In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex
by Nathaniel Philbrick
Book Summary Information
Author: Nathaniel PhilbrickEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Published)
Format: Bargain Price
Published: 2000-05-08
ISBN: N/A
Number of pages: 320
Publisher: Viking Adult
Book Reviews of In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex
Book Review: The true, survival-at-sea tragedy that inspired Moby Dick
Summary: 5 Stars
Cannibalism! Starving seamen! A WHALE ATTACKING A SHIP AND WINNING. It is the story that Herman Melville patterned Moby Dick on, according to Philbrick, and it is a story that is so sensational and amazing that it is difficult not to become engrossed in it. Along the way, Philbrick also gives us a brief history of whaling and the island of Nantucket, but his writing style is so engaging that even this potentially dry bit of history becomes an entertaining lesson. He also addresses, briefly, the role that racism may have contributed to the survival of the seamen, leadership problems that played a part in creating the tragedy, and the question of what happened to the survivors afterwards.
I strongly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys adventure and survival stories, or has a special interest in New England or maritime history.
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