The author describes one of the most extraordinary nineteenth century survivals to be found in the world today, the open boat whaling still practised in the outer islands of the Azores. In 1969 Trevor Housby spent several months on the island of Pico getting to know the islanders, learning about their primitive equipment of harpoon, lance and canoa, and all the tricks of their dangerous craft. He experienced at first-hand the excitement when a whale's blow is first spotted, the thrill of the chase, the perilous moment when the fragile canoa lies in the shadow of the enormous fluke, or 'Hand of God', the long-drawn-out slaughter, and, finally, the laborious task of trying out the creature back at the factory. Aided by his unique photographs, the author gives a dramatic picture of a dying art, vividly evoking one of the few remaining arenas where man and beast still lock together in mortal combat.

Ex-library copy with the usual stamps.