In the Heart of the Sea: Young Reader's Edition

The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex

By: Nathaniel Philbrick

Narrated by: Taylor Mali

Length: 5 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

In the Heart of the Sea brings to new life the incredible story of the wreck of the whaleship Essex - the inspiration for the climax of Moby-Dick. In a harrowing pause resister, Nathaniel Philbrick restores this epic story to its rightful place in American history.

In 1819, the 240-ton Essex set sail from Nantucket on a routine voyage. Fifteen months later, in the farthest reaches of the South Pacific, it was repeatedly rammed and sunk by an 80-ton bull sperm whale. Its 20-man crew, fearing cannibals on the islands to the west, made for the 3,000-mile-distant coast of South America in three tiny boats. During 90 days at sea under horrendous conditions, the survivors clung to life as, one by one, they succumbed to hunger, thirst, disease, and fear.

In the Heart of the Sea tells perhaps the greatest sea story ever. Philbrick interweaves his account of this extraordinary ordeal of ordinary men with a wealth of whale lore and with a brilliantly detailed portrait of the lost, unique community of Nantucket whalers. Impeccably researched and beautifully told, the audiobook delivers the ultimate portrait of man against nature. At once a literary companion and a pause resister that speaks to the same issues of class, race, and man's relationship to nature that permeate the works of Melville, In the Heart of the Sea will endure as a vital work of American history.

©2015 Nathaniel Philbrick (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Negroes become "African Americans"

In this ridiculously sanitized and dumbed down version negroes are called "African Americans," which is absurd. Many of the negroes on the Essex were not even American, so it's not only a feeble attempt to sanitize history and use PC terminology, but it's inacurrate. I guess this is what the publisher desires for "young readers," i.e. intolerant, ignorant, shallow narcissists on Facebook, Twitter, and Tik Tok.

A Remarkable Tale of Nautical Heroism and Seamanship

As an offshore boat captain and a property owner on the island of Nantucket ,This tale of the sea is remarkable and it’s honesty and accuracy. It truly captures the incredible bravery it took to get on a boat and spend years, not just months or weeks to eek out a living on the other side of the world.
Those familiar with the island will recognize the venerable surnames associated with this true story. And overworked phrase in the review of books: “I couldn’t put it down“, truly applies to this no holds barred epic tale.

Not just for young readers!

I’m not sure why this is listed as for young readers (I’m 56 yrs old) and loved it! Fascinating and informative, it will entertain any age!

Tragic story, simply told

The first bit of the story was a little dry, but it was interesting to learn the basics of whaling and about the men who sailed in the doomed Essex. After the unexpected (to them) whale attack, the story of the men's struggle to survive surpasses the imagination. It's nearly impossible to imagine oneself in their place, and living on the open sea for 90 days with only a bit of hard tack and each other is unimaginable.

Hard to Digest!

No pun intended!

Why didn’t they try to catch fish?
Aren’t they sailors, after all?

Incredible Drama and Tragedy at Sea

This was very well written and narrated. Such a sad, tragic story overall, but it kept me on the edge of my seat. I appreciated learning about this part of maritime history. Definitely a good listen. Thank you.

Classic?

I was able to tolerate this but it didn't engage me. Listen if you need to read it for a class assignment. skip otherwise

Excellent!

What a story! If you sail or just enjoy the water, you’ll enjoy this. Well read too.

This is the real classic.

Moby Dick might be hailed as a classic although Melville’s language gets in the way of its reading. The Heart of the sea is the real classic, told in a language that is not ambiguous or florid. This book is a riveting read; I could not put it down.

very well done!

a great, true story that is educational and entertaining. Captivated me from the very first.