In The Heart Of The Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship
Essex
Nathaniel Philbrick
A true account of the history of whaling and the real-life story
that inspired Moby Dick. Based around the strongly Protestant
area of Nantucket in USA. There is casual and wanton destruction,
wiping out loads of wildlife just for a prank. The book describes
what a perilous lifestyle the whalers endured but also how whales
were regarded as a never-ending resource. Ghastly descriptions of
what happens to the body when you starve, but recommended.
Gill 23/09/01
This is a true story of the sailors on the whaler Essex, which
was sunk by a sperm whale off Chile in the early 1800s. The story
was the inspiration for Moby Dick. Very few of the sailors
survived their journey home to Nantucket. The writing is
matter-of-fact but seems dated, except in the epilogue. This
interesting tale includes eating Galapagos tortoises and
cannibalism.
Andrew 3/8/03
The frames have
gone all funny - click to make it good.