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Informative,
Interesting,
Adventurous

10 reviews

In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex
by Nathaniel Philbrick

Published: 2001-05-01
Paperback : 320 pages
39 members reading this now
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14 members have read this book
Recommended to book clubs by 10 of 10 members
From the author of Mayflower, Valiant Ambition, and In the Hurricane's Eye--the riveting bestseller tells the story of the true events that inspired Melville's Moby-Dick

Winner of the National Book Award, Nathaniel Philbrick's book is a fantastic saga of survival and adventure, ...
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Introduction

From the author of Mayflower, Valiant Ambition, and In the Hurricane's Eye--the riveting bestseller tells the story of the true events that inspired Melville's Moby-Dick

Winner of the National Book Award, Nathaniel Philbrick's book is a fantastic saga of survival and adventure, steeped in the lore of whaling, with deep resonance in American literature and history.

In 1820, the whaleship Essex was rammed and sunk by an angry sperm whale, leaving the desperate crew to drift for more than ninety days in three tiny boats. Nathaniel Philbrick uses little-known documents and vivid details about the Nantucket whaling tradition to reveal the chilling facts of this infamous maritime disaster. In the Heart of the Sea, recently adapted into a major feature film starring Chris Hemsworth, is a book for the ages.

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Member Reviews

Overall rating:
 
 
by angie s. (see profile) 09/12/16

 
  "The heart of the sea"by Melissa K. (see profile) 02/24/16

Interesting history of whaling and the Nantucket culture

 
  "The Heart of the Sea"by Anita S. (see profile) 11/19/15

Amazingly well-researched and documented. With all of that, it still reads like a novel. I am amazed that these whale-catching men routinely went on what looks t me like a near suicide mission.

 
  "In the Heart of the Sea"by Carol S. (see profile) 09/12/15

This book was selected as the "One Great Read" by our local libraries. Our book club reads that selection each year. We receive many responses concerning the book. For myself, I enjoyed the book. It... (read more)

 
  "In the Heart of the Sea"by Diane W. (see profile) 09/10/15

Well written historical book about the sinking of the Essex in 1800s and whaling. The event was the basis for fiction tale Moby Dick. Not a book I may have chosen on my own, but important & interesting... (read more)

 
  "Survivors!"by Katha S. (see profile) 05/21/12

 
  "In the Heart of the Sea"by Karen C. (see profile) 12/28/11

I had borrowed this book from my father and held onto it for years before finally starting it. I was worried that it would be too dark and depressing. While the story definitely is dark, it is also written... (read more)

 
  "In The Heart of the Sea"by Nancee M. (see profile) 06/05/11

Great book. Hard to put down.

 
  "In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex"by Janean A. (see profile) 05/26/11

This is a must read! Hard to believe it actually happened.

 
  "Surprised..."by Leah F. (see profile) 05/26/11

When my friend picked this book I thought "I may not read this month's book" but I am so glad I did. I could not put it down. I thought about it all the time and talked about it constantly with innocent... (read more)

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