In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship EssexIn the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex
Score Modern
What it's about
In November 1820, the whaleship Essex, out of Nantucket, was rammed and sunk by an enraged sperm whale in the middle of the Pacific. Twenty men escaped in three small boats, thousands of miles from land. Over the next three months, they suffered thirst, starvation and the decisions that followed. Nathaniel Philbrick tells the story, drawing on a long-lost account by the ship's cabin boy, and the world of Nantucket whaling.
Why it's worth reading
It won the National Book Award for nonfiction. The sinking of the Essex inspired Moby-Dick, and Philbrick's account is a gripping survival story.
You'll love it if you liked
The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder
Seabiscuit: An American Legend
Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBIGood to know
It includes starvation and cannibalism. It became a Ron Howard film.
By the numbers
- Readers76 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics61 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller46 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #70 of the 198 history books we rank
- #189 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #374 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
True story, Adventurous
More by Nathaniel Philbrick
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Quick answers
Is In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex worth reading?
Yes. It won the National Book Award for nonfiction. It ranks #374 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 80.3 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex about?
In November 1820, the whaleship Essex, out of Nantucket, was rammed and sunk by an enraged sperm whale in the middle of the Pacific. Twenty men escaped in three small boats, thousands of miles from land. Over the next three months, they suffered thirst, starvation and the decisions that followed. Nathaniel Philbrick tells the story, drawing on a long-lost account by the ship's cabin boy, and the world of Nantucket whaling.
How long does it take to read In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex?
About 8 hours (338 pages), or about 2 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What awards has In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex won?
National Book Award (Nonfiction) winner (2000).
What should I read after In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex?
If you liked it, try The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder by David Grann, Seabiscuit: An American Legend by Laura Hillenbrand or Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann.