically, commercially or ethically. Through it all, Vincent is a wry and observant narrator. 'Blood & Guts' is a fascinating read, and I can't wait to see what Vincent tries his hand at next.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

In his quest to uncover the real reasons behind the enduring 'Whale Wars' opposing Japanese whalers to Sea Shepherd and the Australian government, Sam Vincent does a wonderful job of carefully sorting through the many layers of this conflict. The author spent three months at sea with Sea Shepherd activists, traveled to Japan to meet with whalers before following the legal battle at the International Court of Justice in the Netherlands.
I had read Sam Vincent's previous article in The Monthly recounting the ramming of whaling ships by Sea Sheperd, and I was hoping for more of the adrenalin-inducing storytelling throughout the whole book. Although this wasn't to be, I felt I gained much more by following Vincent's well-reasoned arguments; from the ethics of killing sentient beings for food, to differing concepts of nature and our relation to the environment, all the way to nationalism and the politics of self-determination, this book discusses all relevant topics.
If you are into pure dichotomies of good vs evil, this book is not for you. Instead, it revels in nuances and the contradictions and double standards inherent in all of us.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as a first read. I found this book to be informative and thought provoking. It presented many sides of the whaling debate and delved into history, philosophical, political and cultural issues while trying to maintain a balanced and essentially unbiased account of the journey to where we now are with the 'whale wars'. For me it certainly opened up my thoughts and awareness around the issues, bringing a realisation that it is far more complex than the individual sides in the war would like us to believe. I did not feel that I was being pushed to take a side, but it did challenge me to try to understand the impacts on everyone, directly or indirectly, involved in this struggle.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blood and Guts is nothing like I expected. Instead of propoganda, this is a highly insightful and balanced look into the complete picture of whaling - its politics, its players, the cultural battles at play. I highly recommend this to anyone wanting commentary on the issue of whaling. Extensively researched, balanced reporting, honestly retold first hand field experiences in both Japan and with the Sea Shepard, this is investigative journalism at its best. I learnt a lot about this conflict from Vincent, despite having a university education which included reference to this issue.

I received this book as a Goodreads free book in exchange for honest feedback.

[Shelley Dickerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intelligent and engaging insight into the symbolic role whales play in the turf war between Japan and Australia over the political no-mans land of the Antarctic. Blood and Guts is well researched and presented in an unbiased context, but most importantly for me was that the delivery was far from dry and academic. The detailed descriptive nature of the writing invested my interest, while the dirty comic relief made it thoroughly enjoyable to read.

[Anne Peachey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received Blood and Guts: Dispatches from the Whales Wars by Sam Vincent from a Goodreads Giveaway.
This book is an un-biased look at Whaling.
Vincent goes to sea for 3 months aboard the Steve Irwin with Sea Shepherd an offshoot of Greenpeace.
He travels to Japan delves into the Japanese side of 'Scientific Whaling'.
Very informative, I discovered a lot of little known facts that were included in this book but found it very easy to read.

[Stedman Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came to this book having only heard one side of the argument. I wanted the book to totally pull apart that argument and to be honest, biased. Alas, it wasn't to be. Sam has done some incredible research and has interviewed all sides in his quest to get to the bottom of the Whale Wars. It is not a simple case of good guys and bad guys, as we have been lead to believe.

[Liam · Rating 3 out of 5]

A thoroughly researched exploration at the various shades of grey in the 'Whale Wars'. Equally critical of all sides involved. A recommended read for anyone interested in environmental issues, NGOs, cultural imperialism, orientalism, or Australian foreign policy.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book, it was hard going in places but good enough to keep going.
I learned quite a bit about a subject I knew nothing about.

[Steve Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received free through a Goodreads giveaway.

A very interesting read, one that has given me a valuable insight into all sides of the whaling issue.