Really interesting details about whales and the Navy. I liked this most when it was focusing on the investigations, as it slowed down somewhat with the trial discussions. ( )

War of the Whales: A True Story
by Joshua Horwitz
What a heartbreaking story! Sonic blasts, mapping, sonar explosives, and more including military games that cause death, strandings ( which cause death), and bleeding in the brain for underwater mammals. This is the journey of a scientist and a whistleblower that battles for the humane treatment of these animals. I really wanted to punch the creeps in the Navy that were so unethical but fortunately there is evidence they couldn't hide. ( )

Started strong. Worth checking out he videos referenced in the book to undestand and appreciate the noise issue better. Book started strong. Thought it peetered out at the end. Just kinda wrapped up. But book definately brings up a topic I hadd never thought of. Sounds horrible for the animals. ( )

My kind of book, interesting to me on several fronts. Very in depth reporting on the head on collision between the cetacians - whales, dolphins etc. - in our oceans and the sonar, particularly low range and mid-range. With heightened need for security and proliferation of nuclear submarines throughout the world, the US Navy is in constant readiness. The book details the struggle to balance navy warfare needs with marine mammal protection. It's a huge problem around the world. Horwitz introduces the reader to all the passionate, serious environmentalists and scientists involved in this struggle as well as the behind the scene Navy posturing. You'll never see a whale again the same way. ( )

Dozens of beaked whales beach themselves in the Bahamas. This leads to a legal battle against the U.S. Navy. Joshua Horwitz details the story, scientists, the legal battle, and the science in War of the Whales.

It’s an uphill battle when the other side is the most powerful fighting machine on the seas. It’s an even steeper hill when you realize nearly all of the experts are on the navy’s payroll.

For decades the navy has been studying marine mammals for their speed through the water and especially their echolocation. A beaked whale’s ability to locate object underwater far surpasses anything the navy can do with sonar.

But the navy does have power. If it can’t fine tune its reception, it can turn the volume up. Way up. 200+ decibels of power that appears to drive marine mammals right out of the ocean.

The book also shows the malignant problems of regulatory capture. The National Marine Fisheries Service is supposed to oversee the environmental impact of the navy. But fails to do much bur rubber stamp cursory navy reports.

Some of the key reports end up getting dumped during dead spots, just like corporate bad news filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. One key report in the book that actually points some blame at the navy was filed at 5:30 on a Friday December 21, 2001, the last day of the federal work year and start of the Christmas weekend. There is no need to impose a media blackout, when all of the media are gone. ( )