Seal Wars: Twenty-five Years on the Front Lines of the Harp Seals
by Paul Watson, Key Porter Books, 248 pages, hardcover,
$32.95 ISBN 1-55263-510-4

By J. M. Smith

Paul Watson is the epitome of the crusader whom you would want on your side. This founding member of the Greenpeace Foundation and founder and president of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society is persuasive, knowledgeable, and exceedingly articulate. He roars, he rages and he convinces in this semi-autobiographical book about "Canada's shame" in his book, Seal Wars - Twenty-five Years on the Front Lines with the Seal Harp.

Watson give a detailed history of the seal hunt from pre-historic to modern times. We are not spared the details of the cruelty, danger and horror. While crediting many individuals and organizations for their support, he also slams government bureaucracy, the Department of Fisheries, Northern Affairs, the media, prime ministers, MPs, and even some Greenpeace members for their inconsistencies, lies and indifference. He presents the rationales in favor of the hunts and disproves each in turn. Alternative solutions for the sealers are detailed. They would, no doubt, be grateful for a change of occupation.