Rating: 
Summary: Good story
Review: QUICK REVIEW
Nantucket, whaling, and survival at sea. This is what comprises this book, and you read them in that order. Some history of Nantucket and whaling can be slow ' but interesting, but the story of survival is incredible, and on it's own makes the book worth reading.FULL REVIEW
The amazing story of survival at sea is what brings readers to this book but it takes a little while to get to that story. The author sets up the picture of Nantucket at that time, and gives us a lot of information that actually is interesting but keeps us from getting to the story. You get the feeling that the author has done a lot of research (which he has) and wants to tell us everything he has learned. There's nothing wrong with this, but it may be more than readers want to know. The story of the whale hitting and sinking the ship and the beginning of their long journey doesn't come until chapter five. Before then we get Nantucket history, the preparation and sailing of their ship and it's experiences with storms and whales and a few islands. Some of this is very intriguing but once we get to chapter five the reader's attention is grabbed and is not let go until near the end of the book. The crew faces extreme dehydration and starvation to the point of death and the reader gets caught up in the desperate struggle for survival of these men. They are faced with, and make, very tough decisions which ultimately involves living and dying. You will be amazed at what the human body can endure and at the strength and determination of the spirit of those men. After this incredible story comes to a close the author tells us what went on after it was all over and the effect this story had. He then gives us more information on related elements which end up veering off into other stories. Readers may find it all very interesting or may see it as a prolonged ending. Over all this is a good, well-researched book that is worth reading.
Rating: 
Summary: Could not put it down!
Review: What an extraordinary story! I did not know that the whaleship ESSEX was the basis for "Moby Dick"--it is a tremendous story of human hardship and endurance; no wonder Melville was fascinated (as I was). Philbrick brings his knowledge of Nantucket right to the surface. He does not skimp on the realities of whaling; there is a particularly harrowing section on the inevitable starvation and cannabilism and its crew members. Philbrick's writing makes the men sympathetic and come alive for a modern audience unfamiliar with this story. I know that should I ever visit Nantucket, the local whaling museum is the first place I will see.
Rating:
Summary: I used to not care about whales...until I read this book
Review: I can honestly say that I am now obsessed with whales. I knew nothing about the whaleship Essex before reading this book. I didn't even really want to read it in the first place, but I was looking for something to read and this was on my father's bookshelf. It is a captivating story. An amazing example of courage and endurance, that is brought to life by the extensive research Philbrick has spent his time accumulating. I loved the way he intertwined old letters, facts, and historical documents with the storyline to tell the true story of the sinking of this famous ship as it was never told before. A VERY interesting story and a great read!
Rating:
Summary: Best book I've read in the last 5 years
Review: This is a great peice of work. Nathaniel Philbrick uses a wonderful, empathetic style when telling this tragic story. If you like history, adventure, and sailing you may want to read this one twice.
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating Tale
Review: This is not a book I thought I'd like, but I did. Great job by the author to convey an understanding of the time and the setting. Chilling realities become apparent as survival looms in the balance. Well worth reading.
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Summary: In The Heart of the Family
Review: Philbrick's award winning non-fiction retelling of the Essex tragedy captured my attention as a tale of family tragedy. As a father of teenage sons, I kept trying to imagine the lives of those families torn apart by the whaling industry and the misfortunes of the "family" of men on this whaling journey. Though Philbrick paints an oversimplified picture of the Quaker village life of Nantucket, once at sea, this book is hard to throw overboard. For two other non-fiction books on the family, take a look at THE FAMILY CLOISTER: BENEDICTINE WISDOM FOR THE HOME (winner of the national Catholic Press Association "Family Life" Book Award 2000), by David Robinson; and also by Robinson, THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY TOOLBOX: 52 BENEDICTINE ACTIVITIES FOR THE HOME (Crossroad, September 2001).
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Summary: If History is an Ocean...
Review: As in Junger's "The Perfect Storm" and Shackleton's "Endurance," I knew the ending of this story before reading the first page. I wondered, Should I should spend time learning the details of the disaster or go on to another book? Twenty pages into the story, Philbrick's easy, yet authoritative narrative convinced me to continue. Well-researched and never ponderous, "In the Heart of the Sea" tells the tale of the whaleship Essex and the crew's struggle for survival after a sperm whale rams and sinks their vessel. The build up to the sinking is fascinating. With early nineteenth century details of life in Nantucket and the motivations of individual sailors, Philbrick caused me to care that much deeper as the crew set off over open ocean in hopes of survival. The sheer immensity of the Pacific looms over the account; the crew's joint effort to prevail is incredible under the circumstances. Although the dilemma of cannibalization waits till the last quarter of the book to rear its head, the emotions and lead up to that fateful--and lifesaving (for some)--decision are done with masterful care. Philbrick justifies the crew's actions with the history of seafaring survivors. The details are horrific, but the humanity of these men manages to shine through, in part, through Philbrick's attention to the survivors' following years and destinies. With a wealth of information in the notes at the back of the book, "In the Heart of the Sea" stands as a modern masterpiece, reminding us of the anguish that has helped shaped our nation, while also warning us of the dangers of abusing our natural resources. If history is an ocean, Philbrick takes us to the heart of it.
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Summary: Thar She Blows!
Review: After having visited Nantucket many times for summer vacation, this book lends a great view of the historical island in it's real pretext. Although this is one of the most incredible adventure stories I have read, it is gruesome and tragic. The tragedy of the whaling ship Essex, makes Earnest Shakeltons antartic expedition look like a holiday in Bermuda. This book is not for the faint of heart, but it is none the less a miraculous account of human endurance, survival, and courage of the human spirit. It is astounding the adversity that we, as humans, are capable of overcoming. This book also gives quite a bit of insight into the gory world of 19th century whaling. I won't go into detail.
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't Put It Down
Review: If you are looking for a fast read that is not "fluff," but intellectual and well-written, then pick up a copy of In the Heart of the Sea. I bought the book based upon its topic and the fact that it had won the Book Award, not based upon any interest in the history of whaling or Nantucket. But I left the book feeling that I had ventured into a little part of the past that I would still care to know more about. It's also a great book to read along with Shackelton's story in the book entitlted South. The two books showcase vastly differing outcomes that resulted from decisions made in the face of tragedy at sea.
Rating: 
Summary: Moderately Hype-Worthy
Review: Much has been written (and now shown on national TV) about Philbrick's "In the Heart of the Sea". This short (less than 300 page) historical account of the whaleship Essex will quickly send those who are fans of the genre back to the Andes Mountains of the early 1970s in "Alive" and the New England coastline where the hearty seamen from "The Perfect Storm" met their fate. What separates Philbrick's writing (and ultimately makes the book interesting) is the often graphic and well-researched accounting of 1820s Nantucket and the brutal lives of the whalers who made a living by going off to sea for nearly 2 years at a time. I cannot rate the book higher only because while the storyline is compelling, I did not find the story of such a unique character as to separate it from other books that deal with brutal human hardships.
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