Voices in the Ocean: A Journey into the Wild and Haunting World of Dolphins

After a chance encounter with a pod of wild spinner dolphins while swimming in Honolua Bay, Casey (The Wave) finds herself unable to shake dolphins from her mind. She embarks an investigation into the world of dolphins, impressing the reader with her curiosity and thrilling sense of discovery as she travels the world to learn about these unique creatures. She describes early research into the brain science of dolphins, a highly intelligent species, beginning with Dr. John Lilly in the early 1950s, and traces the origins of dolphin captivity and showcasing, which date back to the circus showman P.T. Barnum in 1861. She also explores the cultural significance of dolphins in different cultures, such as the members of the Chumash nation, California’s earliest inhabitants, who considered dolphins to be their direct relatives. But the most compelling aspect of the book is Casey’s investigation of the current plight of dolphins—faced with captivity; the now infamous dolphin hunt in Taiji, Japan; and the seriously ruined state of the world’s oceans, for example—and the people working to effect change to protect and save them. Casey’s book comes as a welcome addition on a topic also explored in the recent documentaries The Cove and Blackfish. (Aug.)