Togetherness is Our Home: An Orca's Journey through Life [Paperback]

Dr. Astrid M. van Ginneken (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 4, 2007

Think of orcas, and you may instantly imagine the killer whales prowling the high seas in search of prey. Yet, these predators are much more than ruthless killers, and are in fact, complex creatures that feel and love within the groups they live. In pitch-perfect prose, orca expert Dr. Astrid M. van Ginneken puts the reader into the orca’s mind as she tells the story of the young killer whale Tuschka. Born in the wild, Tuschka learns the ways of her pod of fellow creatures and experiences the never-ending search for food, the joy of play, and the sadness of loss. But then Tuschka is mercilessly taken from her home waters and transferred to a marine park, where her only solace is a trust in her human trainers. Will she ever again join her family in the wild? Fascinating and heartfelt, this is a novel that is an astonishing account of the bonds between whales, and the relationship of man and orca.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Astrid M. van Ginneken has been fascinated by animals since she was six years old. Beside her innovative work on computerized patient records, she has a strong fascination for killer whales. Her dream came true in 1987: she was still a Ph.D. student when orca expert, Kenneth C. Balcomb of the Center for Whale Research in Friday Harbor WA, invited her to participate as staff in his renowned Orca Survey, ongoing since 1976. The author returned every summer since and became co-principal investigator in 1994. She contributes to the photo-identification study and set up a new research database in 1996. Astrid knows every individual orca and has seen many grow into adulthood: 60% of the Center’s study population has been born since Astrid joined the project. Over the years, she also visited research projects on orcas in Norway, Argentina, and New Zealand. Beside her studies in the wild, the author has spent many days observing killer whales in marine parks all over the world. Friendly trainers willingly shared their experiences and fascinating insights with Astrid. All these years of observation of different killer whales in so many different circumstances, shaped Astrid’s perception of the highly intelligent and loyal orca. In her novel ‘Togetherness is Our Home’ she puts the reader into the mind and world of these fascinating and majestic predators.

Product Details

• Paperback: 406 pages
• Publisher: BookSurge Publishing (April 4, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1419662252
• ISBN-13: 978-1419662256
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,314,884 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Orca Book Ever!, September 12, 2007

By 

Pat Woodfin "SeaWolf Educational Adventures" (Flower Mound, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Togetherness is Our Home: An Orca's Journey through Life (Paperback)

If you love orca whales you will love "Togetherness Is Our Home". The author is a long time researcher who has taken her real life experiences with these wonderful creatures and created a fictional story that is as realistic as true life. I have often been called a "whale nut" because I experience these creatures at least once a year in the wild so I know how accurate the details are. I tell people that this is a text book of orca behavior put into a fictional setting. It is amazing. I have bought a copy for my grandchildren because I want them to know these animals as I do for the civilized and loving family members that they are. There is no better way to get kids interested than a book like this. They won't put it down!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible Killer Whale Book with Strong Finish, September 24, 2008

By 

J. M. Ventre - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Togetherness is Our Home: An Orca's Journey through Life (Paperback)

An incredible work by a fine scientist and friend. Astrid has fused over 20 years of Orca Survey (photo identification) experience with hundreds of days of glass observations at marine parks, and thousands of hours of whale talk. Additionally she's a medical doctor, with an amazing understanding of anatomy and physiology, which lends accuracy to her descriptions of movements, nursing, birthing, and more. I met Dr Van Ginneken while working with Gudrun, the orca whom inspired Tuschka's fictional life, at a marine life park in Florida; 1987. I've had the pleasure of spending many hours with her, as a trainer, talking whales; then later in the San Juan Islands, observing the Southern Residents. She's an amazing woman, friend, musician, physician, scientist, and whale lover, and her book is a great accomplishment; a must read fictionalized natural history for whale and dolphin enthusiasts. Thanks Astrid.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An exciting story about the most charismatic of all whales and dolphins!, September 15, 2008

By 

S. Jacobs - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Togetherness is Our Home: An Orca's Journey through Life (Paperback)

Astrid van Ginneken knows her whales inside out. Studying orcas in the wild and in captivity for more than 20 years has provided her with the all the facts about these beautiful and intelligent animals. But in addition to that, Astrid van Ginneken is an amazing storyteller. Read this wonderful book and dive into the world of orcas. Get captivated by their stunning family life that is as complex and intriguing as our own. This novel is a must for all whale and dolphin lovers!