The Two-Headed Whale

Reviews / Votes

'The Two-Headed Whale challenges preconceptions of the Antarctic, splicing in themes of colonialism and capitalism and their links to both environmental and human exploitation. But it is also a call to conflicting voices in the climate debate to strive for mutual understanding and better communication in the hope of a concerted, cohesive and effective approach to the crisis' -- Sally McDonald * Sunday Post * 'Winterbottom has combined the story of a teenage whaler's death with her shock at the state of the Antarctic today... the book cleverly weaves these two tales together' * Sunday Times * 'An alluring-sounding blend of travel and nature writing' * The Bookseller * 'A triumph of research... a moving and compassionate eulogy for a young man who, without Winterbottom, would have remained anonymous and unremembered' -- Alastair Mabbott * The Herald * 'Compassionate and clear sighted, The Two-Headed Whale brings vividly to life a little-known part of the world, and a little-known part of British history' -- Malachy Tallack 'A poised, clear-eyed and nuanced exploration of large themes, this book faces up squarely to concerns that are both personal and global. The writing - impassioned, resolute, restrained - is affecting and will endure' -- Kevin MacNeil 'Sandy Winterbottom has written a book that succeeds beautifully in combining a personal travelogue, a historical biography, [and] an environmental call to arms' -- Ken Lussey * Undiscovered Scotland * 'Preconceptions about the Antarctic and commercial whaling are challenged in The Two-headed Whale' -- Michael Alexander * Dundee Courier * 'one of the virtues of his book is that as much empathy is extended to the human workers as to the cetacean mysteries' -- Stuart Kelly * The Scotsman * 'A majestic look at the barbaric heyday of commercial whaling in the Antarctic Ocean and the lingering consequences for its practitioners and the planet' * The Boston Globe * 'The story of Anthony Ford is unlike the heroism of Shackleton, but it's a real story, a gem hidden in the history of Antarctica that deserves to be told ... it's as close to history as one can get. Recommended!' -- Lex van Gronigen 'As accessible as it is intriguing... We are left with a powerful sense of loss and love for our planet and our home' * Farming Scotland * 'A majestic look at the barbaric heyday of commercial whaling in the Antarctic Ocean and the lingering consequences for its practitioners and the planet' * The Boston Globe * 'A meticulously researched account of the final days of the whaling industry in Antarctica, interweaving the author's voyage to Antarctica with the tragic final voyage of a young Edinburgh whaler' * The Saltire Society * 'A fascinating blend of fact, fiction, memoir and travel writing that defies categorisation' * The People's Friend *