This book is a history of mankind's relationship with whales: the Arctic hunts where icebound ships went down in scores; "Mocha Dick," the giant whale who crushed ships and inspired Melville's tale; the whaling empires that rose and fell; and, in modern times, the ocean confrontations between the tiny boats of Greenpeace and the huge Soviet factory ships. Daniel Francis takes his story through the controversial era of modern whaling and beyond -- to what may be the final irony of man's relationship with the whale, the destruction of its environment through pollution. Illustrated throughout with period paintings, engravings and woodcuts, historical and contemporary photographs, and maps. Accurate, comprehensive and thoroughly researched, this book is for everyone who wants to know the long, extraordinary history of whaling. Hardbound, 288 pages, 44 black-and-white illustrations. Out of print, but we generally have several copies available for $35 (or less, depending on condition).