Three eyewitness accounts of a lethal attack by a sperm whale against a whaling ship in the Pacific in 1819, the incident that inspired Melville's Moby-Dick — as well as the 2015 movie In the Heart of the Sea. Illustrated with 12 wood engravings.

Narrative of the Most Extraordinary and Distressing Shipwreck of the Whale-ship Essex is an account by first mate Owen Chase of the Essex, a whale ship from Nantucket, Massachusetts, that was sunk by a sperm whale in the Pacific Ocean near South American in 1820. Of the twenty-man crew, only eight survived the horrific ordeal; some men were stranded on an island, all remaining crew were forced to eat food tainted by seawater and drink their own urine, and finally, when members of the crew started dying, those still alive resorted to cannibalism until they were rescued. Narrative of the Whale-ship Essex inspired Herman Melville to write his enduring classic Moby-Dick in 1851; it also inspired the 2015 movie In the Heart of the Sea, based on the 2000 best-selling book of the same name.

The incredible sea adventure that inspired "Moby Dick" is recounted by one ofits few survivors. 2 maps. 8-page photo insert.

Reproduction of the original. The publishing house Megali specialises in reproducing historical works in large print to make reading easier for people with impaired vision.

DON'T MISS THE MAJOR FILM INSPIRED BY CHASE'S NARRATIVE, IN THE HEART OF THE SEA On 20 November 1820, just south of the equator, the whaling ship Essex, spotted and pursued a shoal of sperm whales. As the crew started harpooning, the largest whale – some 85 feet long – rammed the Essex twice and 'stove in her bows'. What followed was an epic three-month voyage in open boats across storm-tossed seas. Only eight men survived, sustained by eating those who died. This edition includes Owen Chases’s famous account, as well as memoirs by two other crew members and a facsimile of Herman Melville's notes on Chase’s narrative.

Filled with art, photographs, maps, and artifacts, this is a richly illustrated edition of first mate Owen Chase's memoir of the sinking of the Essex by a sperm whale.

Great American Shipwreck Stories is a magnificent collection of gripping accounts of a ship's encounter with a great whale or an overwhelming monsoon or a disastrous passage through the Straits of Magellan, leading to a wreck and a crew's harrowing plight for survival on the open seas or on a desert island. Capturing all the elements of ancient and powerful tragedy, this book is chockful of thrilling tales of survival - as well as a frightful examination of man's darkest impulses - which allow the reader a gruesome glimpse behind the veil of honor and bravery that history often ascribes to such men of the sea. These are all stories that have endured the test of time, and have attracted discerning readers for generations. Includes stories by Joseph Conrad, Erskine Childers, Joshua Slocum, James Fenimore Cooper, Herman Melville, Richard Henry Dana, Edgar Allan Poe, Richard Hakluyt, Owen Chase, and many others.

A thrilling documentation of the first sinking of a ship by a whale.

Raymond M. Weaver's 'Herman Melville, Mariner and Mystic' is a meticulous examination of the life and works of the iconic American author. Weaver delves into Melville's literary style, exploring his use of symbolism and themes of existentialism and isolation in novels such as 'Moby-Dick' and 'Billy Budd'. Through a scholarly lens, Weaver places Melville's writings in the context of 19th-century American literature, highlighting his innovative contributions to the genre of maritime fiction. Weaver's analysis illuminates the depths of Melville's writing, revealing the complexities and nuances that have captivated readers for generations. As a renowned Melville scholar, Raymond M. Weaver brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his examination of the author's life and work. Drawing on extensive research and primary sources, Weaver provides insights into Melville's personal experiences and influences, shedding light on the motivations behind his literary creations. His deep understanding of Melville's legacy enhances the reader's appreciation for the author's enduring relevance and significance in the literary canon. For readers interested in delving into the world of Herman Melville and exploring the profound themes of his writing, 'Herman Melville, Mariner and Mystic' is a must-read. Raymond M. Weaver's insightful analysis offers a comprehensive and engaging perspective on one of America's most enigmatic literary figures.

The gripping first-hand narrative of the whaling ship disaster that inspired Melville’s Moby-Dick and informed Nathaniel Philbrick’s monumental history, In the Heart of the Sea In 1820, the Nantucket whaleship Essex was rammed by an angry sperm whale thousands of miles from home in the South Pacific. The Essex sank, leaving twenty crew members drifting in three small open boats for ninety days. Through drastic measures, eight men survived to reveal this astonishing tale. The Narrative of the Wreck of the Whaleship Essex, by Owen Chase, has long been the essential account of the Essex’s doomed voyage. But in 1980, a new account of the disaster was discovered, penned late in life by Thomas Nickerson, who had been the fifteen-year-old cabin boy of the ship. This discovery has vastly expanded and clarified the history of an event as grandiose in its time as the Titanic. This edition presents Nickerson’s never-before-published chronicle alongside Chase’s version. Also included are the most important other contemporary accounts of the incident, Melville’s notes in his copy of the Chase narrative, and journal entries by Emerson and Thoreau. For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.