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Swimming With Giants: My Encounters With Whales, Dolphins, and Seals
A marine biologist shares her adventures on and under the high seas, from riding the tail of a white whale to saving marine animals damaged by chemical spills.
228 pages, Hardcover
First published November 14, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 28, 2020
Some interesting bits, but a little too technical for a novice to the subject.
April 24, 2019
Something that I appreciated right away about this book is how grounded it is. Many modern books about cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) tend to wistfully romanticize these animals a la your average New Age Soothing Dolphin Sounds album. While Anne Collet clearly loves the creatures she studies, she also respects them. She doesn't see them as mystical, holy messengers from the deep, but rather as socially complex, ecologically important animals. Such professionalism is a given from a respected marine biologist, but it's still refreshing and enjoyable. Just watch out for some outdated information.
Some complaints have been made about the writing in this book, but I feel that might be more of a strike against the translator, Gayle Wurst, rather than the author herself. One thing that sticks out to me in particular is something that was brought up in the foreword. The original French title of this book is Danse avec les baleines, a kind of tongue in cheek reference to Dances with Wolves. Compared to the original title, Swimming with Giants is pretty dull and generic. If that much meaning had been lost in the title alone, how much else might have been lost in the translation of the book itself?
All in all, it's enjoyable, it's a fast read, and I recommend it to fans of nature writing or fans of animals in general.
Some complaints have been made about the writing in this book, but I feel that might be more of a strike against the translator, Gayle Wurst, rather than the author herself. One thing that sticks out to me in particular is something that was brought up in the foreword. The original French title of this book is Danse avec les baleines, a kind of tongue in cheek reference to Dances with Wolves. Compared to the original title, Swimming with Giants is pretty dull and generic. If that much meaning had been lost in the title alone, how much else might have been lost in the translation of the book itself?
All in all, it's enjoyable, it's a fast read, and I recommend it to fans of nature writing or fans of animals in general.
December 8, 2015
Tales about the author's encounters with cetaceans and pinnipeds. While stories of this ilk have the potential to veer off into "new agey" territory, these absolutely do not. Collet is a marine biologist and in addition to describing various events in straightforward terms, she also uses her book as an opportunity to educate her readers. Collet discusses such things as the biology and physiology of the animals she has seen, and the challenges they are experiencing in the wild. I learned some new things myself, which I appreciated.
July 26, 2023
A great balance between the science, adventure, and lessons learned. Its very educational without being like a textbook, and it’s also very moving without being over dramatic or too philosophical. Would/will probably read again🫶🏼🐬🐋🤿🌍
February 6, 2017
I had trouble getting through this. The subject matter was interesting, but the book itself was tough to get through. Wasn't the best writing.
September 5, 2017
Not as good as some I've read in this genre
March 29, 2023
so cool. love fr.
16/339
16/339
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December 17, 2023PopSugar reading challenge: a book purchased from an independent bookstore
February 11, 2017
For so many years mankind has held that they are the superior being on the planet. As this book shows some of the denizens of the sea are quite intelligent, we just aren't smart enough to figure out how smart they are
July 31, 2016
In Swimming with Giants, Anne Collet tells us about her love of marine life and shares some stories with us. She is able to weave in facts about these ocean animals with stories that help bring them to life.
Swimming with whales. Diving with dolphins. Working with adults. Working with children.
Collet has led a life I think many children dream of when they see their first dolphin at a zoo, a park, wherever it may be.
The book was interesting and I learned some new facts. It was a good read that was relatively quick!
Swimming with whales. Diving with dolphins. Working with adults. Working with children.
Collet has led a life I think many children dream of when they see their first dolphin at a zoo, a park, wherever it may be.
The book was interesting and I learned some new facts. It was a good read that was relatively quick!
August 2, 2015
"The instructors could ask her to do any kind of work, even the most disagreeable, and she always carried out her task as energetically as if the fate of science depended on it."
I adore this book. Adventure, science and love.
Quick read. Lots of information.
I adore this book. Adventure, science and love.
Quick read. Lots of information.
February 3, 2013
Not for the school library because of its age.
March 3, 2017
Amazing, if dated, stories of scientist Anne Collet's research and "encounters" with whales, dolphins and seals.
October 26, 2015
This would probably be good for someone in upper grade school who is interested in marine biology.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
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