Books
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A number of books have been published relating to the Eden Story, as well as
numerous magazine and journal articles. Eden had a number of newspapers such as
“the Propellor” and “Magnet”which carried articles detailing whaling events. Articles such as “The Law of the tongue” appeared in 1908. “Lone hand magazine” of 1908 contained a detailed story with interviews with George Davidson. Dakin
devoted a chapter to the Eden story in his book “Whalemen Adventurers”.
Early Eden resident H.P Wellings, brother of photographer C.E.Wellings published
a numberof small booklets devoted to the story. These are still available
through the Eden Killer whale Museum.
Danielle Clode
Most recently, zoologist Danielle Clode has written Killers in Eden, a detailed
scientific work on the Eden whaling story researched from original sources. It
details the remarkable cultural adaptions and intelligence of killer whales.
In the light of modern scientific knowledge, Danielle speculates on the possible
social structure of the Eden killer whale pod and the various reasons for their
interaction and co-operation with the human whalers. Presently out of Print.
Danielle also features in person in the ABC natural history unit documentary on
the Killers in Eden.
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The first substantial effort to document the Eden Whaling story in a
comprehensive way was undertaken by Sydney Journalist Tom Mead for his book “Killers of Eden”.
Tom spent over 15 years researching the story , both examining archives and
interiewing master whaler George Davidson and his family.
After winning the trust of George Davidson, Tom Mead was able to ask George to
sort the fact from fiction and produce an accurate, yet dramatised account of
the story of the Killers and their remarkable cooperation with the Davidsons.
Killers of Eden has sold tens of thousands of copies and is still in publication
by Dolphin Books.
Tom Mead has published numerous other dramatised yet factual books, many with
nautical themes such as “The Fatal Lights” “The Seven Mile ships” “Empire of Straw” as well as “Man is never free” and “Breaking the News”.
Sadly, Tom passed away in 2004.
Tom’s books are available through the website of Dolphin Books.
Whalemen of Twofold Bay
An excellent visual companion to “Killers of Eden” is this book by Rene Davidson, grandson of George Davidson.
It is an extensive compilation of photographs of the whaling days, providing
ample visual evidence of the veracity of many of the stories told of Eden
Whaling.
Rene spent many years contacting relatives and townsfolk all over Australia to
track down and copy as many original photographs as possible detailing the
whalers, locations and killer whales of Twofold Bay.
Many of these historic photographs were originally taken by Eden residents
C.E.Wellings and W.T. Hall.
Rene has also published a companion volume “Eden Revisited” which photographically details life in Eden and surrounds and various historic
personalities, locations and industries.
Both books are available through the Eden Killer whale museum store.
Alternately, orders can be faxed directly to Rene on
612 64963369 or by mail : Rene Davidson, 31 Maling st Eden 2551 Australia. Price , approx. AU $35 + shipping
Davidson Of Kiah
This is an as-yet unpublished work by Don Davidson (now deceased).
“Davidson of Kiah” is a detailed and non dramatised rigorously accurate history of the Davidson
family describing their original sea voyage to Australia from Aberdeen,
Scotland and follows the many adventures, exploits and tragedies of the
generations of whaling Davidsons in Australia.
Contrary to the stereotype of boistrous hard drinking whalers, loungeing in
taverns, Don reveals the first generations of Davidsons to be strict,
tea-totalling, hardworking, thoughtful presbyterians.
The book covers many details of life at Kiah and documents many fascinating yet
little known Davidson family annecdotes and facts. The book is available by
special request in limited runs from Rene Davidson.
