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He presents excellent detail on what these men went through during several months in open whaleboats alone in the Pacific ocean with little more than several ounces of water and hard tack a day. Their personalities actually had them reversing roles. He also explains how, with female whales living together to take care of their young and adult males leaving for higher altitudes returning only intermittently, the Nantucketer's life "mimicked that of their prey" (pg. 100). This account offers information about storm damage to the Essex that occurred early in its voyage that was not deemed important by Chase as well as additional information not offered in the Chase book. Those who remained in the boats after a stop at an island who lived to be rescued did so by committing horrific acts of survival.Among other sources, Philbrick uses accounts of two of the survivors.
One of the accounts, written by first mate Owen Chase, was published not long after they were rescued. An account by cabin boy Thomas Nickerson, written late in his life, was not published until the Nantucket Historical Association released limited copies in 1984. In "In the Heart of the Sea," Nathaniel Philbrick writes a fascinating and horrifying account of what happened to a group of sailors whose whaleship Essex was attacked and sunk by a sperm whale in the Offshore Ground of the Pacific on November 20, 1820. The book ends with information on what happened to the survivors, how their story was received by Nantucketers and the legacy of whaling on Nantucket today. He compares the leadership styles of Captain Pollard and first mate Chase. On the ultimate decision immediately following the destruction of the Essex, Philbrick notes: "Only a Nantucketer in November 1820 possessed the necessary combination of arrogance, ignorance, and xenophobia to shun a beckoning (albeit unknown) island and choose instead an open-sea voyage of several thousand miles" (pg. Included are two sections of glossy, black & white photos and illustrations and two important maps covering the voyage of the Essex and the route taken by the whaleboats.
Sources used include a study on starvation done by the University of Minnesota's Laboratory of Physiological Hygiene during World War II and other accounts of shipwrecks. Most of these men did not survive. 71). Philbrick also incorporates other source materials to describe as best as possible what the men went through suffering progressive stages of starvation, dehydration, hypothermia, hypernatremia (excess salt), and even a lack of magnesium that can cause bizarre and violent behavior. Philbrick also conducts excellent analysis of those involved in the tragedy. "In the Heart of the Sea" is not only an illuminating account of a tragedy but also covers the life and mentality of Nantucket during a time when whaling dominated. What the men on those whaleboats did to survive will not be soon forgotten by anyone who reads "In the Heart of the Sea."
Of course those three books I mentioned had a big advantage - actual survivors for the author to interview. First let me say I am a big fan of survival against all odds types of books. This event took place in 1820 so the author had less to go on. I have read and loved Alive, Forever on the Mountain, In Harms Way, etc. This would not rank up to those standards in my opinion. All that being said, if you are a fan of survival books this is worthwhile. A 3 out 5 sounds right on.
I adore tales of survival, especially when set at sea and this is truly one of the best. That it is so well- conceived and written puts it on my personal list of top ten non-fiction books. It's a real page turner, you won't be disappointed.
book arrived on time and in good condition. would definetly purchase from this merchant again.
a bare facts historical account of the sinking of the Essex by a sperm whale and the enfolding events after that. The failure of the captain led to unnecessary loss of life when he gave in to his first mate's influence to sail east in the small whaleboats, in spite of his own gut feeling that they should sail west. We may not like some of the decisions they made in order that some of them might have the chance to stay alive, but we until we are in their shoes we cannot be judgmental.great book
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