Ever since his first contact with a gray whale as a teenager, Doug Thompson has had a passion for this majestic marine mammal. Here, he shares stories of whales he has met over his 30-year career and describes the thrill of interacting with these gentle giants. Weaving his own and others' fascinating personal accounts with factual information focused on two particular species - gray and Orca whales - he describes the hidden lives of whales, their mysterious migrations, and the modern threats they face in the world's waters. He also chronicles the efforts of human champions who have helped end whale hunting and initiate whale watching - a far preferable economic alternative - in the United States. Ideal for seasoned whale watchers and the general-interest reader, this appealing package includes color photos and maps as well as a first-rate companion DVD.