By Nathanael Philbrick
Nathaniel Philbrick’s book won the National Book Award with its true saga of survival and adventure. It is a must read for anyone interested in American history and lore.
In 1820, Nantucket, Massachussetts was at the center of American prosperity as the epicenter of the whaling industry that brought power and light to the nation decades before Edwin Drake discovered oil. The inspiration for Moby Dick, this fascinating and true story depicts the whaleship Essex journey from Nantucket to the new whaling grounds in the Pacific Ocean. A sperm whale rammed the ship, causing it to sink. The crew was left with 3 small boats and drifted in the sea for more than 90 days. Throughout the book, Philbrick uses incredible detail of the whaling industry to reveal the chilling facts of this infamous maritime disaster. From cannibalism, thought provoking details of survival and the community’s response to the details revealed from those who were rescued, it is easy to see why Philbrick won numerous awards with his gift for storytelling.