Behind the Dolphin Smile: A True Story that Will Touch the Hearts of Animal Lovers Everywhere [Paperback]

Richard O'Barry (Author), Keith Coulbourn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 7, 2000

People who have faced death often speak of their lives flashing before their lives. Something much different happened to dolphin trainer Richard O'Barry when one of the dolphins that played Flipper on television died of stress in his arms. He realized that most of his career as an animal trainer had been a mistake and that dolphins have as much right to freedom as humans. He vowed not to rest until he freed every last dolphin that could be returned to the wild successfully.

This is a true story that will move not only animal lovers but everyone who loves a well-told tale. Ric O'Barry had everything-money, flashy cars, pretty women-but it wasn't enough to keep his conscience at bay. He began to understand that dolphins were easy to train because of their great intelligence, not his great talent, and keeping them in captivity was cruel and morally wrong. While research and entertainment are important to human life, they are not worth the cost to these beautiful and gentle animals.

O'Barry was arrested trying to free a dolphin, but that didn't stop him, and he now devotes his life to untraining dolphins and returning them to their natural habitats. Once the pride of the billion-dollar dolphin captivity industry, he has since become its nemesis.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

He attracted worldwide attention in 1970 when he was arrested in Bimini, the Bahamas, for cutting the wires of a dolphin's pen. That act was a remarkable turnabout for O'Barry, who had collected, trained and exhibited dolphins for the Miami Seaquarium. He trained all five "Flippers" for the successful television series; the death of his favorite, Kathy, convinced him that commercial exploitation of these intelligent, sensitive creatures must end. O'Barry recounts his adventures with dolphins, sea lions, sharks and other sea mammals in making films for television. After several attempts at organizing a group to protect dolphins, he now works with the Oceanic Research and Communication Alliance (ORCA). On a marshy island off the coast of Georgia, O'Barry is retraining dolphins to live in their natural environment. His story will have wide appeal. Photos.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

YA O'Barry's lifetime involvement with dolphins is the subject of this engaging autobiography. As trainer of the television star, Flipper (who was really five different female dolphins), his skills were crucial to the series' success. In 1970, O'Barry became aware of how his work had often exploited the friendly sea mammals and founded Dolphin Project, Inc., which is dedicated to the rights of dolphins to swim freely, except for purposes of legitimate scientific research. His work in returning dolphins to the wild was recently featured in a National Geographic television special, Back to the Sea. Although the time frame, littered with flashbacks, is sometimes confusing, this book succeeds in expressing O'Barry's deep bond with dolphins and his commitment to their rights. His worldwide adventures should appeal to many readers. Keddy Outlaw, Harris County Public Library, Houston
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Renaissance Books (July 7, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580631010
• ISBN-13: 978-1580631013
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #764,845 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A look at marine animals in captivity., May 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Behind the Dolphin Smile (Hardcover)

Although it has been several years since I read this book, it made a lasting impression on how I feel towards captivity of marine and other non-domestic animals. In addition, it opened my eyes to animal neglect and, by my defination, cruelty. For those that love animals, it's worth finding!

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A COMPASSIONATE LOOK AT DOLPHINS, June 15, 2000

By 

DAVID BAKER - See all my reviews

This review is from: Behind the Dolphin Smile: A True Story that Will Touch the Hearts of Animal Lovers Everywhere (Paperback)

A wonderfully compassionate look at dolphins in captivity from an ex-industry insider; inspiring story that makes you want to change the world for the better.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Captive dolphins need to be free, August 31, 2007

By 

Todd Horton (Scottsdale, Arizona United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Behind the Dolphin Smile: A True Story that Will Touch the Hearts of Animal Lovers Everywhere (Paperback)

I think this book is well worth reading. I am a person that use to love marine parks, however my view has changed. Much is do to this book, plus my own research on the web. I have found out that most dolphins & whales in captivity don't live very long. There are exceptions like Miami Seaquarium's Lolita the killer whale. She is old for a captive whale, however she lives in a tank without other orcas & the tank is way too small, among other things. Do your own investigation on the web about her terrible living conditions. Ric O'Barry has been trying to do the right thing for dolphins which is freedom! He was Flipper's trainer. I don't agree with some of Ric's personal beliefs, however he is right on about dolphins. How you can support marine parks after reading this book would be extremely difficult. I have been on whale watches and if done properly, I feel are a better way to see God's creation. Ric says the best thing regarding marine parks is "Don't Buy a ticket". These dolphins are not fed enough so that they will do tricks. Read the book, then you decide!