The War that Saved the Whales: The Confederate War Against the Yankee Whalers

by Paul Watson

During the United States' Civil War, Confederate Navy Raiders struck fear into the hearts of Union Whalers. Under officers like James Waddell, Raphael Semmes, and others, the Confederate raiders sank or captured dozens of Union whalers. Like those Confederate captains, Paul Watson has led a rebellious organization to challenge contemporary whalers. In his latest book Watson recounts the story of the Confederate ships that targetted Union whaling ships and how the influence his tactics as the founder of Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and as a captain on many of its campaigns for the past four decades.

184 pages, Hardcover

Published May 15, 2019

Reviews

[Erika Agnew]

I bought this book because I support Capt. Paul Watson & Sea Shepherd.
Most civil war movies and books are based on land battles so this definitely brought new perspective to me of how this war was fought.
Paul Watson uses first hand accounts and biographies of the sailors on these vessels so the book reads like an adventure novel and not like a history textbook.
I can't even steer a canoe but could follow along with the boating terminology used.
Paul Watson recounts many of his own experiences pursuing illegal whaling boats which makes me respect him and his crew even more.
There are some big editing errors but I would rather Paul Watson be the best captain, not the best writer.

[Grant Pollerd]

An enjoyable romp through history as Watson draws parallels between the paths and actions of the anti whaling privateers of the 1800's and his modern journeys and adventures. One for the history or sailing fans, Watson shines bringing out the humans behind the events. Just kept getting better the more I read.

[Sharyn]

Interesting read for sure.