"This new series promises to be addictive." - Desmond Morris"

Whales are the largest animals ever to have lived on the earth: the longest recorded was over 33 metres long, the heaviest more than 171,000 kgs; a large Blue Whale's tongue alone can weigh more than an elephant. Whales can stay underwater for more than an hour, some speculate that they can live for up to 200 years, and they are among the most intelligent animals known to humanity. "Whale" recounts the evolutionary and ecological background, as well as the cultural history, of these extraordinary mammals, long persecuted and now celebrated throughout the world. From the tales of Jonah and Brendan the Navigator to Moby Dick and recent discoveries of cetacean songs and culture, Joe Roman looks at the role of the whale in human history, mythology, art, literature, commerce and science. Illustrated with Stone Age carvings, medieval broadsheets and colour underwater photographs, "Whale" shows how our perception of these animals has changed over the centuries: a hundred years ago, a stranded whale was usually greeted with flensing knives; now people bring boats and harnesses to return a wayward creature to the sea. Written by an author with vast experience of the subject, "Whale" will appeal to all those interested in whales and the conservation of the oceans, as well as anyone studying cultural history and the natural sciences.

“Whale is a lyrical portrait of the animals that have a special place in the hearts and minds of every sailor.”—Ocean Navigator

Whale explores the role cetaceans have played in history, the human imagination, and the oceans themselves. The largest animals to have lived on earth, whales inspire awe: the longest individual on record measured more than 33 meters, and a blue whale’s tongue alone can weigh more than an African elephant. Whales have also inspired greed. At the height of industrial whaling, more than 60,000 whales were removed from the oceans each year. It wasn’t until humans brought these diving mammals to the brink of extinction that we truly appreciated their charisma, intelligence, even culture as revealed in song.

This book shows how our perceptions and relationships regarding this animal have changed over the centuries. From the tales of Jonah and Brendan the Navigator to Moby Dick and the modern debate over whaling, Whale considers the role of cetaceans in human history, mythology, art, literature, commerce, and science. The illustrations range from Stone Age carvings to Victorian whaling prints to the latest full-color underwater photographs. This book will appeal to whale watchers as well as marine historians and anyone studying cultural history and the natural sciences.