Roar of the Sea: Treachery, Obsession, and Alaska's Most Valuable Wildlife

In Roar of the Sea, Deb Vanasse writes a swashbuckling narrative of treachery and obsession involving pirates, fur seals, competing governments, and near war, highlighting the historical characters, difficulties of reaching an international agreement to protect wildlife, and the significance of that treaty today.

Format: Hardback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 17 March 2022
Publisher: Graphic Arts Books

In her captivating book, Roar of the Sea, [Deb Vanasse] delves into a thrilling and intricate narrative that intertwines the lives of pirates, fur seals, rival governments, and the brink of war. With a vivid writing style and dramatic impact, Vanasse reconstructs the story of Henry Wood Elliott's relentless crusade to protect seals in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The reader is transported back to the bustling seal rookeries, the blood-soaked decks of sealing ships, and the opulent meeting rooms of national capitals. While highlighting Elliott's significant contributions to wildlife conservation, Vanasse also raises a sobering challenge: the seal rookeries on the Pribilof Islands are now facing new human-caused threats, and they require advocates of the 21st century to safeguard their survival.

The book offers a comprehensive history of the fur seal story, pitting artist and advocate Elliott against the notorious seal pirate Alex MacLean and a host of influential business and political figures. Vanasse, a former Alaskan now residing in Oregon, has conducted extensive research to bring historical characters to life, unravel the complexities of international wildlife protection agreements, and underscore the ongoing significance of those treaties.

A century ago, a series of treacherous events in Alaska's Bering Sea nearly led to world war. The US seized Canadian vessels, Great Britain positioned warships to strike the US, and Americans even killed Japanese pirates on US soil—all because of the dense population of northern fur seals gathered on the tiny Pribilof Islands. The herd's population plummeted from 4.7 million to 940,000 in just eight years, causing widespread devastation and economic hardship.

Roar of the Sea sheds light on these historical events and their profound impact on the lives of both humans and wildlife. It serves as a reminder of the importance of conservation efforts and the delicate balance between human interests and the preservation of natural ecosystems. Through her storytelling, Vanasse encourages readers to appreciate the beauty and fragility of the natural world and to advocate for its protection.

Dimension: 215 x 139 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781513209562