Humans, as self-centered as we are, have always looked at dolphins and seen a kind of aquatic version of ourselves. In recent decades, scientists have discovered dolphins recognize themselves in reflections, count, feel despondent, adorn themselves, rescue one another (and humans), deduce, infer, form cliques, gossip, and scheme. Dolphins seem so smart, playful, and social, that they are familiar to us. But their ocean world must remain, by definition, alien to our understanding.
New York Times bestselling author Susan Casey, who surfed mammoth rogue waves (The Wave) and swam with great white sharks (The Devil’s Teeth) turns her attention to that mysterious sphere in Voices in the Ocean: A Journey into the Wild and Haunting World of Dolphins (Doubleday).
Casey traveled the world for two years to research this look at the other intelligent life on the planet, covering many aspects of our fascination with these beautiful creatures. She reveals, for example, that several native peoples trace their lineage to dolphins; the U.S. Navy has a secret program that uses dolphins as undersea soldiers; and a theory that they are a superior, extraterrestrial species is popular among the New Age fringe. She also reports on dolphins as victims of brutal slaughter, and as stars of multimillion-dollar aquatic theme parks whose profits have fueled a sinister illicit trade.
Voices in the Ocean is available for signing.
