Reflections of a Whale-Watcher

"This story about touching whales—and whales touching us—touches a cultural nerve. An important, informed, and insightful book. Powerful." —Lee Sterrenberg, Indiana University
"The first time I saw a whale, I looked into its eye and saw myself reflected." For Michelle Gilders, this moment was a revelation and becomes for us the start of a marvelous journey into the realm of the great whales. Gilders weaves a spellbinding account of her voyages through the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean in search of whales. Along the way, she takes us to the desert of Baja California to witness its diverse and remarkable wildlife. She recounts the whaling history of the area and the pressures brought to bear on this region and its wildlife. In the rough beauty of Baja, Gilders ponders ecological complexity, environmental issues, and ethical concerns, while immersing the reader in the sights and sounds of a desert awash in the whale-haunted seas.
Gilders's encounters with whales occasion reflections on such matters as speciation and evolution, the diversity of life, the role of politics and science in the treatment of animal populations, and the ethical and moral dilemmas that face us as we contemplate the possible sentience of non-human animals.
Written for a general readership, the book is an enthralling, deeply reflective, and scientifically accurate portrait of the great whales and our long and often troubled encounter with them.

History

Gilders, Michelle A.

Americas

Indiana University Press

The author recounts her experiences observing grey and blue whales in the Gulf of California, off Baja California

A breathtaking collection of images from across the African continent covers the five continent's five ecosystems--savannahs, woodlands, rainforest, wetlands, and deserts--and their human and animal inhabitants, representing twenty trips by the author/photographer over two decades. 30,000 first printing. $50,000 ad/promo.

Africa

Arts & Photography

Individual Artists

Wildlands Press

The most complex creatures in the animal kingdom, great apes communicate through an extensive system of hoots and calls; empathize with and console each other; and create tools for hunting and grooming. Through an engaging text and stunning full-color photography you'll quickly appreciate the intelligence, vulnerability, and charisma of every member of this fascinating family: the outrageous orangutan, grazing gorilla, chatty chimpanzee, and boisterous bonobo. Each member has adapted its lifestyle in various ways to ensure its survival, from traveling large distances through dense rainforest in order to mate (orangutans) to cleansing their bodies of toxins by eating certain leaves (chimps). 50 remarkable pictures from the world's top photographers include touching close-ups of an orangutan mother and her new baby; the hair-raising charge of a huge silverback gorilla; and playful images of chimpanzees fishing. You'll understand why it is so important to keep the great apes safe, even as logging destroys their habitat and hunters endanger their existence.

The Nature of Great Apes (Greystone Nature)

Teen & Young Adult

Greystone Books

Travel along the corridor of the famous trans-Alaska pipeline and see the dramatic landscapes, wildlife and communities along its 800-mile length.

Crossing Alaska

Photography & Video

Graphic Arts Books

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Gilders, Michelle A.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Gilders, Michelle A.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Gilders, Michelle A.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Reflections of a Whale-Watcher

Reflections of a Whale-Watcher

Africa

The Nature of Great Apes (Greystone Nature)

Crossing Alaska