Dolphin Confidential

Bearzi offers a compelling tale of her career, all written in arresting present tense, and her close observations of dolphin behavior within it reveal more about the security of an individual who followed her passion than deep insights into dolphin culture. Bearzi wants to inspire others to become involved with conservation, as 'this intimate life with dolphins, whales, and other creatures has left a profound and beautiful impression.' . . . Anecdotes of dolphins mourning, feeding, and behaving heroically remind the reader of the commonalities and differences in these sea creatures and ourselves. . . . In this tale of intellectual pursuit and study, Bearzi asks the reader to do as she has done while also working for the animals' protection: 'The more I learn about my fellow animals, the more I feel the need to protect them in their natural state.' --Ellen Prager, author of Sex, Drugs, and Sea Slime: The Ocean's Oddest Creatures and Why They Matter Publishers Weekly This book reveals fascinating incidents in the career of a young woman born in Italy who conducted research on lizards, sea turtles, and dolphins. After immigrating to the US, Bearzi continued her education and research, concentrating on dolphins. Her enthusiastic and engaging account of her research career will be of interest to any young student interested in biology. . . . Highly recommended. --Ellen Prager, author of Sex, Drugs, and Sea Slime: The Ocean's Oddest Creatures and Why They Matter Choice Pairing vivid images of bottlenose dolphins swimming together and caring for one another with descriptions of the meticulous scientific work required to record their behavior, Maddalena Bearzi (founder, Los Angeles Dolphin Project; coauthor, Beautiful Minds: The Parallel Lives of Great Apes and Dolphins ) sheds light on the life of a field biologist. She avoids attributing human emotions to dolphins (their brains' responses cannot be documented in the wild) but conveys her love of the species and concern for their survival in ever more-polluted oceans. . . . A beautifully written account of the author's scientific development. --Ellen Prager, author of Sex, Drugs, and Sea Slime: The Ocean's Oddest Creatures and Why They Matter Library Journal You'll meet the amazing dolphins who live in the so-called metropolitan waters off Los Angeles--as well as plenty of colorful characters of the human variety--in the lively, informative Dolphin Confidential. Marine biologist Bearzi is an appealing literary companion. Her narrative is charming and accessible, full of fun scientific facts and beautifully observed detail. Still, as easygoing as the story may be, Bearzi doesn't shy away from challenging, big-picture issues: wildlife conservation, animal cognition, and the shared health concerns of animals and humans. Dolphin Confidential is the perfect beach read: you can look up from its pages entertained and infinitely more knowledgeable about the marine habitat before your very eyes.--Ellen Prager, author of Sex, Drugs, and Sea Slime: The Ocean's Oddest Creatures and Why They Matter Zocalo Public Square 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 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