The story of the Essex is an incredible one. It might be familiar to many at the moment, as In the Heart of the Sea is also the title of a Ron Howard directed movie, purportedly based on the events which occurred. I say purportedly because, after seeing the film, I can safely say that the artistic liberties taken do somewhat cheapen what I think is a story of hardship and bravery which everyone should hear at least once in their lives.

Nathaniel Philbrick does a great job of writing this in what I felt was an appropriately simple way. The tale of the Essex doesn't need lots of ornamentation - he sticks mostly to the facts, occasionally adding context by mentioning other, relatable disasters into the narrative. I felt the account seemed very even handed, with Philbrick using both the two forms of primary information on the disaster (the accounts of first mate Owen Chase and cabin boy Thomas Nickerson) to present facts without drawing too many personal conclusions. As a reader I appreciate the option in non-fiction to reach my own opinions, without an author shoving them down my throat. At this, Philbrick succeeds.

I cannot highly enough recommend this as a gateway into the story of the Essex.