Product Description
Wild dolphins are an elusive subject for behavioral studies: How can you "do a Jane Goodall" on animals usually visible only as a glimpse of rolling dorsal fins heading for the horizon? In this unusual book, two of the best-known scientists in the marine-mammal field have assembled an astonishing variety of discoveries about dolphins. The contributions range from a graduate student's first paper to senior scientists summarizing a lifetime of research. The dolphins they have studied range from tiny spinners to majestic pilot whales, from killer whales to the familiar bottle-nosed dolphin. The research tactics vary just as widely: the researchers have followed dolphins in boats, tracked them from shore, dived among hundreds of them (plus a few sharks) in tuna fishing nets. They have used computers and airplanes, genetic analysis and artificial language, and learned to read the life history of a dolphin from the cross-section of a single tooth.
Pryor and Norris are successful writers as well as scientists; the book is peppered with entertaining essays, by one or both editors, on the intriguing history of dolphin research. Dolphin Societies not only surveys the most interesting recent research on dolphin behavior but also gives lay readers a fascinating look at the scientific mind at work. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The BestBook on Dolphins
In all my reading on cetaceans, this is by far the most comprehensive, science-oriented book I've ever found. Ms. Pryor and the late Dr. Norris are both among the most highly qualified people on the planet to write (and edit a book) about dolphins, and both contribute their own chapters to this wonderful compendium of research from experts in a number of fields. Subjects covered are diverse, and encompass many topics I had not seen in other books, such as analysis of teeth as an indicator of age and wellness, the behavior of dolphins inside tuna nets, an in-depth analysis of feeding and hunting strategies, and many other intriguing facets of cetacean behavior.
This book is a "must-read" for anyone who wants to separate fact from myth and become better grounded in scientific cetacean studies. ... Read more

Product Description
This heartwarming book is the story of Joan Ocean’s first meeting with the whales and dolphins in 1984, and her intimate friendships with cetaceans, as she "…creates a field of innocence where the dolphin is the teacher." Swimming in the ocean, she experiences a human-dolphin communication that releases expansive, multi-sensory knowledge in the entire body and its thoughtforms. With the simplicity and elegance of the dolphins, she is linked to the Infinite wisdom of Love. The book also documents Joan’s personal journey as she begins to understand the profound messages of the dolphins and whales. The book includes 19 black and white photos and artwork by famous visionary artist, Jean-Luc Bozzoli. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Not the kind of dolphin connection I would want if I was a dolphin
Nothing new here but new age people who are really creating more identity from the dolphins than caring about the dolphins with openess. The dolphins in this book are wild, but are being harassed increasingly by humans who want something from them. They are now being seen with less frequency in many of the bays they use for calving, resting, nursing - scientists relate this to human intensive (although mostly unintentional) swimmers and other recreationists who think the dolphins have nothing else to do but to commune with them. As if those humans are that special.

A Reading Experience
Reading this book itself was an illuminating experience. Published in 1989, this Dolphin Connection/Spiral book was way ahead of its time. ..

Today, the media glibly acknowledges connections between our thoughts and feelings and events in our daily lives through quantum mechanics. These interconnections, which were first taken up by Dr. Deepak Chopra, Danah Zohar and Fritjof Capra, to name a few were originally frowned on, but later on, given a certain grudging acclaim by traditional science institutions, who are extremely cautious about safeguarding their ilk from contamination by any taint from the mystical'. This book builds on actual physical experiences, based on similar concepts such as 'Thoughts make things', but takes them further, adding an additional ingredient,that of 'sacred geometry', bringing this esoteric concept into the light of our daily reality. Traditional physical sciences have yet to acknowledge the relevance of sacred geometry in our daily existence, let alone study the immense healing power that can be unleashed by authorizing its use.

The author, who is also a professional psychotherapist and counsellor relates how she was drawn into contact with the Cetacean family. The first being she made contact with was a whale. That contact changed her life. She describes with feeling, how that particular contact sensitized her to the inner dimensions of her self, how she came to perceive that her inner and outer landscapes are connected, how this connection made room for extraterrestrial intelligences to enter our realms, how and why dolphins and whales fit into this picture and have an active role to play, and finally why they have stepped up their contact with humanity at this particular time in history, in order to expedite our awakening to our own multifaceted nature. She mentions,with restrained eloquence, how different aspects of her life, fell automatically into place, when all she did, was to adjust her own attitudes towards her own thoughts and emotions, without letting them get the better of her, and thus affirming her own power. She also exhorts her readers to do the same in order to achieve similar results.

Finally, she mentions a very special project that has required her involvement, along with that of her partner. This project "exists as a thought form in the ethers" while it awaits manifestation in the physical. It consists of a pyramidal structure, situated in the ocean and reaching out to the sky. This structure is custom made to heal the human species. Within this structure, the cetacean family will be called in to assist the human family to obtain a glimpse of their true nature and potential.

In an appendix, the author mentions an interesting exercise in which dolphins are allowed to assist in the birth process of babies under water. Children born this way have been found to be exceptionally gifted and aware.

Interspersed throughout the text, are some extremely original and evocative pictures of cosmic symbols encased in geometric forms, accompanied by an appropriate message and contributed by her partner, Jean-Luc Bozzoli.

The healing project mentions above, is similar to that mentioned by Dannion Brinkley in "Saved by the Light", where, colour, form and structure are brought together to affect a healing. The ailing human is put in a position where he can gauge his identity as an inseparable and indestructible part of the whole. And, as one reads this book, one senses the rumblings of the monumental changes in human evolution, expected to erupt around Dec. 2012, when humanity has been foretold to undergo a quantum leap in consciousness. This book heralds these changes at a time when talk of esoteric matters was relatively rare.

The book has been very well written. Balance and harmony are its watchwords, despite the unusual nature of its contents. It stands the test of time and I recommend it strongly.

Dolphine Connection is a good start to learning to swim with the dolphins
This is a good book to begin to explore what is happening for some people when they swim regularly with the dolphins.Joan Ocean is one of the main contributors to the movement of seeing our connection with the dolphins as an opportunity to shift and widen conciousnessness.Taking the time to be with the dolphins in their world and to be sensitive to the way that exposure changes our internal connection to them is very different than swimming with them in a controlled tourist attraction.Ultimately the dolphins are offering us an opportunity, as a species, to grow up.

If you want to know the beings who know read this book!
We all came from the sea and are seeking a reason why we left. Joan is on the way to finding the way back and the reason we left. I think you will find a connection to where you are from and where we as a planet are going when you read this book. It stired me to wonder again and to cotinue my adventure of life. Thanks Joan

And Joan how can I get the new book? ... Read more

Product Description
Jody McGrath and her family are sailing around the world researching dolphins, and Jody records all their exciting adventures in her Dolphin Diaries.In the series' sixth book, Joday has arrived in the South American rain forest, desperate to see some botos--amazing, bubble-gum-pink river dolphins. She has heard that when teh river floods the forest, these magical creatures can e seen seimming between the trees!But botos are rare and difficult to track down.Will Jody's wish come true?
... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

REALISTIC STORY ABOUT PINK DOLPHINS
Racing the Wind is part of the Dolphin Diaries series.Although I have not read any of the other dolphin books, it didn't matter.Racing the Wind was great!I thoroughly enjoyed the book.Initially, I was drawn to the novel because I had traveled to the Amazon last year and swam with pink dolphins in the wild.Naturally I was curious to see if the book could capture the essence of these delightful and illusive creatures.I was impressed by the accuracy of description and the plausibility of the events that occurred.The various encounters with the dolphins as well as the development of the characters added the kind of suspense that makes you want to read on.

The pink river dolphin, called boto rosa, is an amazing animal. The myths and legends surrounding botos are numerous and many natives both fear and revere them.I found these animals fascinating and very gentle.I fed them, and I swam with them.When one in particular first looked me in the eye, I felt like the creature was gazing into my very soul.I was prepared, therefore, to be under whelmed by Racing the Wind.I was pleasantly surprised, however, to discover that although my personal adventures were wonderful, this novel enabled me to bring back all those memories, and I even learned some new information about botos that I hadn't known before.In my opinion, Racing the Wind provides the reader with a true picture of pink dolphins.I would encourage anyone who loves animals and adventures, to join Jody on an amazing journey to a place where some of us can only dream about.

The Best Book Yet
After a while, the stories of Jody's dolphin adventures on the blue sea, which all seem to be slightly similar to one another, can be become rather boring.That is why this book is so entertaining!Imagine Jody, cruising down the colorful-but-dangerous Amazon river with her family and friends, in search of rare dolphins that, for once, don't befriend Jody right away as though they've known her all their lives.I could hardly put this book down until the time when I finished it, and couldn't help wishing that it wasn't over yet.I highly recommend this book if you have finished the fifth one, and I recommend this series to girls who love originality and adventure!

Dolphin Diaries/racing the wind
This story is amazing. It has so much warm hearted characters. I also like this story because I am interested in botos like Jody.
Jody is my favorite character. She really loves to study marine animals. She is very brave to save a baby boto from the deadly sinking sand. Even though I'd never been in Amazon, I had a great feeling like that I was in Amazon with Jody, her family and her friends, while I was reading this story. It is very adventurous and exiting story. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review
Do animals experience sorrow? Do they know joy? Scientists have long been divided on the issue. Many, informed by the likes of Rene Descartes, whoviewed animals as automata, and B.F. Skinner, who reduced the animal mindto a system of stimulus and response, say no. Others, including CharlesDarwin, reply in the affirmative, and this book is a resounding endorsementof their position.

Editor Marc Bekoff, a biologist at the University of Colorado, assemblesanecdotal memoirs by some 50 scientists touching on such matters aslove, fear, anger, joy, grief, pride, and shame. His contributors includeAlexander Skutch, Frans de Waal, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Marshall Thomas,and Michael W. Fox; their subjects number animals from nearly everycontinent and ecosystem. The memoirs are highly instructive; we learn fromthem, for instance, that dolphins lack the muscles to smile, that the pig'ssqueal is a highly successful defensive mechanism, and that elephants aresubject to episodes of depression. More substantially, the essays, taken asa whole, show that the emotional life of animals is not only rich, but alsoas various (and unpredictable) as that of humans; after reading them,you'll likely not look at chimps or hyenas--or dolphins, for thatmatter--with quite the same eyes.

Although most animal lovers won't need to be convinced of the reality ofanimal emotions, this book provides plenty of ammunition for anti-Cartesiandebates. And apart from all that, it's a lot of fun. --Gregory McNamee ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

non-fiction that reads as easily as fiction
This book is a great collection of one- to two-page essays on animal behavior. The authors share their personal stories with animals that they studied throughout their science careers. Do animals show love, fear, anger, joy, or grief? The stories convince us that they do. A dolphin mother who lost her calf refuses food and leaves her group to grieve; a young dolphin invents a game and plays it for hours with her mother; a sea lion tosses a duck decoy in frustration at a trainer when it failed a task; a dolphin ducks a floating gull under water just for the fun of it. The book also covers land animals and birds, and each story is accompanied by wonderful photographs.

an opening into a new world
As a vegetarian, I have felt especially vindicated by evidence of animals' emotions.If an elephant can feel grief, a chimp baby can carry around a stick "doll," and wolves can bond to one another, then of course they can also feel pain.However, I believe that absolutely anyone could and should enjoy this charming book edited by Marc Bekoff.It is separated into sections, and each chapter is then only a few pages long, so it is easy to read cover to cover, or simply to flip through.I also think that this book would be a great way for children to learn respect for their fellow earth-dwellers.Many readers will be surprised by these anecdotes...I highly recommend (although the title is a strange choice, since a big "grin" on a dolphin can indicate aggression).

Outstanding Collection on Animal Emotions!
Marc Bekoff has brought together an outstanding collection of experts to share their experience with the broad and deep range of animal emotions.To me it shows that animals are more open and honest with their emotions than humans.The pictures alone can help us grow even more.This book brings Darwin's "The Expression of Emotions in Man and Animal" and The Animal Welfare Institute's "Animal Expressions" to a whole new audience. This book will please those humans who already enjoy animal emotions and will help those who need a push to grow. ... Read more

Product Description
Briefly describes the physical characteristics and behavior of dolphins and several related marine mammals, killer whales and porpoises. ... Read more

Product Description

Did you know that dolphins . . .

Customer Reviews (1)

Several interesting facts, but lesser quality photos
Purchased this book for my 3 yr old to help initiate his reading skills.There are several interesting facts, but the pictures are not very impressive.I also expected more of a continuous story line, which the book does not have.Overall, a decent fact book, but I would not purchase again nor can I honestly recommend it. ... Read more

Product Description
Children will thrill to the detailed illustrations that bring these fascinating sea mammals to life in their natural environment—from killer whales pursuing their prey to wild spinner dolphins swimming with humans. This handy paperback is the perfect take-along for young oceanographers! ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

Enough insights to allow whale watchers to fully appreciate and anticipate their experience.
THE COMPLETE WHALE-WATCHING HANDBOOK: A GUIDE TO WHALES, DOLPHINS, AND PORPOISES OF THE WORLD blends a focus on the biology of whales and their behaviors with a species guide, a regional guide to whale-watching opportunities around the world, and seasonal analysis of species which can be expected. Much more than just a listing of parks and outfitters, it focuses on the biology and science of the species and provides maps, color photos, and enough insights to allow whale watchers to fully appreciate and anticipate their experience.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch ... Read more

Product Description
Long ago, in the small fishing village where Jim lived, times were hard. There were too few fish for anyone to make a living, and the fishermen’s boats lay peeling in the sun. But when Jim finds a dolphin on the beach, and all the villagers help return it to the sea, Jim doesn’t only make a wonderful new friend—he helps save the village. ... Read more

Product Description
Patricia A. Bremmer makes her mystery debut with an amazing plot and memorable characters. For a first time novel the reader response has been amazing. Bremmer has a way of pulling her reader into the pages of the text making them feel as if they are one of the characters within. This writer is on her way to becoming a best seller, guaranteed. Her trademark Elusive Clue is a word puzzle embedded in the story that boldly informs diligent puzzle loving reader exactly who the murderer is! Solving the puzzle is not necessary to solve the mystery. It exists purely for your enjoyment outside the mystery. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A must for all mystery fans!
A real page turner!Read it in one day, picked it up and couldn't put it down!Highly recommend! ... Read more

Product Description
Patricia A. Bremmer has done it again. The second book in her Elusive Clue Series has readers hooked. Bremmer's ability to weave a plot continues in this title. Readers connected with the characters from the first novel, Tryst With Dolphins. Now they are back with still more deaths surrounding them. Bremmer's fast paced cinematic writing style keeps the readers turning pages wanting to know the ending but not wanting it to end. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great sequel!
Great sequel!!!Loved the first book and the second was even better!Kept me guessing the whole book!Highly recommend fro mystery lovers! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Very good SF
This book is about dolphins, love, war, humanity. If you like to think then this book is for you.

Robert Merle's address???
Dear Sirs,

I'm a bulgarian student in french language and I choose for my final academical thesis towrite on Robert Merle.Now when I finished my work I wish very much to write to him.But for my regret I'm not able tofind his address.Could I kindly ask you to help me?

Looking forward foryour reply, I remain

with Best Regards,

yassen_petkov@yahoo.com

Goot!
Read, liked! Better,than film

Unrealistic,Do Not Waste Your Time And Money
Very fictional, hard to situate, jumps from one event to the next without much context. Not worth the buy. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (6)

A Beautiful and Intriguing Book
The Dolphins of Laurentum finds Flavia and her father in a tight spot.Marcus Flavius Geminus' ship has sunk and he is the sole survivor having lost his cargo in which he put all of his money. Stumbling into his house, half-dead, Marcus is tended by Doctor Mordecai; but scarcely has the healing begun when two bankers demand full payment on a loan made to Marcus.As a result, it looks like Geminus family will loose their house in Ostia.But is someone manipulating the bankers? And why the sudden need for funds?

Enter Pliny the Younger who takes the pressure off the imminent eviction by offering Marcus, the four children, Aristo and Miriam the villa of his uncle at Laurentum until things can be sorted out.Add to the mix an appearance by the slave dealer Verminaclius, a sunken ship with treasure inside and Pliny the Younger falling in love with Miriam and you have a remarkable addition to the Roman Mysteries series.

Once again, Caroline Lawrence demonstrates she is a marvelous story-teller and her remarkable ability to bring ancient Rome to life.As the Roman Mysteries series continues the story develops in some interesting and unexpected directions that keep the reading enthralled.

Really Really Interesting...
Why does Lupus have no tongue? Why did he almost kill Venelicius? What are spongesticks used for? Those questions are aswered in the 4th book of the Roman Mysteries!!!

I really liked this book!It is funny, has dolphins in it, answers questions, has good characters, and is a little predictable.I like books that when you guess - you are right =0)

(written by a 9yr old girl)

GREAT
this book is a great book for everyone who reads it. Personally, i luv this book. i've always like the character of lupus through the entire books series and i realluy like them all. the dolphins of larentums will tell you about lupus' past and it will be much easier to understand wt happpens after you also read the colossus of rhodes.

I LOVE IT!!!!
This is a great book and I think everyone should read it! You discover Lupus past and this story is so good I could not stop reading it. No matter what anyone says,READ THIS BOOK! Also read the other series of these books,you will love them. These are my favorite books!

A wonderful story about a young girl's life in Rome.
Flavia Gemina, hasn't heard of her father for four months. He is a sea captain and the last time she saw him was when he headed west on his spice ship. So Flavia is rather shocked when a mute and old-looking man ends up on her doorstep, happening to be her father. Moments of shock pass, and Flavia learns that she is about to lose everything that she owns. Running away with her three friends, Flavia finds herself on a beach, where treasure seemingly lies. This was a memorable and interesting new and good book to this fantastic series. ... Read more

Product Description

When Bob the dolphin was born, he was small and sickly, with an unusual comet-shaped mark on his drooping dorsal fin. No one at the aquarium expected him to survive. But like his mother, Aster, Bob was ornery, and he stubbornly struggled to overcome his health problems. And soon, he loved to leap high into the air and perform tricks.

Then one day, Bob taught himself a new trick-and jumped into more trouble than any other dolphin in the history of the aquarium. With a dolphin like Bob around, you never know what will happen!

Customer Reviews (7)

Jake's
A group of bird-watchers were on the beach and they came across a dolphin.They took it to the aquarium.The people took some tests on Aster and found out that she was pregnant.That was not good.Bob is born scrawny and sickly with a strange comet-shaped mark on his droopy dorsal fin.When Aster and Bob was put back into the regular pool.The other dolphins wold pick on Bob becuase he was smaller then any of the other dolphin calphs.Since Bob was treated with care he started to look like a regular dolphin calph.Bob started to do some shows and he was a star now.The dolphins started to quit doing shows and the people quit coming to watch their shows.The dolphins startewd to do shows again.The good thing is Bob turned out fine.He grew to be the normal size of a dolphin.

A must read book
This book is a non-fiction book about a female dolphin named Aster. It is an interesting story of a dolphin's survival in captivity. When she was about ten months old she was washed ashore. She was about to die when a group of bird watchers discovered her. They put her in one of the bird-watcher's cars and took her to the Maryland State Aquarium.While the trainers were taking care of Aster and the other dolphins, Aster becomes pregnant.Since dolphins often die in childbirth, everyone was worried.Read to find out what happens to Aster. I think that this would be a great book for kids aged 9-11.

My 7yo daughter loved it!
Cute, cute, cute and informative about dolphins!

An Amazing Dophin
I think that A Dolphin Named Bob is a really good book. I liked the book because I really like dolphins.This book is about two dolphins named Aster and Bob. Aster was sick and stranded on the beach with no food or water. Some bird watchers found her and brought her to the closest aquarium. Aster was pregnant; Aster had a very scrawny baby. The trainers named the dolphin Bob, but they didn't think he would live. To find out if Bob did live, read A Dolphin Named Bob. I think you will like it a lot.

The Very Naughty Dolphin
A Dolphin Named Bob, by Twig C. George, is the story of a dolphin named Bob who was a baby that was born of a mom (Aster) whom was not healthy! Bob was fed with milk by another mom (Anani) because Aster didn't have enough! I like this book because it has an adventurous dolphin (Bob). Bob jumped over the wall and into the big pool and Aster followed. I recommend this book because it's about a dolphin's life and what they do. If you want to find out more, read the book A Dolphin Named Bob. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Beautiful Book
A Grave for a Dolphin was written by Alberto Denti in English following A Cure for Serpents; it is not a continuation of the earlier book but rather stories and incidents that were not included.A Grave for a Dolphin is a charming and magical book that is beautifully written.

An example: "He [the Prior of the Catholic mission at Berentu] was not an educated man: he hacked Italian, mispronouncing the words with a strong vernacular accent, and his Latin was faulty even for a Capuchin friar.But he wrote bits of Cunama poetry that delighted the natives, who learnt them by heart and sang them to the savage throbbing of the couboule.

When I try to recall to my mind this extraordinary man, who died after having spent his whole life in that narrow strip of Africa, I see his pale grey eyes, deadened by the drooping eyelids, suddenly flair up with a brilliance that nobody could withstand: I still hear the golden ring of his voice that had the chime of distant bells."

Like A Cure For Serpents, we meet many extraordinary people like Haloua, who spun some marvelous stories to entertain the author; Wadna, who could speak to the animals and was a good camel thief, Father Crocodile, who could charm any crocodile no matter how large and the wonderful and seductive Shambowa.The tale of Shambowa and the dolphin (from which the title of the book is derived) seems to be a reworking of the story told by Aulus Gellius (6.8) where a boy named Hyacynthus has such great affection for a dolphin (and the dolphin for the boy) that when he suddenly dies the dolphin fell sick and died.The story is nicely elaborated upon by Norman Douglas in his Siren Land and a similar story is recorded by Pliny the Younger (9.33).True or not, the story of Shambowa is quite wonderful and beautifully told.

Each page of this short book (192 pages) is a marvel and one of the few book with which I will never part.The book is illustrated with several back-and-white photographs.
... Read more

Product Description
Much has been written about dolphins and whales, and excellent books exist especially on the charismatic bottlenose dolphins; and killer, humpback, and sperm whales. But detailed studies have been carried out on a handful of other species, and this book summarizes our state of knowledge of a little dolphin - the southern hemisphere "dusky," and compares its behavioral strategies in different environs. The editors, Bernd and Mel Würsig, began studying duskies in Patagonia Argentina in 1972. Although they have been to many parts of the Earth since then -- including work on Amazon and Yangtze river dolphins, Hawai'i for the delicate lovely spinner dolphin, the Arctic for bowhead and gray whale work, and bottlenose dolphins in several milieus -- they have always returned to their first love of unraveling the social patterns and life strategies of duskies that exist in small groups in semi-enclosed bays and as herds of well over one thousand in the open ocean. This book documents the latest research, from their feeding patterns to their acrobatic skills. It is full of scientific facts, with a sense of poetry and wonder of the unknown.

- Only book fully devoted to the southern hemisphere "dusky" dolphin
- Heavily illustrated with charts, figures, tables, and all color photos
- Written by a cadre of experts intimately familiar with dolphin field work
- Written in an accurate yet accessible style for the scientist and natural historian alike ... Read more

Product Description
The restoration of a bombed-out London theatre ends in violent death -- and one of Marsh's most vivid and dramatic novelsWhen the bombed-out Dolphin Theatre is given to Peregrine Jay by a mysterious wealthy patron, he is overjoyed. And when the mysterious oil millionaire also gives him a glove that belonged to Shakespeare, Peregrine displays it in the dockside theatre and writes a successful play about it.But then a murder takes place, a boy is attacked, the glove is stolen. Could it be that oil and water don't mix? Inspector Roderick Alleyn is determined to find out... ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Good Reading
I thought that I had all the Ngaio Marsh books.Was excited to find this is one that I do not have.Am currently re-reading all of her books. The book was exciting and Ms. Marsh's ability to weave a scene is outstanding.

One of her best
I have read about ten of Marsh's mysteries and would put this one in the top tier.

Not to be confused with HAND IN GLOVE
"Mayde by my father for my sonne on his XI birthedy and never worne butte ync"
- note purportedly written by William Shakespeare, accompanying an elegant child-sized glove

If the reader expects a conventional puzzle, this book may disappoint; it's a novel deeply concerned with showing the life of a working theatre during a major production. The crime (which is all the more shocking for the extended development) erupts into the story a third of the way through the book, and serves to bring the characters under a searching examination as well as to set the mystery on its way. As in some of Marsh's other theatrical mystery novels, life off stage is often a distorted reflection of the current production, and players who die on stage may well face death off it.

Peregrine Jay and his flatmate Jeremy Jones are both theatre professionals, but on the production side rather than as actors, one as a director and sometime playwright, the other as a designer - and as their flat is directly across the river from the dilapidated Dolphin Theatre, Peregrine eventually notices it and wangles his way inside to sightsee under the guise of the theatre's ancient "for sale" notices. (Apart from having been out of use as a playhouse for many years, it was damaged in the Blitz and never repaired.) In his fascination with the decayed splendor of the building, Peregrine falls through a hole in the stage into a well of filthy rainwater.

Peregrine's accident proves to be a lucky break; the theatre's landlord, the eccentric Mr. Conducis, drops in to look the place over before Peregrine drowns, and not only saves him, but reaches out just a little from his shell and carts Peregrine off to be cleaned up by his household staff - possibly just the possessive reaction one might have toward a life one has just saved, mixed with the natural reaction of a man who had himself nearly drowned in a shipwreck some years earlier. With some hot rum in him after the shock of nearly drowning in icy water, Peregrine is unusually eloquent in defence of the Dolphin as a beautiful riverside playhouse that could be recreated as a first-class working theatre in the tradition of the Globe.

From this chance meeting arise two events that will change Peregrine's life: an inspiration for a new play, and a job offer.

Conducis owns an antique child's glove with apparent provenance that it was made for Hamnet Shakespeare, the playwright's only son who died as a boy. From this glimpse grows Peregrine's next play, THE GLOVE, written over the next several weeks as experts (at Peregrine's suggestion) begin officially authenticating the glove. (Peregrine's friend Jeremy, meanwhile, works with him on shadow-casting the play and eventually designing the production, while clarifying for the reader how a passionate expert on such artifacts would react to the possible existence of such a relic, not least to the desirability of keeping it in England, preferably in a museum.)

The job offer materializes when Conducis opts to renovate rather than demolish the Dolphin, and engages Peregrine to help run the rebuilt theatre, which will reopen with the first production of THE GLOVE (eventually helped along with the burst of publicity arising from the unveiling of the real glove).

Much of the interest of the story lies in the story-within-the-story - Peregrine's interpretation of Shakespeare's personal tragedy as shown in THE GLOVE. The living players, for their part, interact in ways that mirror those of their roles on stage, sometimes echoing them, sometimes in contrast. Gertrude Bracey, as Shakespeare's wife, is truly jealous of Destiny Meade, who as the Dark Lady plays her rival for Shakespeare - but over their real-life relationships with Harry Grove, another supporting player. Grove, in turn, likes taking the mickey out of colleagues who consider themselves a cut above him, particularly hot-tempered star Marcus Knight. As for Trevor Vere, the bratty boy playing Hamnet, he really *is* neglected by a performing parent, though she's a professional musician in a small way who seems to make her main living by managing his career. Even the utterly professional Emily Dunne as Shakespeare's sister reflects her role as the one kind of woman Shakespeare could've got along with, as she wins the heart of the real playwright - whom she won't date, as Peregrine's currently her boss.

In a play with less prestige attached, the cast might disintegrate amid the stresses generated by Knight's egotism, Grove's teasing, various players' attempts to upstage one another as scenes are blocked out, and general mayhem over romantic tangles. However, THE GLOVE is earmarked for success, so the cast remains in their pressure-cooker as the theatre reopens in a blaze of publicity with its namesake prominently on display.

Then six months into the play's run, Mr. Conducis announces that the real glove is to be sold to an American collector, and hell is let loose. The glove's special case is smashed open on its last night in the Dolphin, as is the head of the theatre's night watchman (who has been quietly developed as an appealing character to that point, making the crime doubly horrible). To cap it off, young Trevor apparently witnessed the crime and was badly injured. Alleyn is called in thanks to his experience in similar cases, and sets out to open the secrets of all hearts with his knack for extracting confidences under questioning.

I recommend the unabridged audio edition narrated by James Saxon, as well as his reading of its sequel, LIGHT THICKENS. As with much of Marsh's work, the story particularly shines when performed rather than simply read on the page.

Short on Mystery but Long on Excellent Writing
Although it is a bit short on actual mystery, KILLER DOLPHIN is probably the best-written of Marsh's novels set in the theatrical world, offering a sharply-written peep behind the curtain into a way of life that combines creativity, hysteria, obnoxious egos, and unexpected self-discipline.

On a whim, a promising young director tours a dilapidated theatre and almost falls to his death, only to be unexpectedly rescued by the property's eccentric and incredibly wealthy owner. The incident sets in motion a chain of unexpected events: the property owner, who is in possession of a glove made by William Shakespeare, rennovates the theatre and installs the young man as artistic director--who in turn writes a play inspired by the Shakespeare glove--which is in turn displayed to promote the play. But with such a valuable artifact in the mix, theft and murder are inevitable.

Marsh writes this particular novel with remarkable brilliance--so much so that the slightness of the story is actually rather beside the point. KILLER DOLPHIN is a remarkably well-written work, and should be required reading for all Marsh fans.

Good Theatrical Mystery
In "Killer Dolphin", an Inspector Alleyn mystery, Ngaio Marsh takes her celebrated detective into the world of the theatre: The Dolphin Theatre, to be exact.Alleyn himself makes a late appearance; for the first part of the book, the protagonist is Peregrine Jay (originally from New Zealand), a playwright and theatrical director who becomes caught up in theft, murder, betrayal, and even romance.The crime revolves around a glove reputed to belong to the son of the greatest English playwright (I won't spoil it!) and its connection to a shadowy billionaire.By the time Alleyn appears, Jay has witnessed backstage romance, intrigue, and mercurial tempers that threaten the production and possibly even the actors' lives.Marsh captures the theatrical world well, and expresses the diverse personalities and creativity that flourish on the live stage.She also delivers suspense and just enough romance to satisfy the reader without detracting from the main plot and character development.A good diversion. ... Read more

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"Dolphins Have a Strange Effect on Those Who Swim With Them..."
For the first time in the fifth book in Caroline Lawrence's "The Roman Mysteries" series, the focus shifts to Lupus, a young ex-beggar boy with a mysterious past. His friends Flavia (the daughter of a merchant), Jonathan (son of a Jewish doctor) and Nubia (the freed African slave of Flavia) know that Lupus doesn't like to discuss what happened to him before they met, and even if he wanted to, he couldn't - his tongue has been cut out. Respecting his privacy, the trio decided not to push him into revealing anything until he's ready. However, they know that it all has something to do with Venalicious the slave-dealer, as during a run-in with the hideous man in The Pirates of Pompeii, Lupus almost killed him.

After their adventures in Rome, as recounted in The Assassins Of Rome, the four children are relaxing in their homes in Ostia when they're disrupted by the arrival of an injured, ragged man who is soon identified as Captain Marcus Flavius Gemina: Flavia's father. Much like Antonio in "The Merchant of Venice," his ship has sunk in a storm, and all its cargo has been lost. It could not come at a worse time considering the bankers in the area are demanding repayment for Marcus's debts, and are ready to seize his house and belongings should he not raise the money in time.

Luckily, Pliny the Younger, the nephew of Admiral Pliny that the children befriended in The Secrets of Vesuvius, offers his villa to Marcus and the children whilst Marcus's twin brother tries to help out in the city. It is at Pliny's villa in Larentum that the children discover exciting news: there is a shipwreck off the coast that is rumored to have an immense treasure inside it. All four children have desperate cause to get their hands on that treasure: Flavia to save her father and home, Nubia to free her enslaved older brother, Jonathan to buy a home for his sister and fiancée, and Lupus for darker reasons: to pay for an assassin to kill Venalicious.

Gradually, light begins to unfold on Lupus's past. He reveals to the others that he is an adept sponge-diver, and that only he can sink down to the depths and search for the treasure. With call-backs from previous books (including the identity of the prisoner that Doctor Mordecai shared a cell with in The Assassins Of Rome), the other children piece together Lupus's history, and what happened to make him such an angry, intense eight-year old.

Lawrence has created a fantastic series of books, drawing on extensive research into the Roman era in order to make an historical-mystery that is populated with fascinating characters and which flows smoothly at an exciting pace. Her language is clear and descriptive, and which feature scenes that may well bring a tear to your eye: exceptionally beautiful is the moment in which the four children encounter a school of dolphins, among which Lupus finds some measure of peace.

"The Dolphins of Laurentum" is very much a story of healing, as Lupus comes to terms with his tragic past and the man responsible for it. As you may have realized judging by all the links to previous books, it is unwise to read "The Roman Mysteries" out of order. The children grow and change with each installment, and each passing book draws on the events and revelations of those that have gone before. Yet such is the quality of the over-arching story, tracking down the books in chronological order is more than worth the effort. It's impossible to come away from these books without learning something new about Roman history, or to not be moved by the experiences of the four children.

Great
This is a great book, with treasure and a couple of new cahracters that did not appear in the first few of the series. Read it now!!! ... Read more

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SEVERAL CLASSIC BOOKS FROM THE HEYDAY OF THE "SCIENTIFIC" STUDY OF DOLPHIN/HUMAN COMMUNICATION
John Lilly (1915-2001) was an American physician, psychoanalyst, and philosopher. He was also the inventor of the "sensory deprivation" tank, and---most important for this review---a pioneer scientific researcher in attempting to communicate with dolphins.

This book is a revised edition of three of Lilly's previously-published works: Man and Dolphin, Advantures of a New Scientific Frontier (1961); Dolphin In History (1963), and The Mind of the Dolphin: A Nonhuman Intelligence (1967), as well as several other papers, etc.

In the Preface to the earlier book, Lilly boldly proclaimed, "Within the next decade or two the human species will establish communication with another species: nonhuman, alien, possibly extraterrestrial, more probably marine; but definitely highly intelligent, perhaps even intellectual. An optimistic prediction, I admit."Interestingly, he adds in a footnote, "This prediction was made in 1960; in 1975 it has not yet transpired. I am returning to work with interspecies communication to try a new way of approach. Maybe, by 1980, we will know, one way or another."

"Man and Dolphin" dealt with Lilly's St. Thomas Laboratory (on the island of St. Thomas in the Caribbean) that operated from 1960-1968. It details his interaction with individual dolphins (such as "Lizzie" and "Baby").The "Mind of the Dolphin" deals much more in-depth, and details the much closer living arrangements that transpired between humans and dolphins in the later research.

The book concludes on the note, "They are eminently trainable in their body movements, swimming, coming to a given place, and such behavior as moving objects from one place to another. The present experiments show that they are also eminently trainable in the vocalization and acoustic spheres. The next step, a long one, is demonstrating that the dolphin can meaningfully use these sounds as we use language and speech."

One can buy lots of books---often with a "New Age" orientation---about "spiritual" communication with dolphins (e.g., Dolphin Connection: Interdimensional Ways of Living; Dolphins into the Future; Dolphins, ETs & Angels: Adventures Among Spiritual Intelligences), but Lilly's books were written when there was still great optimism about the SCIENTIFIC possibilities of such interspecies linguistic communication.The ultimate results were perhaps disappointing, but the work was nevertheless fascinating. ... Read more