THE LIFE AND DEATH OF WHALES

Robert Burton, Andre Deutsch 2^nd edition, revised and enlarged.

The first part of this book (which Robert Burton has brought up to date for this edition. With extensive revision) presents a concise account of all that men have yet learnt about the various species of whale that make up the basis of the major whaling industries. The Right whale, the Gray Whale, the Rorquels (which include the blue, the fin, the sei, the minke, the Bryde’s and the humpback whale), and the Sperm whale (the most famous of which was Moby Dick). It also touches on the killer whale and other species.

 In the second half Mr. Burton turns from the life of whales to their death, insofar as it is dealt out to them by human beings. His authoritative history of the whaling industry includes descriptions of the different methods of hunting and butchering used y whalers, and an account of the attempts which have been, and are being, made to control the whaling industry and prevent the over hunting which has already wiped out some local stocks (the equivalent of human nations) and continues to threaten whole species.

Mr. Burton’s attitude is not a sentimental one. He recognises that man has hunted whale out of genuine need for the products yielded by the latter. But the very sobriety of his approach to the subject makes his final question the more moving: ‘ Will the time come when the last lonely whale scours the ocean, calling in vain for it’s companions, as is already being proclaimed in popular song?

Apart from a 1cm split to the top front of the dust jacket, and some minor creasing to the same area, both the book and the dust jacket are in good condition