Close to Shore

The Terrifying Shark Attacks of 1916

De: Michael Capuzzo

Narrado por: Len Cariou

Combining rich historical detail and a harrowing, pulse-pounding narrative, Close to Shore brilliantly re-creates the summer of 1916, when a rogue Great White shark attacked swimmers along the New Jersey shore, triggering mass hysteria and launching the most extensive shark hunt in history.

In July 1916 a lone Great White left its usual deep-ocean habitat and headed in the direction of the New Jersey shoreline. There, near the towns of Beach Haven and Spring Lake--and, incredibly, a farming community eleven miles inland--the most ferocious and unpredictable of predators began a deadly rampage: the first shark attacks on swimmers in U.S. history.

Capuzzo interweaves a vivid portrait of the era and meticulously drawn characters with chilling accounts of the shark's five attacks and the frenzied hunt that ensued. From the unnerving inevitability of the first attack on the esteemed son of a prosperous Philadelphia physician to the spine-tingling moment when a farm boy swimming in Matawan Creek feels the sandpaper-like skin of the passing shark, Close to Shore is an undeniably gripping saga.

Heightening the drama are stories of the resulting panic in the citizenry, press and politicians, and of colorful personalities such as Herman Oelrichs, a flamboyant millionaire who made a bet that a shark was no match for a man (and set out to prove it); Museum of Natural History ichthyologist John Treadwell Nichols, faced with the challenge of stopping a mythic sea creature about which little was known; and, most memorable, the rogue Great White itself moving through a world that couldn't conceive of either its destructive power or its moral right to destroy.

Scrupulously researched and superbly written, Close to Shore brings to life a breathtaking, pivotal moment in American history. Masterfully written and suffused with fascinating period detail and insights into the science and behavior of sharks, Close to Shore recounts a breathtaking, pivotal moment in American history with startling immediacy.©2001 Michael Capuzzo; (P)2001 Random House, Inc., Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio Publishing, A Divison of Random House, Inc.

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Extraordinary...Capuzzo captures a time of innocence, and its greatest nightmare.”
— John Sandford, author of Chosen Prey
“A major achievement, building on the sandy shore a formidable piece of American history. The writing is controlled and vivid and the research magnificent. Remarkable, among other things, is the author’s ability to almost get into the ‘mind’ of the shark as it moved through the sea and sought to maneuver itself to its best advantage in order to survive. Close to Shore is a splendid book.”
— Gay Talese
“Capuzzo’s account of the 1916 shark attacks on the Jersey shore recaptures the intense drama of the real events with a lyrical intensity rare in nonfiction writing. Along with its riveting doses of sheer terror, it recreates an era. You feel the past. Meticulously researched, beautifully written. This is strong stuff.”
-–Mark Bowden, author of Black Hawk Down
“Close to Shore is a truly remarkable book. Michael Capuzzo has combined a beautifully written social history with the kind of thriller that defies being put down until the last page. But this monster story is dreadfully true. And in Capuzzo’s capable hands it becomes an elegiac story that tugs at the heart at the same time it makes it beat all the faster. Books like this one just don’t come along very often.”
— Michael Connelly, author of A Darkness More Than Night
“Several decades ago, a little summer thriller named Jaws changed swimming habits forever. Now along comes Michael Capuzzo with his own take on the great white shark, a story made all the more incredible because it happened. Close to Shore is a wonderful period piece of America on the cusp of the Roaring Twenties. But at the book’s heart is that most mysterious of all sea creatures–the great white–lurking, thinking, calculating, and then acting with its fifty triangular teeth and six tons of per square inch pressure. Read Capuzzo’s account of what happened that summer on the Jersey Shore, and then, I dare you, go back in the water.”
— Buzz Bissinger, author of Friday Night Lights

Historical and entertaining

I’ve grown up hearing this story, but the details included are amazing! Learned so much more while reading this book.

Incredible historical presentation.

This was an awesome book. I love history and this one was written very well and very descriptive. The narrator was excellent.

Loved the Victorian Era history

Great storytelling of a terrifying time, but what captured my attention was the historical aspect of the story. Capuzzo captures the class distinctions and recreates the anxiety a lack of science at the time adds to the suspense. Loved the way he unravels the mystery and fear.

A great read

This story was done very well, very factual but kept you very interested from start to finish. By including historical data along with info on shark developement it was enjoyable. Of course the narrator Len Cariou just increased the story line, with his clear concise voice and inflections.

chilling account of true life monster

methodically recalled in gory details the monster who terrorized and preyed upon swimmers on the Jersey Coast and streams in the early 1900s.

Very well done

Not Fantastic but very solid, story, narration everything, I’ve seen Jaws, watch shark week, but knew little of the NJ attacks of 1916, I recommend to any Jaws fan

Overall: Worth it

I suppose if I had to fill a book with a story based on five shark attacks, I would be forced to include too much irrelevant background information too. I got this book for the same reason I think most people would. I want to hear about the shark. I thought there was just too much detail about the people, families and businesses of the era, and not enough about the shark and its horrific attacks on swimmers. What there was about the shark did meet my expectations, and the story kept moving, holding my interest all the way through.

Definitely not a spellbinding, on-the-edge-of-your-seat story, but well worth the listen. More so if you are curious about a sort of folk tale that Jaws was based on, but not if you are expecting any sort of scientific account of what went on.

The audio quality was great. The narration was well done, and the sound was clean.

Excellent!

A thoroughly detailed and well articulated examination of the shark attacks that came upon this unassuming town.Being a lifelong Shark-enthusiast, I personally enjoy this one many times as I drift off to sleep!😴

Captivating and Riveting

Subject Matter: A compelling story rich in detail and historical perspective. The retelling builds slowly as the author first details the socio-economic background of the period. The accounts of the attacks are dramatic with a "you are there" feel. Although this is a documented historical event, there is most certainly some literary embellishment, as the author was obviously not a witness. A captivating story written and read well, none the less. The terror of the events is amplified by the intimate examination of the personalities involved, both the victims and the pursuers. Once the shark enters the creek you will be hard pressed to turn your player off!

Narrator: Len Cariou - Excellent; the perfect commanding voice for a story such as this.

Audio Quality: Reviewed-Format 4 Excellent, distortion-free with consistent sound levels

great story! Wonderful wonderful portrayal

thoroughly enjoyed this story. Well worth the time to listen to it. Well narrated and written.