Lads Before the Wind : Diary of a Dolphin Trainer (Paperback)

by Karen Pryor (Author), Konrad Lorenz (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
First published in 1975 by Harper & Row, this updated and expanded edition of Lads Before the Wind: Diary of a Dolphin Trainer relates ethologist Karen Pryor's vivid and engaging adventures with dolphins from the early '60s to the present day. Considered a pioneer in dolphin behavioral and communication training, Pryor (Nursing Your Baby; Don't Shoot the Dog!) takes the reader behind the scenes of her scientific research and to Brazil, where she meets fishermen who work symbiotically with dolphins to drive fish to their nets. B&w photos throughout.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Pryor, a recognized expert in dolphin training, has developed many of the animal-friendly methods that have become standards. In this enlarged edition of her 1975 original, she describes her early days in the field and how that evolved into her later research in animal communication.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 340 pages
• Publisher: Sunshine Books, Inc.; revised edition (March 16, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1890948047
• ISBN-13: 978-1890948047
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #149,120 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #77 in	Books > Outdoors & Nature > Fauna > Marine Life
  #97 in	Books > Outdoors & Nature > Ecology > Animals > Mammals

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating..., September 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Lads Before the Wind: Diary of a Dolphin Trainer (Paperback)

This is one of the most fascinating books I have ever had the privilege to read. As a youngster interested in animals, I must've checked this book out of my local library every 6 months for several years. When I came across a copy in a used bookstore several years ago, I yelped with joy at a chance to own it.

This book is an account of Karen Pryor's experiences learning about operant conditioning in order to train porpoises and whales at the newly opened Sea Life Park in Hawaii. The historical account is fascinating all on its own, but I treasure this book because of its discussion of training not just porpoises, but truly any animal, with positive reinforcement. I loved the way she and her colleagues freely borrowed from their experiences with one species to apply them to others -- the sections on training Trainers and training Otters are not only hilarious, but also terribly insightful into how 'animals' of all species learn.

I work with horses, and have found the philosophies I learned from this book have helped me enormously with not only horses, but also dogs and even people. This is a classic reference for anyone who works with any species of animal.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book-a must have!, June 12, 2002

By	"dolphingrl1331" (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews

This book provided a great insider's look to what is means to be a dolphin/marine mammal trainer. I would recommend this book to anyone who is considering this for a career path. I know I am and that this book has helped me gained a great perspective and tips on dolphin training. The stories are really touching and before you know it, you're feel like standing right next to the author feeding and playing with the dolphins. This book is a definite must-have!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun to read again and again, December 6, 2001

By A Customer

I first read this book almost 20 years ago, when I was a kid and in love with dolphins. I have re-read it two dozen times since then and enjoyed it just as much every single time. It will help the reader understand behavior in general...of your pets, your kids, your co-workers, your spouse...and how you can affect that behavior with timely and positive reinforcement of desirable responses. A delightful book! Hugely entertaining throughout.