The Perfect Storm

A True Story of Men Against the Sea

By: Sebastian Junger

Narrated by: Richard Davidson

Length: 9 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

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

Glad I listened to this!

Factual account, so some descriptions are dry, but the story shines through and is well done.

Just read it!

I love how the author was merely stating facts.
So interesting.
I loved the book more than the movie & I loved the movie.
The narrator kept it very dignified.

Fantastic Sebastian Junger Classic

Fantastic Sebastian Junger Classic. Well narrated. Absolutely thrilling and delivers an intimate look into the lives of the people and professions described.

Literary Classic

Loved the movie as a kid and the book lived up to every expectation and then some! Fantastic read

Good listen

As a fan of all things human history related, I enjoyed the movie but not as much as this! This was much more detailed than I had expected which I was more drawn in by than the frills and overdramatic bs Hollywood spits out when they take these stories on. The facts were even more dramatic than the visual spin which is mind blowing! Definitely worth the time!

Engaging

My wife kept telling me that I should read this book. Finally, I did, and I am so happy that I did read it. The book was very factual. It also presented a very personal side of those who fish and their interactions with others in their lives.

More than I expected

I thought I would be reading a book that the movie was based on. I got so much more. I an education of the fishing industry, and what those men and their wives go through. I highly recommend this book.

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."