There have been similar stories, but this has more substance to it than its predecessors. The background material of the early life of a sea lion up to the point of capture seems authentic; the years of captivity are based on actual experience on the part of a most successful trainer, who has telescoped the personalities and anecdotes of several sea lions in the story of Paddles, his capture, training, and stage and circus life, his taste of freedom and return to captivity, and his final escape from a burning ship, with his mate and ""pup"".