Douglas Carlton Abrams

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Whale Songs Changing

Posted by: dcabrams in Book Tour on Dec 03, 2009

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In my novel I was hypothesizing a dramatic change in whale songs. Well now one has been detected in blue whale songs. Check it out: http://snipurl.com/tjiw1 [www_dailymail_co_uk]

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The Garbage Gyre & Your Seafood

Posted by: dcabrams in Book Tour on Dec 01, 2009

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Here's a powerful article in the NYTimes on the plastic gyre in the Pacific Ocean and the efforts to understand the trash that we have dumped in the ocean (and the chemicals that are now leaching into the water, being consumed by the fish, and then returning to us in our seafood. http://snipurl.com/tib3k

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Great Blog Review by Chadwick Prichard

Posted by: dcabrams in Book Tour on Nov 28, 2009

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Eye of the Whale by Douglas Carlton Abrams is an action-filled eco-thriller that occupies the extremely unique niche of novels based on real-life environmental concerns. Abrams tells the detailed and adrenaline-pumping story of Marine Biologist Elizabeth McKay's quest to decipher the mysterious song of the humpback whale that had swum up the Sacramento River, an event with serious implications for mysteries of the animal kingdom.

As Elizabeth continues her search for the meaning behind the humpback whale's harmonious song, she becomes obsessed with validating her theory of the methods of serious whale communication and jeopardizes her marriage and personal relationships for the sake of her intensified research. In effect, Eye of the Whale provides an artful combination of personal tribulations and specific circumstances that highlight enduring and relevant eco-problems.

As climate change moves to the forefront of the political agenda, Eye of the Whale becomes an increasingly important novel to read. Not only will the premise of the well-crafted story grab your interest, Abrams has included so much relevant, scientifically-accurate information about oceanic pollution and the implications of excess fishing that he forces you to develop a much greater awareness about the manmade ecological problems that are threatening the survival of millions of species.

Unlike other novels that call for action in the 21st century, Eye of the Whale maintains a tone that distances itself from preachy and allows the reader to enjoy the plot and character development. Abrams illustrates his scenes in nature with such intense detail that you can feel, for example, as though you are deep beneath the sparkling waves of the ocean with a humpback giving birth, and you have a personal investment in the well-being of the baby whale.

In the inside front cover, author Douglas Carlton Abrams wrote: "To Chadwick -- Thank you for your work on behalf of your love for our planet. I hope the novel inspires you and many others to protect our home and our future." Eye of the Whale did this and more. The novel will change your perspective of the fight for environmental action and the need to protect the species whose lives are jeopardized by ecoterrorists and polluters. I highly recommend this breathtaking and scientifically-correct novel.

http://antipollutionrevolutioncampaign.blogspot.com/2009/11/novel-eye-of-whale-by-douglas-carlton.html

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Great Blog Review by Michelle Kokopelli

Posted by: dcabrams in Book Tour on Nov 28, 2009

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009

"Eye of The Whale" Review

This week I read one of the best novels that I've read in a VERY long time. A couple of weeks ago I found Dr. Greene's Blog and there was an amazing post by Doug Abrams called, "An Unprecedented Experiment on our Children." After reading the post, I knew I wanted to read more by this author. So, I contacted him and he graciously sent me a copy of his latest fact-based novel, "Eye of the Whale."

When I first began reading, "Eye of the Whale," I didn't know what to really expect. Abrams blog is about the dangers of chemicals and our children, and the book is about a marine biologist studying whale communication patterns. I'm not a book jacket reader and was wanting a surprise. But, I was really curious how Abrams was going to combine the two. I was immediately sucked in with the beautiful imagery of the whales and the complexity of the characters. Abrams seriously has a way with words! Then the book unexpectedly took a turn in to a full force suspense novel that I couldn't put down.

"Eye of the Whale" is a conglomerate of characters that fuse in a amazing and some times alarming way. The book begins with marine biologists at sea, studying whales and their speech patterns. The main character, Elizabeth, is on her last day of her exhibition when she hears an unusual pattern change in the whales song. She documents her discovery and uploads her data as soon as she gets home. Upon her return, she receives a notice from her professor that her funding has been cut and she is required to turn in her dissertation in a unrealistic time frame. At the same time, Elizabeth's husband had grown tired of her mental/physical absence and leaves her. As Elizabeth's life is spiraling out of control, a humpback whale, Apollo, was discovered swimming up the Sacramento River singing the same new song that was heard many miles away. Around the same time, scientists from all over the world began to hear other humpback whales singing the same song. Elizabeth knew something wasn't right and made it her mission to discover what the whales were saying and was committed to save Apollo- whatever the cost.

"Eye of the Whale," also delves into the lives of many other characters and how they intertwine, including: Elizabeth's whaler ex-boyfriend, whalers from all over the world, her neo-natal doctor husband, her animal rights activist best friend, professors, Apollo the whale, a Chemical Industry's CEO, members of the ESC, and more. My favorite quote is from a professor, "In other words, chemicals are innocent until proven guilty." That so sums up the lack of government testing chemicals!

This thoughtfully written book is packed with romance, science, suspense, ecological facts and so much more. It is so complex, I can't begin to explain the full force of the book without revealing some of its best parts. As a writer, I could only aspire to write something as creative and masterful as Doug Abrams has written.

http://mkokopelli.blogspot.com/2009/11/eye-of-whale-review.html

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Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families

Posted by: dcabrams in Book Tour on Nov 25, 2009

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I wrote a piece about how I discovered the dangers of toxic chemicals as I was working on Eye of the Whale and dangers I discovered for a site called Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families. Great site that is an important part of the growing movement to end toxic pollution in our world and in our children. Check it out here: http://bit.ly/5N67af. They also used a fun picture of a "daddy day" when my kids were young.

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Blogs: Alice Shebecoff and Dr. Greene

Posted by: dcabrams in Book Tour on Nov 02, 2009

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Lots of great activity in the blogosphere. Alice Shebecoff, the author with her husband, Philip, of the brilliant expose, Poisoned Profits, reviewed Eye of the Whale. Her own book is brilliant and names names in a way that the novel couldn't. Unfortunately, she's in a perfect position to explain that the villainy in the book is not fictional.

Also, had a great week blogging on green pediatrician, Dr. Alan Greene's site, and had an opportunity to talk about some of my deepest motivations and discoveries in the book. Hope you'll read them there, and check out Dr. Greene's site. He is the Dr. Spock of green health, and he is an incredible force for good in the world and potentially in your family. I wish I had had his books when our children were young.

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Belugas: Clever & Playful Sentinels of the Sea

Posted by: dcabrams in Book Tour on Oct 08, 2009

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I read this article about belugas with a mix of delight and sadness. These ocean cousins are so clever and creative and playful. Check out this photo of them blowing rings. And lots more images at this interesting article that calls them the cleverest creatures: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1218916/Lovely-bubbly-Beluga-whales-oceans-cleverest-creatures-arent-spot-fun.html

The sadness comes from realizing that belugas in the Hudson Bay are now so filled with chemical pollutants that when their bodies wash up on shore they must be treated like toxic waste.

From the Mail Online

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Saving Van Jones, Saving Our Planet

Posted by: dcabrams in Book Tour on Sep 04, 2009

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Dear Friends,

Van Jones is one of the most important voices in the White House for our planet and a green economy. Perhaps it is not surprising then that fearful people, who are invested in the status quo are attacking him. Glen Beck and other disciples of propaganda (repeat a lie enough and people will believe it) are going after him viciously. Here's a letter explaining the issue from my dear friends John and Ocean Robbins. I hope you will read it and do what you can to support one of our Real Life Heroes. We need to defend those who are standing up for saving our planet and our species.

Dear Friends,

Van Jones, a man whose life and work are committed to building a new green economy while generating jobs for some of the people who need them most, is under attack from the right wing attack machine. For those of us who have been touched by Van's life and message, now is the time to stand up for him, for the green jobs agenda, and for President Obama.

Van is the special advisor on green jobs for the White House Council on Environmental Quality. The right wing echo chamber seems to be all about divisive, negative politics, and having lost the White House last year, they are using familiar, negative politics to go after an African-American surrogate for Obama, Van Jones.

It seems like a kind of high-tech witch hunt. A newly desperate right wing is targeting a rising African American visionary who works in the White House, saying he’s a Communist. In fact, he’s a best-selling author whose work, and role in the White House, are all about using capitalism to help people and the planet. He’s been recognized by the World Economic Forum as a social entrepreneur, and his life is dedicated to creating private sector jobs that make the world a better place and improve America's energy security. Glenn Beck, Fox News, Ann Coulter, Sean Hannity, and Bill O'Reilly are saying he’s a dangerous radical extremist. In fact, he’s a kind, warm person who has built bridges across racial divides, class divides, and political divides. Mr. Beck loves to mention the fact that Van Jones was arrested twice. Again though, Beck never tells his audience that in neither case was Van Jones ever charged with any crime. Furthermore, Beck neglects to mention the fact that Van Jones actually won a lawsuit and monetary compensation based on the illegality of his arrest in one case.

Van Jones is someone worth defending. And for those of us who know his courageous spirit, his loving heart, and his wisdom, now is the time to speak. We are urging you to post on blogs, to send emails to lists, to contact or submit stories for media outlets, to comment on internet news articles, and to use any other mediums you have to tell the truth about Van Jones as you know him. In the next few days, we can expect a continued roar of negative publicity, out-of-context quotes, half-truths presented as "fact", and the continued vilification of a man whose life and work have inspired millions with visions of a socially just, environmentally sustainable, and economically robust economy. If you know the truth about Van, please help get the word out.

Feel free to forward this message widely, or to use any words in it that you find helpful if you wish to reach out to your own lists.

Yours for healthy people and a healthy planet,

John Robbins, author, Diet for a New America and founder of EarthSave International

Ocean Robbins, author, The Power of Partnership and founder of YES!

PS -- A few potentially useful links are here:

A former employer who knows Van well corrects the record

http://www.alternet.org/environment/142310/glenn_beck's_crazy_lies_about_van_jones

Thomas Friedman's New York Times article about Van's work and message

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/17/opinion/17friedman.html?_r=1

Van sharing his message on the Colbert Report (they call this a communist radical?)

http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/164563/april-01-2008/van-jones

Article exploring some of Glenn Beck's "facts" on Van Jones

http://www.examiner.com/x-5738-Political-Buzz-Examiner~y2009m9d3-Video--Glenn-Becks-most-recent-attacks-on-Van-Jones-and-911-Truth-reveal-his-own-hypocrisy

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We made the San Francisco Chronicle Bestseller List!

Posted by: dcabrams in Book Tour on Aug 21, 2009

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We made the list at #8! Thank you, Bay Area/Northern California! Week of August 16: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/08/16/RVOD196B9S.DTL

We were on the Northern California Independent Bookstores Bestseller List, too!

Warmly,

Doug

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The Cove--Please See It

Posted by: dcabrams in Book Tour on Aug 21, 2009

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Just saw the Cove with my son, Jesse, and our friend, Joel. Devastating movie. So important. Extremely courageous. And brilliantly made. If the thought of seeing dolphins slaughtered, keeps you out of the theater, reconsider. The movie is part adventure story, part marine documentary, part expose. The actual brutality is a very small part of the movie, although I won't deny it is heartbreaking. Seeing the trajectory of Ric O'Barry's career from Flipper trainer to anti-captivity activist is also moving, since perhaps no one has had such an intimate relationship with cetaceans. We enter their world, their consciousness, and their great other intelligence. What a mammalian homecoming it would be if we started to really see the uniqueness and true value of our seaborn cousins. There are many ways in which the Taiji story and the Cove fit into the wider story of the oceans and the biosphere told in Eye of the Whale. I think it is quite amazing that the culture is beginning to wake up to the need to change the cruel and self-destroying choices we are making. Can we save the whales? Can we save ourselves?

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