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How to Speak Whale

A Voyage into the Future of Animal Communication

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How to Speak Whale

By: Tom Mustill
Narrated by: Tom Mustill
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About this listen

‘Fascinating’ Greta Thunberg ‘Extraordinary’ Merlin Sheldrake ‘A must-read’ New Scientist ‘Enthralling’ George Monbiot ‘Brilliant’ Philip Hoare

THIS REVOLUTIONARY AUDIOBOOK FEATURES PREVIOUSLY UNHEARD BLUE WHALE VOICES, DOLPHIN ORCHESTRAS AND SOUNDBATHS FROM BENEATH THE SEA.

Wildlife filmmaker Tom Mustill had always liked whales. But when one breached onto his kayak, nearly killing him, he became obsessed.

This book traces his extraordinary investigation into the deep ocean and the cutting-edge science of animal translation.

What would it take to speak with a whale? Are we ready for what they might say?

MORE PRAISE FOR HOW TO SPEAK WHALE

‘One of the most exciting and hopeful books I have read in ages’ SY MONTGOMERY, AUTHOR OF THE SOUL OF AN OCTOPUS

‘A narrative that will expand your concept of language and deepen your understanding of the many ways there are to be alive … It left me inspired’ MERLIN SHELDRAKE, AUTHOR OF ENTANGLED LIFE

‘A must-read … a hugely engaging personal story of a journey into the future of human-animal communication facilitated by delving into its past’ NEW SCIENTIST

‘Fascinating and deeply humane’ GRETA THUNBERG

‘A rich, enthralling, brilliant book that opens our eyes and ears to worlds we can scarcely imagine’ GEORGE MONBIOT, AUTHOR OF REGENESIS

‘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, NEW YORKER

©2022 Tom Mustill (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers Limited
Biological Sciences Engineering Environment Nature & Ecology Conservation
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What listeners say about How to Speak Whale

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Best Audio Listen for a while!

This book was made for audio!! Brilliantly narrated by the author (good too for those who like to fall asleep to a book).

Seriously, this researcher knows his stuff about whales. He charts his first close encounter with a humpback whale who breaches on him to trying to understand speech of whales… and not only that, but the communications between other species.

You’ll never look at other animals in the same way again.

I’ve always maintained that mankind Is arrogant in thinking we have better brains/communication/rights than other creatures: this author seems to come to the same conclusion.

This book ends with 5 minutes of just sea noises (whales and other creatures).

Brilliant… just brilliant!!

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Fascinating and essential listening

This book has so many fascinating insights into animal communication, especially amongst cetaceans. it does highlight lots of our problematic history with Whales, from whaling and animal captivity to the problematic mindsets that even scientists are not immune to. However, it also showcases much of the efforts to use science to help these animals.

I highly recommend the audio book because you will be treated to some of the sounds of these wonderful animals.

it's a book I have shared snippets from with my friends and family and will probably gift. if I am truthful, I am a bit rubbish at sticking with books to the end. This one I did and will certainly return to.

The book highlights the importance of emotional connection with our Wild kin. We protect what we care about. At the time of writing this review, Whales are being used by Humans to fish for Krill on an industrial level. The Krill are their food and food for many other species, including seabirds such as Penguin and Albatross. I hope that this has ceased by the time you read this, but please do search for the ways you can help our marine ecosystems and all who inhabit them. This book is a wonderful reminder that Humans can be a force for good too.

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Altered world view

What a truly wonderful listen, so good I’m off to start again! And being an audio book brought so much more to life.

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Beautiful and informative

This book will make you think of our species, our arrogance and the ease with which we claim and overuse whatever we need. or want.
On the other hand, this book will teach you a lot about whales, their languages and their societies.
Definitely worth a listen!

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Wonderful and hopeful book

If you like David Attenborough programmes, you'll love this book. This audio version was even better because Tom reads it himself and because of the whale songs included so that we can hear what it all sounds like. It is an incredible story and fascinating science. It's great listen, well worth it!

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Entrancing and evocative

A wonderful voyage. I read the paper book before, but enjoyed this even more because it truly brought the conversations alive.

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A fascinating journey into the deep

This is a journey into the world of the whale but also into audio and how deep neural networks have changed our world into a better place and will connect us with life on this precious planet. As you are transported around the world from swimming with whales off Dominica to setting up audiomoth recording devices high in the forests of Hawaii! This is not only a story but an insight and what the latest technology is achieving, helping us appreciate these majestic creatures. As we do our position becomes more and more uncomfortable as we consider how we have treat them.

The extra audio accompanying the publication is really special, highly recommend must be listened to with a soundbar or suitable audio system...WOW!!!

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A thought provoking eye opener

So many amazing insights into the world of Whales. It has really changed my mind set.

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Wowser


Packed full of such extraordinary information, so you do not tire of listening to this informative and wonderful book.

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Beautifully written and performed, a daily joy to play

The audio format of this book includes sound recordings of humpback whales and other marine species, making the experience of learning about these creatures verly lively and direct. The performance is excellent, very engaging, also beautifully written, combining first person's accounts with scientific literature. A must play! After 10 hours play, I wished for more.

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