In the heart of the Sea: the Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex by Nathaniel Philbrick is the historical narrative nonfiction tail (pun intended) that was the inspiration of Herman Melville's Moby Dick. Beginning at an urgent pace, the book parallels the rapid outfitting and departure of the Essex on what was expected to be two year journey. Philbrick's characterization of captain George Pollard and first mate Owen Chase and their leadership abilities is thorough. The tone is dark then gets darker. Disaster strikes when a sperm whale rams the ship causing it to sink. Then the pace slows down and the story gets darker still as the crew is pushed to the limits of what they are willing to do to survive.
Philbrick's attention to detail is meticulous and readers benefit from maps and illustrations, which lend perspective to the vast scope of the setting (the whole Pacific Ocean!). Readers looking for a gripping true story will enjoy this. The author's thorough research shines through and readers will find details of the nineteenth century whaling industry, habits of Sperm whales, and how humans have fared in comparable survival situations presented in an easy to read manner.
The Road by Cormac McCarthy is a post-apocalyptic fiction novel about a man and his son who appear to be the only good things left in the world. The pace of most of the novel is meandering, as if through a barren wasteland the world has become. This is punctuated by terrifying encounters with other humans who are more animal than human. These encounters demonstrate the character of the father who McCarthy makes it clear is willing to do ANYTHING at all to prevent his son from suffering at the hands of others.
This book is a case where the setting is the "third character". McCarthy paints a picture of a desolate world where it seems like nothing is alive. His descriptions add to the dark and desperate tone of the book. His language is masterful. He is able to do things with the English language that give the reader pause and affect them emotionally. For his writing abilities alone, The Road is a must read.
The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara is a fast paced, historical fiction account of the four days of the battle of Gettysburg. Shaara uses the perspective of several pivotal characters involved in the battle to show the reader different points of view. The storyline simplifies the intricacies of thousands of men bearing down to kill one another in a manner that is easy to follow. The men are relatable in their dealing with actions and reactions and Shaara's language is compelling enough to convey the urgency they feel as lives hang in the balance.
This book setting and details are hugely important to understand but it is written for the public not academics. Maps are included, which are useful when describing the maneuvers of men on the field. Shaara's tone conveys the urgency felt by these men and compels the reader to keep reading. For the armchair historian, this book is a great entre into the battle of Gettysburg. Its position as the second book of a trilogy will make you want the other two. Follow that up with Shelby Foote's 3,000 page The Civil War: A Narrative for all the facts once you are hooked!
Philbrick's attention to detail is meticulous and readers benefit from maps and illustrations, which lend perspective to the vast scope of the setting (the whole Pacific Ocean!). Readers looking for a gripping true story will enjoy this. The author's thorough research shines through and readers will find details of the nineteenth century whaling industry, habits of Sperm whales, and how humans have fared in comparable survival situations presented in an easy to read manner.
The Road by Cormac McCarthy is a post-apocalyptic fiction novel about a man and his son who appear to be the only good things left in the world. The pace of most of the novel is meandering, as if through a barren wasteland the world has become. This is punctuated by terrifying encounters with other humans who are more animal than human. These encounters demonstrate the character of the father who McCarthy makes it clear is willing to do ANYTHING at all to prevent his son from suffering at the hands of others.
This book is a case where the setting is the "third character". McCarthy paints a picture of a desolate world where it seems like nothing is alive. His descriptions add to the dark and desperate tone of the book. His language is masterful. He is able to do things with the English language that give the reader pause and affect them emotionally. For his writing abilities alone, The Road is a must read.
The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara is a fast paced, historical fiction account of the four days of the battle of Gettysburg. Shaara uses the perspective of several pivotal characters involved in the battle to show the reader different points of view. The storyline simplifies the intricacies of thousands of men bearing down to kill one another in a manner that is easy to follow. The men are relatable in their dealing with actions and reactions and Shaara's language is compelling enough to convey the urgency they feel as lives hang in the balance.
This book setting and details are hugely important to understand but it is written for the public not academics. Maps are included, which are useful when describing the maneuvers of men on the field. Shaara's tone conveys the urgency felt by these men and compels the reader to keep reading. For the armchair historian, this book is a great entre into the battle of Gettysburg. Its position as the second book of a trilogy will make you want the other two. Follow that up with Shelby Foote's 3,000 page The Civil War: A Narrative for all the facts once you are hooked!
Very interesting reads! Although I have not read In the Heart of the Sea, its plot and pacing remind me of The Perfect Storm. Could these be read-alikes? I also noticed that you reviewed a Civil War book, too! The book I chose was Gone With the Wind, which was vastly different, but isn't it interesting how two books on the same topic can have two totally different styles and readerships? :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! In the Heart of the Sea is great if you are at all a history nerd, which I am. I think there are certainly connections to be drawn between our Civil War books. You could consider one as the front lines perspective and the other as the home front perspective.
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