Rating: 
Summary: Starts slow but really turns into a gripping read
Review: In the Heart of the Sea brings to life early nineteenth century Nantucket and makes it have an impact in our modern world. Upon first glance, I felt as if there would no way for me to connect to these men of a bygone era, but reading their harrowing tale, and seeing the way in which they reacted to the trying circumstances they were caught in, turned this nonfiction account into a real page turner. Philbrick did a wonderful job of making his book read like a best selling thriller, while at the same time keeping the story in perspective, and showing to the reader how all pervasive it was to those who spent their live's in Nantucket. I would advise anyone about to embark upon a study of Melleville's Moby Dick to read this first so they can gain a true perspective on whaling in Nineteenth century America. The only place where Mr. Philbrick's book may have been lacking is in it's conclusion where I think more could have been said about the psychological ramifications of what happened to the crewman of the whaleship Essex. All in all though, In the Heart of the Sea is a harrowing fast paced tale that is sure to remain in the mind's of all those who read it.
Rating:
Summary: worthy of the award
Review: I read this book a couple of years ago, but scenes from the novel, masterfully painted by Nathaniel Philbrick, are still with me. Few books in my life have engaged me as this one did. It's the kind you just want to recommend to whomever you can, because you know they're going to enjoy it also. I know this all sounds like hyperbole, but Philbrick, in my opinion, is a gifted writer. He expertly describes the events taking place, and as I was reading I was also making the movie in my head. I think it would be a fantastic movie (unless hollywood ruins it of course). A MUST read.
Rating:
Summary: A real page-turner
Review: One of the few books that has really captivated me, In the Heart of the Sea is a masterful reconstruction of the events surrounding the sinking of the whaleship Essex by a peeved whale in the Pacific late in 1820. It was evidently the first--but certainly not the last--such occurence, and was apparently the inspiration for Melville's Moby Dick. Aside from dealing with the sinking and the frightful ordeal that the crew endured in the months following, the book provides the reader with much interesting information on the whaling industry and Nantucket during this era.
Rating:
Summary: A must read!
Review: I'm an English teacher and I just finished dragging my students kicking and screaming through Moby Dick during the past 5 weeks. Just as we were finishing, an old friend sent me this book as a gift (yes, from Amazon); it was a weird coincidence, because he didn't know I'd been doing Moby Dick. Anyway, he claimed it was one of the best books he'd read in quite awhile, and that once you got into it, you couldn't put it down. I was a bit skeptical at first, but he was very right. Actually, reading Moby Dick so recently probably made In the Heart of the Sea even MORE enjoyable for me, because there are all kinds of little things in there that helps one to understand some of the terminology and happenings in Melville's classic. It is a fascinating (and I mean that literally--it is truly fascinating) yet horrifying book, and I don't see how anyone could say anything negative about it. Surprised Hollywood hasn't gotten ahold of it for a screenplay... This one won't let you down.
Rating:
Summary: Can't Put Down
Review: For anyone appreciating adventure, the sea and ties to folklore, this is a tremendous read.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible
Review: I have been telling everyone I know to read this. If you like history, suspense, science, tragedy and determined characters in your books, this is the #1 book for you. I can't believe this all happened the way it did - so tragically! The writer is very talented. I would love to read more of his stuff.
Rating:
Summary: Ship Shape!
Review: I am a Nantucket native who grew up hearing bits and pieces of the story of the Essex. When I first read the book I could not put it down. It is one of the greatest true stories you will ever read. I lent it to a friend to read and never got it back. So, here I am buying my second copy...which I will NOT lend out.
Rating:
Summary: A GRIPPING AND INSPIRING HISTORY
Review: In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick tells the tragic and amazing story of the Essex, a Nantucket whaler that sank after being rammed by a mammoth sperm whale in the South Pacific in November of 1820. If the story of the whale attack and loss of the ship weren't enough, the harrowing tale of how the crew attempted to make it back to New England through the open sea in nothing more than open whaleboats, while experiencing everything from shark attacks to cannibalism, has to be one of the most gripping and inspiring tales ever recorded. Philbrick is masterful in his treatment of the story from start to finish. Drawing upon journals and writings of survivors--used in their day to inspire Herman Melville's masterpiece, Moby Dick--Philbrick offers a concise historical narrative.
Rating: 
Summary: Inside the Whalers
Review: Philbrick takes the reader on a journey like no other, and explains each wave along the way. I couldn't put it down. I had a special interest in that my great-great-grandfather was a whaling captain ("Master"), and traveled those waters with my great-grandfather as a toddler on board. My one criticism of the author's perspective is what he didn't critique - cannibalism! I know it is easy to point fingers when I was not there, starving and dying of thirst, but the author went too far in the other direction and became their justifiers, based on the accounts of two survivors who chose to eat their friends. Why was there not a serious discussion about chosing to die with dignity rather than deify life at the cost of eating and drinking your friends? Perhaps the men who died earlier did hold to this. Why was that not a significant part of this work?
Nevertheless, thank you Nate Philbrick for a book that should be made into a movie, with some of this balance.
Rating:
Summary: A SEA AND SURVIVAL STORY OF EPIC PROPORTIONS
Review: This true story takes place in the early to middle 1800's and its location on Nantucket Island and in the middle of nowhere..asea. You learn that looking for whales is a group effort and when one is found, a grueling and dangerous activity to land it. The ship Essex was sunk by a whale and that was the inspiration for writing Moby Dick. It is most interesting reading about the survival of a few and how they eventually made it back to land. A pageturner.
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