In the Heart of the Sea

Philbrick writes great history. I was so impressed by this book, I picked up Moby Dick.

Excellent non-fiction about the plight of a doomed whaleship. I had no idea when I started this that the accounts of survivors were in part the inspiration for Moby Dick. Recommended if you're interested in nautical stories, survival stories, or New England history. OR WHALES. VENGEFUL WHALES.

A gripping portrait of the tragedy that inspired Moby Dick. I love these tails of being stuck in the middle of nowhere, and as far as the middle of nowhere goes, it doesn't get more bleak than 97 days in a boat in the dead zone of the Pacific Ocean! It's an incredible story told incredibly well.

I only hold back on the 5 star rating because I didn't really connect with the characters. Choosing to steer away from islands because they were scared to be eaten by scary natives, only to end up eating each other. And then eating the black people first (though probably not because of prejudice, the author points out) It all lessened my sympathy for their plight, but not in a fun love-to-hate way. Their plight was horrible, but I wasn't really rooting for them. The author does a good job of painting their career as a way of life, and their ignorance and poor choices as a result of culture and inexperience, but it didn't sell me.
Overall though, it was really interesting and entertaining. I'd say fun except a lot of people died horrible deaths...