A Whale of a Tale

A A A Comments By Mark Dragotta Thursday, Sep 27 2007

"The Farley Mowat was an 180-foot all-black North Sea trawler that had been converted into, basically, a pirate ship," says Colorado adventure writer Peter Heller. "Its bow was ice-reinforced — ideal for ramming — and mounted with water cannons for defense. Then, four days out of Melbourne, Australia, two welders attached a seven-foot-long razor-sharp blade to the bow, which they called 'the can opener.' I think this is when I knew these guys were for real."

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In his new book, The Whale Warriors: The Battle at the Bottom of the World to Save the Planet's Largest Mammals, Heller accompanies vigilante Sea Shepherd Conservation Society founder (and Greenpeace co-founder) Paul Watson on a high-seas adventure to actively stop — or literally die trying — illegal Japanese whaling. Warriors recounts his two-month adventure under a Jolly Roger flag aboard the Farley Mowat — "a vegan attack vessel" — with Watson and his renegade environmentalist crew, which included, but wasn't limited to, a mix of Earth First! activists, semi-professional gamblers and ex-military personnel.

Heller will discuss and sign the book tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Tattered Cover LoDo, 1628 16th Street; admission is free. For more information, go to www.tatteredcover.com or call 303-436-1070.
Fri., Sept. 28, 2007

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