From the author of the forthcoming book, Valiant Ambition, the riveting and critically acclaimed bestseller, soon to be a major motion picture starring Chris Hemsworth, directed by Ron Howard, premiering on December 11, 2015Chris Hemsworth, Cillian Murphy, Ben Whishaw, and Brendan Gleeson will star in a new film based on this National Book Award–winning account of the true events behind Moby Dick. true events behind Moby Dick.
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—and now, its epic adaptation for the screen—will forever place the Essex tragedy in the American historical canon.
From the Trade Paperback edition.
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I believe much of this was covered by the documentary “into the deep,” but it is still and interesting and informative read, very well written.
One of my favorites!
I’m a fly fisherman; I love the water; I love the ocean; I love the fishes in the deep blue sea; oh my, apologies for that one; I didn’t even see it coming until it flew out of my fingertips.
I’ve always had the romantic enchantment with Nantucket; well, that cooled quite a bit after this story. I rooted for the whales. It’s horrible what the …
In the Heart of the Sea shows clearly how masterful Philbrick can be in his writing. Instead of giving us yet another “the real story of Moby Dick,” he offers great insight into the world of the New England whale ship era. Instead of dry, textbook like prose, his historical insight is almost emotive – readers can fully imagine the wives on the …
I couldn’t put this book down!
Great story. A rival to Moby Dick.
This is the true story that inspired MOBY DICK. As I recollect, some of the details are even more bizarre than the narrative in that great novel.
A great depiction of life aboard whaling ships. It’s not a job for the faint of heart…
Great narrative, historically based. Adventure, drama, tragedy and triumph all in one book. I was very pleased with the film adaptation in spite of the film not getting its due. Nat is one of my favorite maritime historical fiction writers.
I also enjoyed his Second Wind memoir which was re-released after many years since original publication. It …
Very interesting story. Will keep you riveted until the end.
liked it very much. It gives an insight into the whale trade of the 1700’s & 1800’s. and its effect on the environment and the economy.
Discovered that the conditions in the whaling industry at that time were on a spectrum from tough to brutal. So much for the romance of a sailor’s life.
In the Heart of the Sea serves a distinctly useful function by reporting directly and evenly the information about a huge sperm whale’s ramming of the whaler Essex and what followed that surprising attack. The book is full of details about the event, the whaling industry, the work sailors and officers did, and the locations and environments in …
An excellent read touching on leadership, class struggle, adventure, and fate. The story is fascinating and makes me anxious to see the movie for the first time in years.
This is an account of the sinking of the whale ship Essex. It’s the event that influenced Melville’s Moby Dick. But, there is much more here. It’s a great read into the mindset of these sailors and their day to day existence. It’s also a story of survival after the sinking of the ship. Highly recommended!
Awesome but I seeing the movie first brought out the horror of what the doomed crew and captain faced during their time aboard the Essex
Another wonderful book.
One of my all time favorite books. Great historical fiction.
He is an excellent writer. I have enjoyed and learned much from all his books.
I love anything by Philbrick. His books put you — LIVE — on the scene. In clear, well articulated prose, based on thorough research, he places you at the scene. And you don’t have to have a historian’s perseverance to get there.
Any fan of Moby Dick or sea/ adventure stories in general will enjoy the saga of the Essex. It’s a shame that the …