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Publication
Scholastic Inc. (2003), Edition: First Scholastic Printing, 164 pages
Description
Recounts the 1820 sinking of the whaleship "Essex" by an enraged sperm whale and how the crew of young men survived against impossible odds. Based on the author's adult book "In the Heart of the Sea."
Local notes
2111-112
User reviews
LibraryThing member abbylibrarian
The whaleship Essex was destroyed by a sperm whale in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. This book chronicles the survivors through their months of torturous thirst and wondering whether or not they will survive. The book starts out with a little bit about the whaling industry and the procedures that
I don't know if I would have made it all the way through reading it, but the audio was excellent.
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sailors went through to ready their ships for the sea. The first disc was a little boring, but once the whale destroys the ship, it gets very interesting. Three small whaling boats and 20 sailors were all that was left after the whale attacked. They had to figure out how to survive on very little food and even less water. A true survival adventure, I think the real triumph of this book is how it makes the characters come alive. I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to tell them apart, but each of the main sailors has a distinct personality and you really come to care about them. I don't know if I would have made it all the way through reading it, but the audio was excellent.
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LibraryThing member Bridgey
What can I say? I started Revenge of the Whale with a little trepidation as these kind of novels usually boggle my brain with umpteen nautical terms and descriptions. Philbrick however, has not fallen into this trap. Where sea faring objects are described very often they are accompanied with a
The book follows the crew of the Whaleship Essex and how they are attacked by a sperm whale which leads to them escaping in 3 small whaleboats. The lead up to the attack and the actual event only take up the first 3rd of the book, the rest details their constant struggle against the savage sea. Thirst and hunger drive the men to extraordinary lengths including cannibalism. In fact out of the 21 strong crew only 8 survived the journey.
An amazing true story, extremely well written and informative. Easily recommendable to anyone that loves adventure or interested in the History of Nantucket whaling. Interestingly the Essex adventure was the original inspiration for Moby Dick.
My only complaint would be that the novel appears to be a stripped down version of another book called In the Heart of the Sea. If I had known this before purchase I think I would have bought that instead. However, I will certainly seek it out in the future.
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diagram that clearly displays their place on the vessel, this accompanied by a number of photographs and easy to read maps allows the reader to really feel a part of the crew.The book follows the crew of the Whaleship Essex and how they are attacked by a sperm whale which leads to them escaping in 3 small whaleboats. The lead up to the attack and the actual event only take up the first 3rd of the book, the rest details their constant struggle against the savage sea. Thirst and hunger drive the men to extraordinary lengths including cannibalism. In fact out of the 21 strong crew only 8 survived the journey.
An amazing true story, extremely well written and informative. Easily recommendable to anyone that loves adventure or interested in the History of Nantucket whaling. Interestingly the Essex adventure was the original inspiration for Moby Dick.
My only complaint would be that the novel appears to be a stripped down version of another book called In the Heart of the Sea. If I had known this before purchase I think I would have bought that instead. However, I will certainly seek it out in the future.
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LibraryThing member mamzel
This book is a junior version of the bestseller, In the Heart of the Sea, also by Philbrick. It is intended for a YA audience. But it is in no way any less dramatic that the original. It tells the story of the whaleship, Essex, which was attacked (yes, attacked) by a sperm whale. The crew of 21 men
Details were taken from accounts written at the time in Nantucket newspapers and the survivors own recorded words. The reader is given an overview of life on a whaling ship and how these intrepid sailors provided a young nation with whale oil used to light homes and lubricate machinery.
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(several of them teens) split up into 3 boats and tried to get back to land. Unfortunately, they made a bad decision of heading east towards Chile instead of heading west towards numerous possible landings in the South Pacific because of a fear of becoming victims of cannibalistic tribes. It took 93 days for the last survivors to be picked up by other ships.Details were taken from accounts written at the time in Nantucket newspapers and the survivors own recorded words. The reader is given an overview of life on a whaling ship and how these intrepid sailors provided a young nation with whale oil used to light homes and lubricate machinery.
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LibraryThing member marshapetry
is there an adult version? this was great. If I were young, it sure would make me want to become a sea historian!
Subjects
Awards
Boston Globe–Horn Book Award (Honor — Nonfiction — 2003)
Sequoyah Book Award (Nominee — Young Adult — 2005)
BCCB Blue Ribbon Book (2002)
Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book Award (Nominee — 2005)
Flicker Tale Award (Nominee — 2006)
Isinglass Teen Read Award (Nominee — 2006)
Best Fiction for Young Adults (Selection — 2003)
CCBC Choices (2003)
Language
Original publication date
2002
ISBN
0439566576 / 9780439566575