The first intimate account of dolphin life in the wild. Dolphins are seen up close, in their natural environment and we get a picture of their individual identities. Smolker comes to know the history, relationships and identities of individual dolphins and assesses how like us they really are: intelligent, social and emotionally complex. Her experiences can be fascinating, inspiring and at times heartbreaking but always they help to unravel the mysteries that surround dolphins. This is a personal book, both at the level of the scientist and in its descriptions of dolphins, which enhances our understanding of these much-loved animals.