In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex

Nathaniel Philbrick

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In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex by Nathaniel Philbrick is a gripping account of the sinking of the whale ship Essex in 1819 after being attacked by a sperm whale. The book details the crew's harrowing journey of survival in small boats as they try to make their way back to civilization, facing starvation, cannibalism, and unimaginable hardships. Philbrick's writing style is described as a compelling page-turner, blending historical detail with memorable characters and thrilling adventure, reminiscent of a novel.

The book delves into the tragic tale of the Essex, which inspired Herman Melville's Moby Dick, providing a rich history of Nantucket's whaling industry and the psychology of leadership in extreme situations. Philbrick's extensive research is evident throughout the narrative, offering a deeper understanding of the crew's ordeal, the effects of starvation, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of hopeless odds. The story not only focuses on the disaster at sea but also explores themes of survival, humanity, and the sacrifices made in desperate circumstances.

Writing/Prose:

Nathaniel Philbrick's writing style blends captivating storytelling with thorough historical research, crafting an engaging narrative that reads like a thrilling adventure.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around the tragic sinking of the Essex by a sperm whale, focusing on the crew's harrowing struggle for survival, including themes of desperation and cannibalism.

Setting:

The setting encompasses the vast Pacific Ocean, the whaling industry of Nantucket, and the dire environments faced by the crew in their struggle for survival.

Pacing:

The narrative maintains a quick and engaging pace, especially during the survival phases following the shipwreck.

IT WAS, HE LATER REMEMBERED, “the most pleasing moment of my life”—the moment he stepped aboard the whaleship Essex for the first time. He was fourteen years old, with a broad nose and an open, eager ...

Genres:

Topics:

nantucket history

whaling industry

survivalism

psychology of survival

effects of starvation

leadership in crisis

survival against the odds

seafaring adventure

Notes:

The sinking of the whaleship Essex in 1820 inspired Herman Melville's Moby Dick.

The Essex was attacked by an 85-foot sperm whale, the first recorded instance of such an attack on a ship.

Owen Chase, the first mate, published a narrative recounting the shipwreck, which Melville read over twenty years later.

Thomas Nickerson, a 14-year-old cabin boy on the Essex, wrote his account of the tragedy at 71, offering a different perspective.

The Essex crew faced starvation, dehydration, and resorted to cannibalism as they drifted at sea for 93 days.

Most of the Essex crew were Nantucketers, Cape Codders, and some were African Americans who faced prejudice and hardship before and after the ordeal.

The survivors from the Essex were deeply affected by their experiences, and many returned to sea despite the trauma.

Philbrick integrates modern scientific research on starvation and dehydration to enhance the historical narrative.

The book discusses the social dynamics of Nantucket's whaling community, highlighting Quaker influence and economic motivations.

In the Heart of the Sea explores the moral dilemmas of the crew regarding cannibalism and survival.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include graphic descriptions of whale hunting, cannibalism, starvation, and the extreme psychological strain experienced by the crew.

From The Publisher:

From the author of In the Hurricane's Eye and Valiant Ambition, the riveting and critically acclaimed bestseller and a major motion picture starring Chris Hemsworth, directed by Ron Howard.

Chris Hemsworth, Cillian Murphy, Ben Whishaw, and Brendan Gleeson star in a film based on this National Book Award-winning account of the 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.

Ratings (33)

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Reader Stats (83):

Read It (35)
Want To Read (33)
Did Not Finish (2)
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1 comment(s)

ddaane061

Incredible

1 year

incredible human endurance and choices

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About the Author:

Nathaniel Philbrick grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and earned a BA in English from Brown University and an MA in America Literature from Duke University, where he was a James B. Duke Fellow. He was Brown University's first Intercollegiate All-American…

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