Questions About Spying on Whales: The Past, Present, and Future of Earth's Most Awesome Creatures

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Answered Questions (5)

Nick why do you like discovering things about Whales?

Nicholas Deceptively tricky question, but a pretty simple response: I like figuring out the answer to mysteries in evolution. With whales there's mysteries to …moreDeceptively tricky question, but a pretty simple response: I like figuring out the answer to mysteries in evolution. With whales there's mysteries to nearly every aspect of their lives -- and certainly about their evolutionary past and future too. Focusing on whales, as a scientist, means that there's a lot still yet to uncover. Also, a big part of the fun is working with other scientists, who bring different expertise and viewpoints to the effort. I hope the book successfully conveys the fun of how scientists figure things out about these mysterious organisms.(less)

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Actually, it's not 'out' yet....will be on June 16th....I certainly will TRY to find it in my local library.....if not there, there is always Interlibrary loan.. hopefully in my town.....they do have access to larger libraries therefore I am hopeful....OTHERWISE just might buy it from the bookstore...AND... if they don't have it IT CAN ALWAYS BE ORDERED. The book sounds so interesting...i.e., if you into Nature...??

Nicholas I'm a bit biased, but I wrote the book because I mainly wanted to share stories about how scientists figure out mysterious things -- in this case, som…moreI'm a bit biased, but I wrote the book because I mainly wanted to share stories about how scientists figure out mysterious things -- in this case, some of the most mysterious mammals on the planet. So, yes, if you're into nature, but also if you're into detective stories, and the thrill of making new discoveries. Hope that helps, and hope you find a copy! (less)

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Will reading this improve the chances of me reading and enjoying Moby Dick?

Nick Pyenson Hm. I admit to puzzling how to answer this one, having only pretended to read it in high school. Melville's book is a bit of a different experience fo…moreHm. I admit to puzzling how to answer this one, having only pretended to read it in high school. Melville's book is a bit of a different experience for me as an adult, and certainly as a professional whale chaser. You can think of it as the first steam punk novel, before its time.

Here's what I will say: Melville's book rewards the sustained deep dive, but there is ample room for the snorkeler at the surface. So yeah, I hope it inspires you to go back to an icon of American letters.(less)

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Would this be a good read if I'm not into evolution but I love whales?

Nicholas This is a such a great question. Yes, this is a book for people who love whales: it's way to find out how we know the amazing facts about them; and th…moreThis is a such a great question. Yes, this is a book for people who love whales: it's way to find out how we know the amazing facts about them; and that means bringing the reader along on the journeys of scientific discovery, from the frontlines, with the real scientists who figured it out. Like every other organism, whales also have an evolutionary history -- a surprising one too -- and I think it's critical to know that deep ancestry so that we can understand where they're heading, in the future. Evolution is woven into these stories as much as physics and events in human history -- all pieces of knowledge needed to unravel the many mysteries that still remain about these animals.(less)

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Hi, I love this book! I've never learned so much about whales in such a sort amount of time. Do you recommend others that will be as fascinating as Spying on Whales?

Nick Pyenson Hi! I'm so happy to hear that you love the book. I wanted to write a book that would put people in my shoes, and take them along on the process of dis…moreHi! I'm so happy to hear that you love the book. I wanted to write a book that would put people in my shoes, and take them along on the process of discovering something new about these fantastic animals. I had a lot of specific influences in writing the book, and I spotlighted a few of them in my Five Books interview -- check them out: https://fivebooks.com/best-books/pyen...(less)

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Unanswered Questions (1)

Would middle schoolers enjoy this?

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