"Blood & Guts" by Australian journalist Sam Vincent is a behind-the-scenes investigation into whaling and a tale of two countries. Australia is on one side, united in its love of whales and its condemnation of Japan, which has refused to stop killing whales in the Antarctic despite (or perhaps in spite of) global and legal condemnation. Add in the "divine actions" of animal rights activists and it makes for a great story. If only the story were that straightforward.
Vincent admits as much in the prologue. Once back on dry land after returning from 3½ months at sea with Sea Shepherd — whose mission is to prevent Japanese boats from killing whales — Vincent struggled to explain the essence of the conflict to his editor. "What this conflict is about is much harder to explain than what it's not about, because it sure as hell is not about whales," writes Vincent.