Publisher's Synopsis
A rich exploration of some of the world's most astonishing creatures … Mustill weaves a narrative that will expand your concept of language and deepen your understanding of the many ways there are to be alive. This is an extraordinary book that left me inspired. - Merlin Sheldrake, author of Entangled Life
As a biologist and nature filmmaker, Tom Mustill had always liked whales. But when one landed on his kayak, nearly killing him, the video clip of the event going viral, he became obsessed.
This book traces an extraordinary investigation into the deep ocean and today’s cutting-edge science. Using ‘underwater ears,’ robotic fish, big data and machine intelligence, leading scientists and tech-entrepreneurs across the world are working to turn the fantasy of Dr Dolittle into a reality, upending much of what we know about these mysterious creatures. But what would it mean if we were to make contact? Can we hope to one day understand animals? Are we ready for what they might say?
Enormously original and hugely entertaining, How to Speak Whale is an unforgettable look at how close we truly are to communicating with another species – and how doing so might change our world beyond recognition.
Tantalizing … Think how transformative it would be if we could chat with whales about their love lives or their sorrows or their thoughts on the philosophy of language. - Elizabeth Kolbert
A rich, enthralling, brilliant book that opens our eyes and ears to worlds we can scarcely imagine.-GeorgeMonbiot
