Interest in whale watching has greatly increased in recent years. This book is intended to meet the growing need for easy-to-read material on these mysterious creatures. It can be used both when observing whales in their natural environment and as a general handbook. All whales found
in the temperate and cold seas of the North Atlantic Ocean are covered in detail, while exceptional pictures highlight all the main distinguishing
features of the animals.

The book is divided into two parts. The first is a diagnostic key that allows users to easily identify the whales they see. The main physical features, habits and similar species are noted. The second part contains general information about whales, including the species found in the seas around Iceland.

Artist Jón Baldur Hlíðberg and writer Sigurður Ægisson also wrote the book Icelandic Whales – Past and Present which came out in 1997 but has been unavailable for a long time.