Fighting the Whales

"Fighting the Whales" by R. M. Ballantyne is an adventure packed narrative which follows Robert Ledbury, a young man who braves a whaling voyage in the South Seas to provide for his sick mother; as Robert fights the whales, he faces the dangers of the rough seas, and finds an unexpected sense of belonging among the hardened whalemen. Beginning in his impoverished hometown, Robert's determination to escape poverty leads him to Tom Lokins, a sailor who presents him with the chance to join a whaling expedition, an offer Robert takes, plunging him into a world of perilous hunts and awe-inspiring battles with massive whales, and the challenging culture of the crew. The first part of the story shows Robert's challenging journey as he adapts to the harsh realities of whaling, vividly portraying incredible encounters with colossal sea creatures and the manly culture of the crew.