Killing Keiko: The True Story of Free Willy's Return to the Wild Paperback – October 20, 2014

This is a book that anyone who believes that "better dead than fed" should obviously avoid. This philosophy is just exactly what killed this wonderful animal!I had the experience that will last for a lifetime with Keiko! Shortly before he was taken from Oregon to be "set free," the family went to see this famous whale. It was explained that Keiko would usually pick someone from the audience to "watch" for the entire time they stayed there. As we walked in, Keiko came immediately to the viewing glass and looked right into my heart. For the entire time I was there, he stayed glued to the glass watching me. Until a news camera showed up and turned on the lights. Then, for Keiko, it was instant, "lights, camera, action!" He preened in front of that camera and showed off in every way possible. As soon as the lights went out, it was immediately back to me! It was almost as if there was a "Vulcan mind meld" between the two of us. He stared into my heart as I stared into his eyes. It was hours before the family came to drag me away. Also, it was closing time.It was so obvious to me that this whale devoured the attention that he was given on camera. There was no way, I knew then, that Keiko either wanted to be "set free," nor would succeed!When he was turned into a small bay in Norway, away from people whom he loved and devoured their attention, he was not even given proper medical care, regardless of being diagnosed with a disease similar to walking pneumonia. As such a diagnosis would have kept him on medical treatment the rest of his life, which would have been expensive, it was ignored. In the end, it was not a sudden onset, as we were led to believe by the media, but a formerly diagnosed, and ignored, condition. He was not even given regular medical follow ups when he was exiled. Never to be free, but in the minds of some. If he were allowed HIS freedom, he would have stayed with the kids swimming with him as he was so happy to find when he reached Norway. To starve this whale when it was obvious he was NOT eating on his own, to ignore medical diagnosis, and to think that his "freedom" was enjoyed by him when he had to constantly be "walked" by his keepers... this is just ignorance on the parts of anyone who thinks this whale died happy in the wilds!This book is a MUST READ if you are open minded and WANT to know the full story of what really did happen to this majestic creature! Now, don't get me wrong, I do NOT believe that whales should be captured and trained for circus events to please the money-grabbing people who do sponsor this. However, any animal should be treated with respect. Especially those in the captivity that they did not ask for nor desire. But when a whale has known nothing else, for fifteen of his seventeen years... it is just not conscionable to even consider that this animal would be capable of happiness once he is dumped back into the ocean!My ONLY complaint with this book is the cost! I thought for several months after reading the sample that was offered if it was worth my entire month's worth of book expenditures. Finally I did pay for it, as it was not offered as a loan by a public library. I am glad I did spend this amount. Even though I can't buy another book for the rest of the month. If this price were lowered, I think it would be best for really letting people know the "true" story instead of the fabricated media tales on the death of this wonderful creature!It is well written, well edited, and has basically zero typos. A must for anyone who is open-minded and WANTS to know the truth behind all the lies from the media!

I read this book because I wanted to read about what happened to Keiko. I am so sad to learn that the people who were supposed to help him actually failed him. I've always been taught that once a wild animal is in man's custody, rarely can they go back to the wild and survive. While freeing Keiko was a very noble cause, these people were delusional. His first encounter was awful and no one but Mr. Simmons and Robin realized just how traumatic it was for Keiko. Because no one else could see beyond their quest and the end of the MONEY! Ultimately, this is what killed Keiko. Bottom line: the money ran out. Other reviewers of this book are advocating the same situation for the whales at Sea World. I've never been to Sea World, nor am I a professional when it comes to animals. Common sense tells me that Keiko loved his human companions and knew nothing different. In the end, man let him down. That Naomi Rose is now trying to profit from her "documentary" makes me ill. She was the last person in charge of Keiko and basically starved him to death leading to his pneumonia.I'm more inclined to believe Mr. Simmons simply because I feel the compassion and love he has for the whales. It comes across very clearly in his book. I found the book to be informative as well as entertaining. Even though I knew how the book would end, I was as sad as when Keiko actually died. Thank you, Mr. Simmons, for sharing your experiences with the beloved Keiko as well as your experiences in Iceland. Other people complained about putting your experiences (or emails from your wife) in the book. I believe it showed who you are as well as learning about some of the colorful people and events of Iceland.

This book is a look into the real release of the infamous "Free Willy". Mark Simmons does an amazing job connecting you to the story. Throughout this book you begin to love and care for this whale although the title gives away the ending. You're drawn in by Marks ability to share Keiko's personality and then shown the struggle that took place in the hierarchy of this project. The first hand accounts of peoples ignorance will leave you upset and heart broken. This project took place because millions of kids, parents, and fans of "Free Willy" donated to see a captive Orca released into the wild. The whole country was behind this whale but through peoples ignorance and self interests, the project failed. We should referred to this book as the debate of captive Orcas is on the rise. This book will satisfy both anti captivity and those in favor with what it really looks like to release a wild Orca. As Mark describes, its not as if you can just drop one in the ocean. Overall, I've never smiled so hard, cried so hard, and felt for a book as this one. It's impossible not to fall in love with this playful "Big Man".

Very interesting,but also a bit sad as to read how these beautiful creates are treated & displayed to the public.

Although better if you have any animal husbandry experience, the topic will really get to you in a hard level. the book is a little long, in times heavy for lecture but a good eye opener about Human nature and our relation with animals.

A very good read from start to finish.

Excellent book, opens your eyes about free Willy and feel guilty about goin to sea world Orlando and San Diego all those years ago

a must watch

great read