Dolphin Confidential
Confessions of a Field Biologist
Who hasn't fantasized about the unique thrill of working among charismatic and clever dolphins in the wild? We need not live this solely in our imaginations anymore. With "Dolphin Confidential" Maddalena Bearzi invites all of us shore-bound dreamers to join her and travel alongside the dolphins. In this fascinating account, she takes us inside the world of a marine scientist and offers a firsthand understanding of marine mammal behavior, as well as the frustrations, delights, and creativity that make up dolphin research.
In this intimate narrative, Bearzi recounts her experiences at sea, tracing her own evolution as a woman and a scientist from her earliest travails to her transformation into an advocate for conservation and dolphin protection. These compelling, in-depth descriptions of her fieldwork also present a captivating look into dolphin social behavior and intelligence. The central part of the book is devoted to the metropolitan bottlenose dolphins of California, as Bearzi draws on her extensive experience to offer insights into the daily lives of these creatures – as well as the difficulties involved in collecting the data that transforms hunches into hypotheses and eventually scientific facts. The book closes by addressing the critical environmental and conservation problems facing these magnificent, socially complex, highly intelligent, and emotional beings.
An honest, down-to-earth analysis of what it means to be a marine biologist in the field today, "Dolphin Confidential" offers an entertaining, never less than candid, and always informative description of life among the dolphins.
About the Author
Maddalena Bearzi has studied the ecology and conservation of marine mammals and sea turtles for over twenty years. She is founder of the Los Angeles Dolphin Project in California and cofounder of the Ocean Conservation Society. She is co-author of "Beautiful Minds: The Parallel Lives of Great Apes and Dolphins". She lives in Los Angeles.
Reviews
"I simply love this book. In 'Dolphin Confidential', renowned scientist Maddalena Bearzi tells us what it is like to be a field researcher and what it is like to be a dolphin, the ups and downs of daily life, and her excitement about learning just who these fascinating animals are. Bearzi's science is impeccable, and her book is an easy read for those who want to share her and the dolphin's lives" – Marc Bekoff, author of "Wild Justice"
"Maddalena Bearzi impresses me with her capabilities and passion as a marine mammal scientist and her clear and erudite manner of expressing the interface between science and an emotional sense of the animals she studies. I recommend this beautifully illustrated book to the starry-eyed juvenile would-be marine biologist, to those of us beginning our twilight years who may need a reminder of how we started and what this should mean in a larger sense of helping fragile Earth, and to all those academically and environmentally minded in between" – Bernd Wursig, Texas A&M University at Galveston
"This is a delightful chronicle of a young ocean lover's journey to turn her passion into a career in science, and that scientist's coming-of-age as she observes an ocean changing around her and the creatures she has come to love and defend. I found it both relaxing and energizing, all at the same time" – Carl Safina, author of "Song for the Blue Ocean"
"'Dolphin Confidential' takes the reader on the author's memorable journey from a curious nature-lover to a respected, thoughtful scientist and conservation advocate. Full of intriguing observations and exciting field experiences, this book will help people to view the oceans and marine life with respect and joy, and to build the stewardship ethic that is so greatly needed. For people who love and are fascinated by dolphins, this book is a true treasure" – Ellen Prager, author of "Sex, Drugs, and Sea Slime: The Ocean's Oddest Creatures and Why They Matter"
