Red Leviathan: The Secret History of Soviet Whaling by Ryan Tucker JonesMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Recommended reading! I was unaware of the sheer scale of Soviet whaling. It was extensive and secretive, and its impact on global whale populations was profound from the 1960s. Jones brings to light the sheer scale of the Soviet whaling industry and its environmental and ecological consequences. The Soviet Union prioritized economic gains and political prestige far more than a possible demand for the products whaling could provide.
The book gives a good understanding of the motivations of whalers, scientists, and plan bureaucrats, showing how ultimately the whaling stopped under leader Mikhail Gorbachev. The author has done research in previously closed archives and interviewed some of the people active back in the day.
In all, an interesting read with some rather poignant questions regarding environmental management, economics, politics and ecology.
View all my reviews
