In the Heart of the Sea;

Okay, I never read the book by Herman Melville, only seeing the movie with Gregory Peck, but the author is mentioned in this account quite a few times. I will not say much about the contents as I don't want to spoil it, but this gives what to me is an in-depth look at what it means to be the survivor of a shipwreck in the olden days. There is a wonderful overlook at Nantucket Island and how island life is lived. It introduces readers to the captain, first mate and crew, and how they work with each other. You get quite a lot on the voyages of the Essex well before the attack so you get a feel for the difficulties between captain and inexperienced crew. You learn where things are stored on the ship and how whales are hunted and harvested. Then comes the attack and the horrendous voyages of the three open whaleboats. There is mention of the incredible journey taken by Lieutenant Bligh and his men after the Bounty was taken over by the mutineers, and other accounts of shipwrecks. It is packed with so much details on the hardships of the men of the Essex. I have read all but the epilogue, but I read through the chapter that speaks of what happened to those who survived and experiences when they returned to life aboard a ship. It was a remarkable accounting of all that took place and I will read it again.(Amazon customer)