Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing read
Review: With all the hype over how great this book is, I was expecting a bang-up, well-written read that would transport me into the middle of a whistling, blowing storm, and subject me to the whistle and force of the 100-mph winds and the driving, horizontal rain (believe me, I went thru a few hurricanes myself). I was truly disappointed. The first half started out as a very well-written, engaging read about the lives of working-class Massachusetts fishermen who depend on the sea to make ends meet. But as the book progressed, it bogged down into repetitive, technical minutiae about the many different ways of going through a mega-storm. I could never feel connected with the characters in this book, especially those who went through the awful experience of a storm such as this. At the end, I came away with an empty feeling about this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Touching spirtual insights and moving human stories
Review: Whether you love or hate Junger's detailed writing on storms and gigantic waves, the book had two touching aspects that deeply moved me: 1. the disorderly, harsh lives of fishermen: their divorces, binge drinking and binge money-making and spending; and, 2. fishermen premonitions of death and the touching dreams of the survivors BEFORE and after the fishermens' deaths.
Rating:
Summary: terrific, absorbing
Review: I had served in the U.S. Navy in the 50s in that area while on picket duty aboard a radar picket ship. I not only could relate to that particular area of the ocean. It not only brought back memories of the sea but I re lived the entire episode through this wonderful saga. I felt like I was 19 again. terrific book. cannot praise it enough
Rating: 
Summary: A great sea-side sequel to Jon Krakauer's "Into Thin Air."
Review: Contemplating a relaxing cruise this fall? Don't read this book until after you return! The horrifyingly stark descriptions of drowning and being swallowed by the sea would make even the most seaworthy skipper a little timid. Junger mixes the action and the scientific fact in a way that keeps the story moving, even if he darts back and forth through time. A perfect seaside version of Jon Krakauer's "Into Thin Air," and an equally enthralling look at what happens when pride and hubris cloud one's judgement. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: The perfect book
Review: I can't wait for the movie. This book left me wanting more. I had heard a lot about this book and the author and was therefore anticipating the book. It was everything I thought it would be. Although I have very little interest in fishing or boating I was taken in by the tragedy of the disaster. The human struggle against the unbeatable forces of nature was stirring and actually had me in tears. His vivid description of great storms, how ships sink and how man drowns had me spellbound.Definitely the best book I have read in a long time.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent True to life
Review: I have spent 5 years at sea on commercial fishing boats,and applaud Junger for his honest appraisal of the average fisherman/woman and the life that they lead. I had to put the book down on occasion as the realities of the situation became more and more desperate, only to find I couldn't wait to pick it up again. True to life rivetting read.
Rating:
Summary: Super read. Humbling, informative, tragic, heroic......
Review: This book takes you to the eye of the storm and back. While based somewhat on speculation, I still found the story gripping and realistic. It didn't exploit the lives of those that died, but made them human. It managed to weave in the stories of others in the storm as well (not just about the ship the Andrea Gail), which I felt added to the atmosphere and tension of the storyline. These supporting stories were necessary to provide context, as well as to provide real-life accounts of survivors to add credibility to the finished story. I also liked the information about the difficult lives of fisherman and the description about storms and weather. If you like adventure laced with interesting information, this book could be for you, though you may not want to go boating for awhile. Nice work !
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book. I felt the waves and the hardships.
Review: You can feel the waves as you read this book. Your heart will actually skip a few beats and you will catch your breath. You can feel the water closing over you as it did these poor fisherman. Giving it even more depth is the history of the families of these sailors. Their on-shore lives are detailed, as well as the daily tasks all fisherman must go through. This is a detailed and fast moving account of life on the sea. I highly recommend it. Those that live in New England, will especially enjoy this book.
Rating:
Summary: A perfect novel of men against uncontrollable forces
Review: One leaves this book vastly richer in knowledge of the uncontrollable forces of the sea and weather, and the New England culture surrounding the U.S. swordfishing fleet. Best book of a dozen read in '98. Grisham fans prepare for good writing and an unpredictable storyline.
Rating:
Summary: schlock
Review: if you enjoy reading novels with over-the-top dramatization and/or boring (and overly simplified) technical discussions of marine transportation, then by all means, read this book! Or you could just wait for the movie.
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