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In the Heart of the Sea

The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex

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In the Heart of the Sea

Written by: Nathaniel Philbrick
Narrated by: Scott Brick
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About this listen

National Book Award, Nonfiction, 2000

The ordeal of the whaleship Essex was an event as mythic in the nineteenth century as the sinking of the Titanic was in the twentieth. In 1819 the Essex left Nantucket for the South Pacific with 20 crew members aboard. In the middle of the South Pacific, the ship was rammed and sunk by an angry sperm whale. The crew drifted for more than 90 days in three tiny whaleboats, succumbing to weather, hunger, and disease and ultimately turning to drastic measures in the fight for survival.

Nathaniel Philbrick uses little-known documents, including a long-lost account written by the ship's cabin boy, and penetrating details about whaling and the Nantucket community to reveal the chilling events surrounding this epic maritime disaster. An intense and mesmerizing read, In the Heart of the Sea is a monumental work of history forever placing the Essex tragedy in the American historical canon.

©2000 Nathaniel Philbrick (P)2000 Penguin Audiobooks Americas United States World

What the critics say

"Fascinating...One of our country's great adventure stories...when it comes to extremes, In the Heart of the Sea is right there." (The Wall Street Journal)

"A book that gets in your bones...Philbrick has created an eerie thriller from a centuries old tale....Scrupulously researched and eloquently written...it would have earned Melville's admiration." (The New York Times Book Review)

"Spellbinding." (Time)

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The audio was perfect with no issues at all. Great story as well. The references are cited at the end of the book, rather than throughout which made it more enjoyable to listen to.

Excellent

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Absolutely loved this book! Very detailed account and well read by the narrator. Yes, the last section was long, but it did offer some interesting tidbits of information. What a story!!!

Fantastic account of the Essex!!!

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The reading was fantastic!
The story of the Essex was well researched and described!
Loved all of it

everything is awesome

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This book is very captivating and informative—all of which was essential to tell this incredible story, and because of this I needed to listen to the audiobook twice to catch details I missed the first time (and I enjoyed every second of it). I ended up watching the movie after I heard it the first time and was so disappointed because the experience of these sea men could not possibly be captured in a movie, the detail by the author was just outstanding. Definitely recommend. And would listen to it again.

I loved it so much I listened to it twice!

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I really enjoyed the story but the last 2 hrs can be cut down. Thanks

Good

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