'Of course Whale-shocked is about whales, the shocking history of whaling, and our changing attitudes to it. Written as a remarkable long-form poem, Sue Aldred uses her own family history from the 1800s when her ancestor sailed on the killer boats, at a time when whales were seen only as a resource, there for the plunder, through to the current century where she and her family support whale conservationists, understanding whales as awesome intelligent creatures with much to teach us. This is an important work. The historical detail is as fascinating as the poetry is powerful, and for once has a happier-than-most ending.' - Karen Throssell