The Perfect Storm

Rating:
Summary: Very interesting, educational and enjoyable.
Review: It was with a wonderful hand that Mr. Junger wrote this book. I truly appreciate his work. I am going to be reading the book again because in my fervor to read the story I whizzed through many of the fast moving and rather technical parts. He is such a great story teller and he took great care with the details. Love'd it!

Rating:
Summary: It took a lot of effort to read this book
Review: A good book, but it will require effort to finish.. Since all crew memnbers died this is not a first-hand account, just speculation on what might have happened, and a bit of reconstructing their final days at home buying groceries and getting gas. Although this would be of great interest to relatives - I had to push myself through the book. As mentioned by other reviewers, much of this book doesn't deal with this ship - but rather the other efforts to save other boats also in trouble during the storm. One of those stories about a Coast Guard helicopter was exciting, and you are able to learn a fair amount about the fishing industry - but all in all I would not recommend this book to friends. (the one I gave it to returned it unread)

Rating:
Summary: 5 stars? - You should read more - But a pretty good book.
Review: I enjoyed the book for what it was - an interesting read about a hellish storm and the people affected by it. As for it being marketed as a story about the crew of the Andrea Gail, it is VERY misleading. It's barely about them. I'd say that about 100 pages, tops, is about the Andrea Gail. Mr. Junger basically guesses on a topic as long as he possibly can, and comes up with some pretty exciting scenarios and facts along the way.

Rating:
Summary: Gripping and accurate
Review: This book is a must for any weather enthusiast, Especially Air Force Weather forecasters and observers. It puts the importance of our jobs in a real and fascinating context.

Rating:
Summary: A Great Read!
Review: Sebastian Junger's writing puts the reader in the bar in Gloucester, on the Andrea Gail and in the chopper with the rescue teams. The research for this book must have been extensive but the writing never became bogged down with details. I couldn't read it fast enough.

Rating:
Summary: absoluely magical!
Review: When a hurricane and a nor'easter mix, it reaks havoc on the Andrea Gail, a small swordfish boat off the docks of Gloucester, MA maats 100 foot waves and 120 MPH wind. You feel the pain of the people on board, riveting and well told. I recomended it to anyone who wants a book that they just cant put down. A++!

Rating:
Summary: Truely amazing!
Review: A great read! A must for people with an interest in sailing, fishing or the outdoors. Gread detail, intensity and excitment. I didn't want it to end!

Rating:
Summary: Poorly written, poorly organized, and boring
Review: This book is so poorly written and poorly organized that it is almost unreadable. The author has the crew of a boat sailing by the light of a new moon (a new moon is dark), water 'avalanching' over the boat, describes a lost fishing boat as '900 feet long', has a storm- ridden boat at 'the epicenter of the storm' (look it up). A BAD BOOK.

Rating:
Summary: Great!!!!!!!!
Review: The book is great if you like action and adventure. It also gives you alot of info on stuff like Coast Guard, fishing,wheather, and much more. All the information given is interesting, and exciting.

Rating:
Summary: Well Researched, Gripping Account of Harrowing Experience
Review: I first heard about this book from Entertainment Weekly when it was first released a few years back. I was in a bookstore the other day and saw that it had been released in paperback so I grabbed it. That was on a Monday. By Thursday I had read the whole thing. Simply put, I couldn't put it down. This could have been a go for the throat "true story" but I found it surpasses that level of non-fiction. Here's why: it casts a critical eye at larger forces like the fishing industry and international regulations, focuses on the sub-culture (norms, values, and behaviors) of those who work and live in fishing villages, and provides meticulous research into background information (like the forms of training provided to rescuers, etc.), and finally, it asks the question "Why in such a relatively short period of time (the late 20th Century) are we encountering such weather turbulence that is previously unseen?". What are we doing to our planet. Are the men who died on the Andrea Gail but a warning of things to come unless we continue to address issues of global warming and institute measures of environmental protection?........ END