Author: Nathaniel Philbrick
ISBN: 978-0-00-812683-4
RRP: $22.99
I feel like I should start this with some background. I had read a little about the book but wasn’t really familiar with what I was getting myself into. What I did read was enough to intrigue me, but not prepare me.
In The Heart of the Sea is a TRUE STORY, it is also the story that inspired Moby Dick. I feel that I need to mention here that I haven’t read Moby Dick, I know it was about a whale but that’s about it. It’s a classic that I always thought I should read but never quite got around to.
I thought this was a new book but it’s just a new edition. First published in 2000 In The Heart of the Sea is now being made into a major motion picture starring Chris Hemsworth and this is the new edition. I want to say the movie tie in release but I’m not sure.
This book was written long after the story took place so as well as the events as they took place we read about all of the research that has gone into the book, all of the findings that have been made in the years since about the events and their effects on the people.
In The Heart of the Sea is the incredible tale of the sinking of the whaleship Essex from Nantucket but it is also an extensive study of Nantucket and of whaling in the early 19th Century.
Nantucket is a place I am familiar with, though it’s history was completely new to me. I know of it through books set in the trendy seaside tourist island, I did not know of it’s whaling history. Whaling, too, is something I knew of but nothing substantial about. I know that within my lifetime people have lobbied to have it stopped but that was about it.
In The Heart of the Sea has given me a working knowledge of 19th Century whaling and I feel that it’s barbaric, there were whaling scenes that turned my stomach. It was certainly eye opening and education is never a bad thing, I can certainly understand the lobbying to have whaling stopped.
I am struggling a little with what I want to say because I still haven’t fully processed it. Non-fiction is not usually my thing and my relationship with history is sketchy at best. This was written to follow the timeline of the Essex voyage though peppered with newer information and research. The writing style was well done, the way newer information was integrated with the account of the Essex voyage was easy to follow and always relevant.
This is where I am going to have real trouble vocalising because I found the book dragged and it was quite heavy reading. Yet I can’t really say that the pacing was off or slow because these poor whalemen was stranded at sea for 93 days and not a lot happens, I’m sure they felt it dragged a lot more than I did.
I think the movie will be fantastic and I don’t think it will drag because it will need to be condensed into a couple of hours. Having said all of that I think this was a well researched and well written book that Philbrick was clearly passionate about.
The way that Melville and Moby Dick are woven into In The Heart of the Sea tells the story of how Moby Dick was inspired to give a little insight into that book as well. I am definitely considering adding Moby Dick to my list of books to read.
I will be interested to hear other’s thoughts on this one, and especially from those who have read Moby Dick. An engrossing and educational read that captivated me even when I felt that I was working hard to make progress.
Nathaniel Philbrick is on Facebook and his Website.
In The Heart of the Sea is available from Harper Collins, Angus & Robertson Bookworld, Booktopia and where all good books are sold.
30 of our lucky readers will also be reading In The Heart of the Sea so please be aware there may be spoilers in the comments below.
I devour books, vampires and supernatural creatures are my genre of choice but over the past couple of years, I have broadened my horizons considerably. In a nutshell – I love to write! I love interacting with a diverse range of artists to bring you interviews. Perhaps we were perfect before – I LOVE WORDS!
What an amazing read this true story of one of the Whaling Industries long forgotten disasters. I must admit I did think to myself another “Moby Dick” styled saga-wow I sure was wrong. The lead up to that life changing moment when the ship befalls disaster gives a great look at the personal lives and attitudes of the men involved and how what happened altered their way of living for the rest of their lives. What befell these men was eerie in itself but once they depart the wreck in their whaling boats many true shocking events and merciless suffering begin to unfold. Alongside this is a form of bigotry and “cast filing” that in itself does cause the strange events near the final chapters to occur.
I read this tale in one sitting as the web of familiarity Nathaniel Philbrick weaves is both spellbinding and deep. This book is a true eye opener and page turner but the final additions to the story in the last chapters of the book were lacklustre indeed and really blunted the sharp tale that preceded them. Not a story to be compared with others and don’t be fooled into thinking its another Moby Dick as the only thing both stories have in common is the whale. A top read and one that to not experience would be a great loss.
Firstly, l am so glad l have been also chosen to read this incredible and fascinating story of both adventure and yet harrowing events that occurred on Nantucket.
A true story both written historically and well researched on the tragic death of these sailors and the fight for survival in pursuit of gain in killing whales. Nathaniel Philbrick is a historian who writes about the life and struggles these sailors had in living years out in the sea. If we one thinks this is a novel of fiction, one would be disappointed as it is an historical and true story with photos and one becomes emerged and feels the suffering these crews must have gone through leaving all behind. A book that dwells deep in the heart of the sea that grips you in knowing more what these men went through and the pursuit of one whale.
I must admit that when I first received my copy of In The Heart Of The Sea to review, I was sure that it wouldn’t be a book that I would hold in high regard, as the subject isn’t one that would usually appeal to me. However, I can say that this book took me by surprise and I actually did enjoy reading it.
Yes, it is very detailed, very well researched, and thoroughly described, which at times, can make the storyline drag, but having said that, I still found myself eagerly turning the pages!
The struggles that the seamen were faced with were described well. It is quite gory in parts but it was to be expected when describing the whaling process, and the cannibalism. I have to say that I did have to skim over the parts when it got a bit too much!
I would be very curious to see how this story has been adapted to film, and have put it on my list of movies to watch over the summer holidays.
I must also add that the pictures and photo’s were a fantastic addition to the book, and gave an even deeper insight into the Essex crew, and Essex itself.
Whilst I don’t think that this would be a book that would be enjoyed by a very big audience, I do think that it has a lot of interesting factual information regarding this historical time, and those with an interest in this area will thoroughly enjoy this book. Thank you for the opportunity to review.
Many thanks to Beauty and Lace for giving me the opportunity to read this book which I found interesting and compelling.
It gave me an insight and information about the world of whaling hunting and the lives of people living in those dangerous times.
Some details were very graphic regarding men ‘s living conditions and the way whales were killed.
However I enjoyed reading this informative and fascinating book. Again thanks
Thanks again for sending me a copy to read I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was very insightful into the world of whaling as the author did a lot of research about Nantucket, the history and the people the book featured on such as the captain “Pollard and Owen Chase”. I found it very interesting reading the endurance of mankind. I liked the end how it explained what happened to the survivors after their ordeal and how their lives became. I can’t wait to see the movie now.
I was lucky to receive a copy to review, and I (like some others) didn’t have much knowledge about the book other than – Chris Hemsworth is in the movie adaptation – and it is the true story which inspired Melville to write Moby Dick. I wasn’t too sure what to expect when I began to read the book, and now having finished it and taken some time to process it I’m still not sure where I stand with it!
Just like the whalers on the unpredictable open ocean I found myself changing course so many times whilst reading this book. I was bored, I was fascinated, I was overwhelmed with information, I wanted to know more, I couldn’t pick the book up, I couldn’t put the book down. You get the idea.
I found the book quite slow to start, but still appreciated the detail and research and effort that went into the creation of the book. While Owen Chase and Thomas Nickerson’s accounts of the Essex are the main sources of information author Nathaniel Philbrick was clearly very thorough in his research and so the final product gives you great insight into not only the story of the Essex but of the whaling industry, and everyday life in the 19th Century.
The majority of the book is taken up with what happened to the men in the 90 days they had to survive at sea after the Essex was attacked and sank. For me this was the most intriguing and enlightening part of the book, and captured my whole attention. The entire time you need to remind yourself this IS NOT fiction, this did happen. I’m always so amazed by stories of human survival.
What I really liked (and yet also really wish I could unread) was the depth of information Philbrick provides about what happened physically and mentally to the Essex survivors. He also mixes in stories of survival from other people throughout history pushed to the very edge to ensure their own survival.
While reading the book I found myself raving to friends and family about it and sharing facts I had picked up from the book, and while I do recommend it as a fascinating read, it definitely isn’t an easy read nor one for the faint of heart.
I can’t wait to see what they have done with the movie adaptation.
What an interesting book this one has been.
I thought In The The Heart Of The Sea would be a difficult read, but I found it written in such a way that I could follow it easily, and really wonder at the bravery of the Whale Hunting men in those early days.
The strain on the families left at home for years at a time while their husbands went to sea would have been incredible.
I just cannot get my head around that they were such tiny boats out in the open sea hunting whales – how they EVER came home again safely is amazing.
I found the details of life in the 1800’s very interesting. Also the way the sailors had to make do with what they had on a years long sea voyage, the foods they ate, and their beliefs of how things should be was enlightening.
The amount of research gone into the writing of this book is to be appreciated, as it draws the whole history of what happened together by merging the different reports from the whale hunters as to what actually happened in the 1820’s when the Essex was rammed and sunk.
I found myself continually flicking back to the maps and photos in the book, to see where the men sailed, and to try and grasp how far those 2000 miles must have felt in a tiny damaged leaking boat with 7 men aboard..
The true story is an amazing tale of survival of men pushed to their limits in a harsh and unforgiving sea. It tells what they have to do to survive. Tough and challenging decisions were made, and the writer describes this well.
I am glad I have read this book, and will go and see the movie when it is released.
Thank you Beauty & Lace for a very different book to read and review. I have learned a lot from it.
don’t know how many of you remember moby dick a true classic, The The Heart Of The Sea is like a remake, but with a little more details with maps and photos to give you a more visual experience something that is missing in a lot of books, it give me a sense of the hardship they had to endure on their trip in a tiny damaged boat with only a few men on board (7) its hard to believe that men could survive those conditions and to be away from their family for years at a time.
The Heart of the Sea is a book I would recommend to other readers it is well written, and very easy to follow at first I thought it would be hard to follow but it turned out to be quite the opposite.
this is one book i would gladly share with my local library book club to enjoy as well
In The Heart Of The Sea is a non-fiction book about an incredible, historic event that inspired the novel, Moby Dick, i.e. the downing of the Essex ship. The year was 1820 and whales were used to produce and supply oil to the world. But an unfortunate group of 20 men from Nantucket and other parts of the U.S. would meet their match. A huge sperm whale would ram their boat and the sailors were forced to endure an arduous and debilitating 90 plus day journey in the South Pacific Ocean in three leaky row boats.
Nathaniel Philbrick is a writer who lives in Nantucket and is no stranger to sailing. As a result of this, he was able to fashion a richly-detailed account of this true story (and In The Heart Of The Sea actually won him a National Book Award). This story references two main accounts, that of first mate, Owen Chase and that of cabin boy, Thomas Nickerson. Philbrick’s prose holds nothing back and is often quite gruesome and ghastly, but it is all necessary in giving context to such a horrific tale.
After their ship was struck by a large whale, the 20 remaining sailors would split up into three row boats. They could have set sail for some nearby islands in the South Pacific but they had been lead to believe that these places were inhabited by cannibals. The irony is that these castaways would eventually have to resort to such a treacherous act themselves. So instead, they exercised a series of grave errors of judgement, which lead them to sail almost 5000km against the currents and the winds towards South America.
They were out in the elements and would wind up suffering from severe dehydration, horrible skin boils and starvation. But the survivor’s stories are a testament to human strength. In The Heart Of The Sea is all about human endurance, discipline and determination, because some of these men actually managed to survive, despite becoming sickly, human skeletons that were inches away from death.
This book starts off a little slow and is dense but it does become a riveting and entertaining read, overall. There is a lot of drama and courage on display and it’s obvious that it was meticulously researched and lovingly put together by Philbrick. In The Heart Of The Sea sets the scene for a thriller in an unforgiving ocean where survival seems impossible, especially when the odds are stacked against you and you have to navigate through folklore, superstition and the high seas to boot. This is ultimately one amazing tale that should be compulsory reading by everyone.
Thank you Beauty and Lace for giving me this book to read.
I have never read Moby Dick either Michelle so you are not alone there.
This book is full of information related to whales and whaling and you do get to understand how hard life was on a whale boat.
Two to three years is a long time to be away from your wife and children and considering you are only home a few months I’d think you would be rather lucky to have any at all.
Then to realise the strength of the women left behind who have to carry on with life without their men for years at a time.
The story is written as a kindly and as factual as it could but I found it awful to read about whaling it really was hard at times to keep going.
Did it flow, well to me it did and it didn’t. You seem to be following a story and then it tends to drift off and makes it hard to keep up with what and where you are meant to be.
This is not a book that I would go out and buy for myself or as a present for anyone (unless they were doing research on whaling).
I did learn a lot about whaling and how hard life was and I am glad I pushed myself to read it all as there were many times I wanted to stop.