Natural History writer Todd McLeish has just completed writing his third book about rare wildlife, this one about narwhals, the northernmost whale on the planet and the one most threatened by global warming. Its seven-foot long spiral tusk – which helped to spawn the unicorn myth and which has caused a heated disagreement about its purpose – has created a genuine sense of wonder and mythology about this amazing animal. Tentatively titled Crossed Swords: The Narwhal and its Melting World, Todd’s third book will engage readers in an exciting examination of the many questions and curiosities that surround the sea unicorn.

This exciting book will take readers on several first-person adventures far above the Arctic Circle to see and study these remarkable whales. Todd will join several teams of narwhal researchers that are trying to answer the many questions that remain about the animal’s life cycle; visit the laboratories of a group of dental researchers delving deep into the mysteries of its tusk; meet with the Inuit to learn about their narwhal legends and observe them on their annual narwhal hunts; and examine centuries-old logbooks from whalers and explorers for early observations and insights into these curious marine mammals. Along the way he will learn about the many other unique animals living in the narwhal’s frozen world, from walruses and polar bears to bowhead and beluga whales, ivory gulls and two kinds of seals.

Check back soon to learn when Crossed Swords will be going on sale from the University of Washington Press.