A naturalist and long-time resident of Cook Inlet on Alaska's Kenai Peninsula, Lord combines her own observations of beluga whales with insightful interviews in this tale of natural history, culture and conservation. From the Publisher: Beluga Days is a wonderful evocation of the wilderness of coastal Alaska and the Native communities that still eat whale meat and depend on local foods. It is also a foray into the fascinating labyrinth of Alaskan culture, history, and politics, as the complex relationships in this unique state coalesce in a mad theater around a crisis-the decline of the beluga whales in Cook Inlet, an isolated and genetically distinct population. Beyond its compelling characters and particulars, Lord's story offers readers a deeper understanding of the often uncomfortable, often rewarding, juxtaposition of humans and the natural world.  (BST90, $16.95)