Rating: 
Summary: Well researched, but not what I expected.
Review: First off, due praise must be given to the author. This book is extensively and painstakingly researched. That is readily apparent throughout the book. The author has scoured old newspapers and photographs, and conducted his own interviews with witnesses and family of witnesses/victims.The fist hundred pages or so is a wonderfully written, detailed description of the events of those twelve days in 1916. The author's attention to detail and extensive research give a robust picture of not only the victims' last days and the events of the attacks, but also a very interesting description of what the New Jersey shore was like in the day. My only complaint with the book is that I expected it all to be that way. Unfortunately, the next two hundred pages delivery a scientific analysis of different shark species, their attack styles, an analysis of the wounds, a comparison/contrast with other shark attacks around the world, etc. for the purpose of determining what species of shark(s) most likely attacked the victims, and why the attacks occurred at all. Again, all this was extensively researched, but not what I expected. Perhaps the fault, then, is my own. Nonetheless, the prospective reader should be aware of what this book is about.
Rating: 
Summary: simply incredible
Review: For the first time, I have seen in print an exhaustive narritive of the most perplexing mystery of the twentieth century. It is unfathomable to imagine how the pieces to this complex puzzle could have been put together so masterfully. The witness interviews were the most riveting aspect of the book and I dare say they made me feel like I was part of the drama. The book was a cross between Titanic and Perfect storm, but the difference was, every word is apparently true and authentic. I'm getting a stack of the books for Father's Day !
Rating:
Summary: DEFINITIVE CASE STUDY
Review: Having recently finished "Close to Shore" - another book about the 1916 New Jersey shark attacks -I was keen to read Richard Fernicola's "Twelve Days of Terror". The respective writing styles are quite different with the former book adopting more of a novelistic approach while the latter offers a detailed scientific analysis of the attacks . For those who are new to the subject the first book will provide an excellent introduction to this extraordinary historical event. If you really want to get all the facts, however, you need to read Dr Fernicola's definitive case study but you should understand that there is alot of very detailed information which could prove to be a bit "Heavy Going" unless you are a serious student of shark research.
Rating: 
Summary: A thorough account of the New Jersey shark attacks
Review: I bought this book along with Close to Shore (another book on this same topic). 12 Days of Terror is an interesting and thorough description of the shark attacks that held NJ and the country hostage in the summer of 1916. Each victim is described both as far as their life before and after the attacks. Dr. Fernicola has done extensive research on these attacks and the descriptions and pictures are chilling. This book is a more scientific description with more clinical data than Close to Shore (which is written more like a novel). Having read both books...I liked them both. That may be because I'm from New Jersey and had heard the story of the "New Jersey Shark" from childhood. The point is made both in the book and in the movie "Jaws" that "Jaws" the story, was taken from the New Jersey shark attack story. I'll never again pass mile marker 119 on the Garden State Parkway without looking toward the Matawan Creek and remembering how far from the ocean those last attacks took place. The subject is facinating!
Rating:
Summary: MORE HORRIFYING THAN "JAWS" BECAUSE IT REALLY HAPPENED
Review: I found this book to be fascinating! As a "shark enthusiast", I am always interested in books about them. This book about the 1916 shark attacks in New Jersey is the best I've read on the subject. It provides the reader with great details of the events and the photographs take you farther into the lives of the unfortunate victims because it puts faces to names. I never go far into the ocean anyway, but after reading this book I'm afraid to go into a swimming pool!
Rating:
Summary: pulse pounding prose
Review: I just couldn't put Twelve Days of Terror down. Now I'm reading it again. It seems as if there's enough excitement and information in the book that it's almost obligatory for a second and third read, like a damn good movie. Experience the dramatic splendor with me and my friends....
Rating:
Summary: fantabulous/tremengous
Review: I read the dime a dozen accounts of the 1916 shark story then, after a minute of reading Twelve Days of Terror, I knew I had found the one author on the planet that could have given us everything that we wanted: A book that is almost a divinely inspired thorough dramatic investigation of the perplexing events. Personal interviews, gritty detective work, and historic time travel flare bring this work of brilliance to our door step. Anyone can re-write about the Hindenburg, the Titanic, and the 1916 events, but no person other than Dr. Handsome Fernicola could have done what is in Twelve Days of Terror(or In Search of the Jersey Man-eater for that matter). My only question is, why has Dr. Fernicola not "spoken up" about the duplication of his previous work which goes uncredited in Close to Shore ???
Rating:
Summary: This is a must read
Review: I saw the Animal Planet movie based on the book then I saw the thing they did about this on Discovery Channel so I was compelled enough to buy the book the movie was based on. Dr. Fernicola took the book to heights that Benchley did when he wrote JAWS. But there is a difference between this and JAWS, Benchley's book is a work of fiction -- this is real. I am still reading this book but I can tell right now after reading the first chapter this is going to be a strong book. I am telling people to give this a read on a few communities online and one that I will say right now it is in my collection.
Rating:
Summary: Wow, no comparisons !!
Review: I saw the Animal Planet movied based on Dr. Fernicola's book Twelve Days of Terror and then ran out to buy the book. The movie was good but the book blew me away. The insights about German U-Boats and other events of the times are astounding. Thank God that these horrific attacks inspired a new look at the World War I/Gilded Age period. I bet it's no coincidence that Fernicola is an accomplished shipwreck diver as I see parallels between his German U-Boat findings and the work of John Chatterton who essentially embarrassed prior "researchers" who said the German U-Boat he found off NJ didn't really "exist." Chatterton's find is now the basis of a NOVA special and a new book. If probing researchers halt their efforts because of naysayers, we all lose. The fresh perspective uncovered by Fernicola should be a lesson to all would-be historians.
Rating:
Summary: Highly rated by shark experts
Review: I think that a book should actually be written about this amazingly researched book. The facts, the presentation, the authentic sources etc. just make this book stand above so many other historical appraoches which attempt to capture unique natural disasters. You have to read it to believe it.
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