In the Heart of the Sea

The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex

By: Nathaniel Philbrick

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 10 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

National Book Award, Nonfiction, 2000

The ordeal of the whaleship Essex was an event as mythic in the nineteenth century as the sinking of the Titanic was in the twentieth. In 1819 the Essex left Nantucket for the South Pacific with 20 crew members aboard. In the middle of the South Pacific, the ship was rammed and sunk by an angry sperm whale. The crew drifted for more than 90 days in three tiny whaleboats, succumbing to weather, hunger, and disease and ultimately turning to drastic measures in the fight for survival.

Nathaniel Philbrick uses little-known documents, including a long-lost account written by the ship's cabin boy, and penetrating details about whaling and the Nantucket community to reveal the chilling events surrounding this epic maritime disaster. An intense and mesmerizing read, In the Heart of the Sea is a monumental work of history forever placing the Essex tragedy in the American historical canon.

©2000 Nathaniel Philbrick (P)2000 Penguin Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"Fascinating...One of our country's great adventure stories...when it comes to extremes, In the Heart of the Sea is right there." (The Wall Street Journal)

"A book that gets in your bones...Philbrick has created an eerie thriller from a centuries old tale....Scrupulously researched and eloquently written...it would have earned Melville's admiration." (The New York Times Book Review)

"Spellbinding." (Time)

Audio & Editing is Fine

I was hesitant after reading reviews on the editing and sound quality, but a friend said he didn't notice any. I listened to the book with both ear buds and on the car stereo and found the audio top quality.

Why didn't I know this story?!

I'll admit, I'd never have picked this up without someone repeatedly prodding me to do so...but I'm really glad I did. I mostly read/listen to sci-fi/fantasy, so I'm skeptical about anything non-fiction...if I wanted non-fiction I'd watch the flippin' news (is about how my poor attitude would respond...) - but this story is good...hard to put the feeling into words - kind of intriguing and horrifying...on many levels. Not just the...main tragedy part - but what makes someone want to do this...the normal things they do...that they don't consider tragedies...from the catching and processing of whales, to the stuff that happens on the islands (like the Galapagos)...my god...

If you already know the story of the Essex, there probably isn't a ton of new info - but still worth the listen. If you don't know the story that was part of Melville's inspiration for Moby Dick, you should probably pick this one up!

Captivating Whale of a Story

Wonderful narration. Amazing story. Highly recommended. I vote: listen to this after reading Moby Dick, since most of the action takes place after the whale attack - the place where Moby Dick ends- this book is a sort of coda to that story. High marks all around. Can't wait to see the Ron Howard movie. (Although, I'd wager he doesn't quite go into all the gory detail. Note: don't listen to parts of this audiobook while eating anything but vegan food.)

A Legendary Tail

This is my second Philbrick book and he is true to form. The book takes you from Nantucket to the open Pacific to where a bull whale defended his pod. I was rooting for the whale, and then rooting for the men to survive. It is a classic movie story with a novice captain and experience first officer fighting for the control of the ship from the beginning. If you like sea adventures then this is for you. I read Alive about a more modern disaster where cannibalism took place. Philbrick doesn't hold back on the cannibalism. That part was hard for me to stomach. But again only a small percentage of people are stuck in that situation.
Highly recommend. This book reads fast.

Good audiobook but only 5 hours not 7+

Could have done without the 2+ hours of bibliography at the end. Actual story was only about 5 hours not 7+ hours it appears to be when downloaded.

Great story! Very poor editing!

This is the very first review I have ever left on audible since becoming a member nearly 8 years ago. So let me say..... This was a great story! I always love Scott Brick as a narrator. Unfortunately, the sudden stops at what I can only assume is almost the end of a chapter were very annoying, to say the least. The last couple of words (I hope it was only the much) were always cut off and a new scene started immediately. I made it through the book despite this, but it definitely impacted my enjoyment. I hated to leave only 3 stars, but I really have no idea how much story was left out. I hope it was very little.

Amazing story

Would you consider the audio edition of In the Heart of the Sea to be better than the print version?

The audio book enhances the story.

What other book might you compare In the Heart of the Sea to and why?

Moby Dick is an obvious comparison, certainly an interesting read along side heart of the sea

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I felt very present with the characters in the book

Any additional comments?

I love this book, it's an amazing story about an interesting time in world history.

easy listen

I enjoyed listening to this book and found it an easy listen. I finished it in two days.

One of the best true stories not many are aware of

What made the experience of listening to In the Heart of the Sea the most enjoyable?

It made me feel like i was actually there.

What did you like best about this story?

the descriptions of life on a whaler in the 1800s..the island

Which character – as performed by Scott Brick – was your favorite?

owen chase

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

a fight for survival thousands of miles from land in the 1800s

Any additional comments?

This absoutely should be made into a film...a great story that more people should be made aware of. Excellent writing and fact gathering by NP and dead on narration by brick. i wish it had gone on longer....a

...and the fish vomited Jonah upon the dry land

The true story of the shipwreck of the Whaling Ship Essex. It is sadly everything we have come to think about, when we think about sailors who starve and thirst as they clinging to a life raft at sea.

Lost in the Ocean for 90 days, the few survivors paint a grisly picture of the lengths they were willing to go to, to stay alive. The style of writing is more "journalistic" than other notable survival stories, and the reference to quotes and historical references, can at times seem cold and objective.

Included in this history of the shipwreck, is: a background of Nantucket, Mass.; background of the whaling industry; complete character profiles of all involved- before and after; and how the shipwreck affected all involved.

I would have preferred just the survival story as written from start to finish, but it was interesting, if not compelling.