Namu, Quest for the Killer Whale

by Ted Griffin

Author Ted Griffin's unusual quest, to befriend a killer what at a time when most people believed the worthless deadly predators, cause many to doubt his sanity. When no oceanarium would risk purchasing an orca accidentally captured by fishermen, Ted bought the 4 ton behemoth. His problems were just beginning. He must devise some method of transporting the whale 400 miles to Seattle. Ted's account of that remarkable journey with Namu was published in National Geographic in 1966. Certain of the orcas' powerful intellect and communication ability, Ted sought to learn their language. Read this fascinating true account and learn what kind of man has the capacity to love a killer whale, and earn the whale's love in return.

237 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1982

Reviews

[Sabrina · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a bit of history that is disturbing to read. Ted Griffin the author thinks very highly of himself, a bit too much really. While he did do a lot to bring the Orca/killer whale into the limelight and help people lose their fear and hatred of them while learning about them scientifically the way he did it and why he did it is/was abhorrent. This guy forsook his family and their wellbeing to fulfill a whim he had as a boy. He was of the working opinion that he had to do this at ANY cost and because of the time period he lived in he was allowed to. That being to get to know and understand something better it was okay to hurt it/kill it in order to help it (really him and his whim). What he did set off a chain reaction that has serious repercussions today.

This book needed editing. It's just a stream of consciousness in which he boasts about himself and how great he is for doing what he did with no fact notation or real quotes or interview. There are quite a few mistakes due to this and that fact that it probably didn't have a real editor.

[Lizzy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Poorly written - tries to make it exciting but awkward writing style. Maybe he had good intentions but lots of cringe-worthy behavior and he writes his thoughts strangely. Hard to take him seriously. The irritating sort of person who puts his own childish wants before the wellbeing of animals. Thinks very highly of himself, even though he worked obsessively (to the detriment of himself and those around him) to capture orcas for captivity (apparently he engaged in some questionable behavior to cover up some of the rougher parts too). Interesting read but don't buy into his self-hype.

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

The true story of Namu, the first killer whale to be successfully kept in captivity, as told by the man who cared for him. A beautiful story of friendship between man and whale.

[Ken Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author and subject of this autobiographical book is the grand uncle (grandfather's brother) of a friend of mine. The Griffin family are early and prominent residents of the Puget Sound region and Ted Griffin, as much as anybody, was the catalyst in the 60's for the capture/domestification of Killer Whales (Orcas) at parks like SeaWorld and the resulting transitional perception of Killer Whales from that of a savage Great White Shark to loving, intelligent human like dolphins or porpoise. He loved the whales and led to a greater understanding fo them, but also triggered the domino effect of fewer whales in our Puget Sound and the resulting unnatural and borderline cruel conditions at the various sea parks worldwide. I was a frequent visitor of Marine World Africa/USA in the San Francisco Bay Area growing up. It is a good book for any resident of the Puget Sound region who loves, tracks, and has seen our Orca pods swimming freely and for any lover of Orcas, marine parks, the movie Free Willie, and have seen the documenatry Blackfish.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read, interesting insight about orcas going from being hunted to being saved.

[Zachary Ransom · Rating 4 out of 5]

The true story of the first live Orca captured and kept in Seattle, WA.
Autographed copy.

[Allan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book definitely reflects that old proverb; "The road to Hell is paved with
good intentions." Captive whales and the aquarium industry seems to be the recent cause de jour' for many. The recent death of Tilikum the killer whale has been in the news. This book details the beginnings of the capturing of killer whales for the aquarium trade. Namu the whale was the first. The author pioneered the capture of these animals and displayed them to the general public. Even then this was considered controversial. The author was obsessive in trying to accomplish this. This book also details the founding of the Seattle aquarium, perhaps one of the best aquariums in the world. Namu was also the beginning of the change in the perception of these animals; from being ignored, feared, or shot for spot to being animals worth consideration. Personalization of Namu focused the attention of the public on these amazing animals. An interesting read for those who love marine life.