Spying on Whales

Nick Pyenson, the Smithsonian's curator of fossil marine mammals, is fascinated by whales--not only the massive ones living in our oceans but also the smaller prehistoric land whales that once lived in what is now India. Pyenson's narration often bubbles with excitement. When he takes listeners on a tour of a whale bone vault, he finds delight in the waxy oil smell. His voice has a softer thoughtful side when he tells of modern chemicals' toxic effects on whale blubber. Pyenson's thrill at expeditions comes through, but he's educating listeners as well. He outlines the history of whales and explains their ecology and the matriarchal structure of their communities. Pyenson succeeds at his mission to bring listeners into the process of discovery. J.A.S. � AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine