NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The classic suspense novel of shark versus man, which was made into the blockbuster Steven Spielberg movie. The Jaws phenomenon changed popular culture and continues to inspire a growing interest in sharks and the oceans today. When Peter Benchley wrote Jaws in the early 1970s, he meticulously researched all available data about shark behavior. Over the ensuing … data about shark behavior. Over the ensuing decades, Benchley was actively engaged with scientists and filmmakers on expeditions around the world as they expanded their knowledge of sharks. Also during this time, there was an unprecedented upswing in the number of sharks killed to make shark-fin soup, and Benchley worked with governments and nonprofits to sound the alarm for shark conservation. He encouraged each new generation of Jaws fans to enjoy his riveting tale and to channel their excitement into support and protection of these magnificent, prehistoric apex predators.
This edition of Jaws contains bonus content from Peter Benchley’s archives, including the original typed title page, a brainstorming list of possible titles, a letter from Benchley to producer David Brown with honest feedback on the movie adaptation, and excerpts from Benchley’s book Shark Trouble highlighting his firsthand account of writing Jaws, selling it to Universal Studios, and working with Steven Spielberg.
Praise for Jaws
“A tightly written, tautly paced study of terror [that] makes us tingle.”—The Washington Post
“Powerful . . . [Benchley’s] story grabs you at once.”—The New York Times Book Review
“Relentless terror . . . You’d better steel yourself for this one. It isn’t a tale for the faint of heart.”—The Philadelphia Inquirer
“Pure engrossment from the very opening . . . a fine story told with style, class, and a splendid feeling for suspense.”—Chicago Sun-Times
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i read this book as a kid. I was forever reading my parents books. It was horrifying! I loved it! This is a really great book. A lot of you have seen the movie, of course. But sometimes the book is better…this may be one of those times.
My Thoughts – The classic read of a oceanic monster in the form of a shark terrorizes the small town of Amity. A vast array of characters forced to contend with uncharted horror generates an intense flow for the reader. Peter Benchley manages to single handedly frighten all of America within 278 written pages.
A classic. Re-read a few summers ago staying on Martha’s Vineyard, where the book is set (or at least the movie was filmed). Managed to freak myself out enough that I did feel a little uncomfortable swimming.
Enjoyed reading the book a lot more to the story than was in the movie
This is, no pun intended, a great beach read. A fast paced, entertaining book that doesn’t demand too much thinking it tells the classic story we all grew about the giant killer shark but has a bit more layers than the movie. Who would have thought the Mafia and romance were part of the package?
For anyone who has ever seen the Iconic movie JAWS this is an absolute must as it is dramatically different in many ways. The film in hindsight is a marvellous adaptation of the original Benchley classic and even gave homage to the man himself by casting him in a small role, but the depth of characters can better be explored in the words on the …
I read this book when I was very young. I found an old worn copy at an antiquarian bookstore in Copenhagen. I didn’t expect much. However, I really loved it. Read it in one sitting the same afternoon.
Just saw the movie again and remember how much I loved the book. I need to re-read it.
Jaws was written a long time ago, and some of the language immediately clues you in on that. It was strange to read a book with language I’m not used to seeing in literature. However, the story ensures. This was a great beach read (if you’re brave). 😛
Peter Benchley wrote a book that would grip generations into fear of the ocean. This is a must read!
Just as epic as the movie. The protagonist’s personal issues are so much deeper and well developed in the book, too.
I usually find that no movie matches up to the book upon which it was based. I’ve always loved the movie, and finally read the book. Big disappointment. Spielberg’s story is much better than Benchley’s. Better plot, better characters.
This book is terrifying and so suspenseful. I loved it. Don’t want to go in the ocean any more however!
I actually think the movie is better which is unusual.
Good read, but strangely I enjoyed the movie more than the book (which I read before seeing the movie). That almost never happens; movies tend to destroy some really good books.
Kind of disappointed. One of the few times where I preferred the movie over the book.
Read this book when it first came out. Thought it was scary then, still do.But I was glad to read the story,since I couldn’t handle the movie! Anyways the book was great.
I actually did not like this book. The book is nothing like the movie. Poor and boring reading.
So much different than the movie. First time, I think, that I liked the movie more than the book.
I read this years ago, before the movie and like any movie made from the book some was left out of the movie that was in the book, most was made visual, and some was just plain tawdry…in the book. They left it out of the movie entirely. A side story that didn’t enhance the movie or the book at all. Thankfully it never became part of the movie …