Book Club

Join us at the Quaker Street book club for a discussion of In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex by Nathaniel Philbrick.

In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex by Nathaniel Philbrick is a compelling and dramatic historical account that tells the true story of the Essex, a whaling ship that was struck by an enormous whale in 1820, setting off one of the most harrowing survival stories in maritime history.

The narrative begins with the Essex embarking on a whaling expedition from Nantucket, a small island off the coast of Massachusetts, known for its whaling industry. However, their journey takes a devastating turn when a massive sperm whale, in a rare act of aggression, attacks the ship and causes it to sink. Stranded in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, far from any land, the survivors are left to face extreme conditions, including starvation, dehydration, and the constant threat of death.

Philbrick details the intense struggle for survival as the men are forced to navigate the open sea in small, overloaded whaleboats. The story explores the psychological and physical toll on the survivors as they grapple with difficult decisions, including cannibalism, in their desperate fight to stay alive. The book also delves into the dynamics of the crew, the leadership of Captain George Pollard and first mate Owen Chase, and the moral complexities that arose during their months at sea.

New book club members are always welcome. Request a copy of the books online or at any SCPL location.