Beneath the Surface

By John Hargrove & Howard Chua-Eoan

Beneath the Surface - John Hargrove & Howard Chua-Eoan
  • Release Date: 2015-03-24
  • Genre: Nature
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 209 Ratings

Description

*Now a New York Times Best Seller*

Over the course of two decades, John Hargrove worked with 20 different whales on two continents and at two of SeaWorld's U.S. facilities. For Hargrove, becoming an orca trainer fulfilled a childhood dream. However, as his experience with the whales deepened, Hargrove came to doubt that their needs could ever be met in captivity. When two fellow trainers were killed by orcas in marine parks, Hargrove decided that SeaWorld's wildly popular programs were both detrimental to the whales and ultimately unsafe for trainers.

After leaving SeaWorld, Hargrove became one of the stars of the controversial documentary Blackfish. The outcry over the treatment of SeaWorld's orca has now expanded beyond the outlines sketched by the award-winning documentary, with Hargrove contributing his expertise to an advocacy movement that is convincing both federal and state governments to act.

In Beneath the Surface, Hargrove paints a compelling portrait of these highly intelligent and social creatures, including his favorite whales Takara and her mother Kasatka, two of the most dominant orcas in SeaWorld. And he includes vibrant descriptions of the lives of orcas in the wild, contrasting their freedom in the ocean with their lives in SeaWorld.

Hargrove's journey is one that humanity has just begun to take-toward the realization that the relationship between the human and animal worlds must be radically rethought.

Reviews

  • orca lover read this book

    5
    By Khal Yolo
    I hate seaworld but that is because I love orcas. This book is full of true facts People who like seaworld and seaworld do not understand how those amazing animals feel seaworld takes baby orcas away from there mothers. Wild orcas live as long as humans captive orcas live about 20 years old. All captive orcas are sad Thank you for telling true facts
  • Outstanding

    5
    By CatherineCarlon
    Just downright wonderful. This is the kind of book that will make you think twice about seaworld
  • Applaud such a honorable man

    5
    By Jross15
    This book was amazing and heartbreaking all at the same time. John is a remarkable human being with true love and passion for animals. I as a child much like John thought going to sea world was this magical place. That going to a shamu show brought me chills, to see how amazing and beautiful these mammals are and to get a up close view was something indescribable and something I would never forget. I've been to sea world a total of 4 times. After watching black fish and reading this book I can now look past of what I thought was this magical experience and see the truth behind sea world and the precious orcas who should be free. I commend John for making the tough decision of speaking out against sea world and telling his story. Exposing the unsettling truths behind sea world and the treatment and unhealthy living environment of these whales. Not to mention how detrimental their captivity is to their health and development. I pray that God allows this to stop. That sea world shuts down once and for all. Prayers to all those special creatures and to you John! I applaud you!
  • Beneath the Surface

    5
    By PAW Carmel
    This is a terrific book -- one I could not put down. It really opened my eyes. I have always known that most business is only about the "almighty dollar," but it was still shocking to hear how people and beautiful creatures like Orcas can mean nothing when money is at stake. This book tells so much about Orcas and how social and smart they are. It also speaks volumes about imprisonment in general.
  • Page turner

    5
    By Jillykozz
    I was worried about the book, but I couldn't put it down!! It was hard to hear about the love John had for Seaworld. But that is HIS journey. I can't imagine how hard it was to leave those whales. He is a very strong man. I loved the book cover to cover. Knowing Dr. Rose, Howard Garrett and Dr. Visser personally, he's got the right people on his team. Great things will come from him. You watch and see......
  • Get this now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    5
    By Ravikoka
    SeaWorld supporter look at the facts even from a non-biased position I can see SeaWorld is wrong. There is so much evidence against them I couldn't even list it all. Read the book and see the truth. Save the orcas!!!!
  • I liked it

    5
    By Lidfizz
    Satisfied my need for a little bit more in depth in the stories I saw on blackfish
  • FANTASTIC!

    5
    By lewis400
    I'm all about saving Orcas & returning them 2 the wild. This book explains the good, the bad, & the ugly side of Orcas in captivity. If U 💙'd Blackfish ... U must read this book. 👍👍
  • Beneath the Surface

    5
    By Mpoole22
    Thank you John for this powerful and heartfelt book. I could not put it down, a must read.
  • If you loved the info in Blackfish, keep learning here

    5
    By PANNRouw
    LOVED this book. Sad about these beautiful whales! Offended SeaWorld called me a "troll or bot" when I'm a real person with feelings. Very simple so see these magnificent creatures need God's ocean size to thrive. I love learning so John's book was perfect when I wanted to know more "beyond Blackfish." 👍💙