The Perfect Storm

A True Story of Men Against the Sea

De: Sebastian Junger

Narrado por: Richard Davidson

Man’s struggle against the sea is a theme that has created some of the world’s most exciting stories. Now, in the tradition of Moby Dick comes a New York Times best seller destined to become a modern classic. Written by journalist Sebastian Junger, The Perfect Storm combines an intimate portrait of a small fishing crew with fascinating scientific data about boats and weather systems. In late October, North Atlantic seas are unpredictable. Still, one last good swordfish catch is a chance to start the winter with a fat wallet. As Captain Billy Tyne steers his 72-foot longboat Andrea Gail toward the Grand Banks, growing weather fronts are moving toward the same waters. The Andrea Gail is sailing into the storm of the century, one with 100 mile per hour winds and waves cresting over 110 feet. As each man on the boat faces this ultimate foe, Sebastian Junger gives the account an immediacy that fills The Perfect Storm with suspense and authenticity. Narrator Richard M. Davidson’s reading adds further drama to this unforgettable sea adventure. An interview with the author concludes the audiobook.

©1997 Sebastian Junger (P)1998 Recorded Books

Puts The Movie In The Shade Without A Doubt!

I will never look at the fish on my plate in the same way again. Of course I am sure that that logically we are fully aware of how our fish gets from the ocean to our kitchens however personally I live in my own 'La la land' as my personal fisherman is the yellow PVC clad Gorton's fisherman.

I really wish that I had read the book before seeing the movie as no matter how much I tried the movie kept on 'popping up' into my head. However I did try and listen to it with more of a 'blank canvas attitude'.

What a superb read. Not only a story of brave men, the people who love them and their sad fate but interspersed with so much information as to how these types of natural disasters occur.

Sebastian Junger gives a description of the drowning process so poignant yet quite clinical. Answers many questions.

Richard Davidson gives a superb performance that keeps you invested from the first word to the very last.

There is a bonus interview at the end with the author Sebastian Junger. Really interesting stuff.

More than just a recitation of incredible true stories

Junger does an excellent job telling the story of a number of key events that occurred during the “no name storm” of 1991. His narrative is detailed and based on interviews with many of the protagonists as well as independent research. What makes this book particularly great is the way Junger weaves in scientific explanations of the weather and other factors that influence the events occurring in the story as well as detailed descriptions of the vessels and aircraft involved in each story.

Wrong pronunciation

It's pronounced "portugee" with a hard G as in "golf," NOT a soft G as in "genius."

Unforgiving

This story of an unforgiving mother nature was intense. Learn about the history and present of commercial fisherman and emergency rescuers whose every day life is more extreme than any day of my life is likely to be. The human stories and histories make The Perfect Storm worth reading. More pressing to me though was the humbling might of nature with its profound indifference. With power to render all of our technologies obsolete with the right set of circumstances.

Fantastic Listen

The narration was done very well and the story captures your imagination until it's over.

The Perfect Storm

This was really fascinating, very sad, but also eye-opening about the dangers of the ocean and fishing. I love the movie, and I really enjoyed the book. The book definitely gave you more information about storms and boats and fishing culture which just expanded the story of the Andrea Gale.

A Perfect Listen...I Was Hooked!!

I had seen the movie and loved it! This audio book captures the soul of the fishing industry, the men behind the perilous work and the separation of these men from their families sometimes for months at a time!! The information contained in this book will give you a new found respect for these men and their perilous journey on the sea. The book was written at a wonderful pace, telling the story of not only the Andrea Gale and her men but of the instruments of today and of a century ago, the unforgiving nature of the sea, the history of fishing regulations and the geography of this treacherous area known as Grand Banks, the tip and the tail...just as fascinating as the swordfish themselves.

Unexpectedly enthralling

What did you love best about The Perfect Storm?

great personel storys about the extreme ruff and gruff high roller but broke fisherman lifestyle. This is mixed with enlightening information about how waves, storms, ship physics and economics work.

Deeply Informative

I read this book the first time shortly after it was published and thoroughly enjoyed it. A couple of decades later it was just as good. On the surface, this is a strange idea. It’s an attempt to describe a horrifically powerful storm that struck the Atlantic off the northeast coast and sank a fishing boat, killing its crew. In reality it’s a window into the highly dangerous world of deep-sea fishing with in-depth analysis of the dangers the men and women in the trade encounter. Along the way it throws in a history of the industry, descriptions of the lives of the fishers, and a lot of information on storms and the coast guard rescue operations. This is a very interesting book.

Superb Account of the Perfect Storm

If you have seen the wonderful film based on this book, be prepared for an equally exciting, thrilling and ultimately heartbreaking tale of men who fish for a living and the many hazards they face. It also tells of the bravery of the pararescue jumpers who save lives along side the brave crews of the Coast Guard and Air National Guard. I read this book using immersion reading while listening to the audiobook version and had a difficult time putting it down. It is simply an excellent true story, superbly told. A must read book for the level of research and detail, as well as the human element. Did you know there were two different sailors who were supposed to join the crew of the Andrea Gail? Both had eerie premonitions and walked away. Read or listen to find out more.