The Perfect Storm

Rating:
Summary: A Worthwhile, if inaccurate, Read
Review: As a born, raised & retired commercial fisherman who has spent his share of time offshore, I found much in the book not to ring true. There is much, however, worth reading, especially about the rescue attempts.

Rating:
Summary: Difficult for the mind to "see" the fury of wind and sea
Review: Similar to "Into thin Air" this book represents the only legacy of the fishermen who perished during this storm. It chronicles the life they lead and those they left behind without being maudlin. Good reading for every one who's ever set out in a small vessel upon the sea.

Rating:
Summary: "A gripping story of untamed nature."
Review: Many stories have been written about man and the sea.This book grips the reader and does not let go. If anything, the author makes us realize that we have not conquered the sea, it just. accomodates us according to it wishes. Dr. Frank P. Merlo

Rating:
Summary: The Perfect Storm almost rears emotions from the reader.
Review: Immediatly after I read a piece from this book I have to close my eyes to try and shake the fear away. This book hits the reader like a hundred foot wave, and yet there is so much more. Its the feelings the book brings out that makes it so good. One moment you're happy because someone was saved; half a page later you're on the verge of tears because you know someone isn't coming home.

Rating:
Summary: Good journalism but fair fact or fiction?
Review: Suspended between fiction and fact this account ultimately left me unhappy with key elements of the narrative. The disjointed nature of the timeline doesn't help, and one is left wondering at the author's interpretation of personal events. More transcrips of the survivors' stories may have helped turn a piece of journalism into a more subtantive piece of work.

Rating:
Summary: A gripping tale of the perils commercial fishermen face.
Review: The storm that destroyed the fishing boat and its crew was not forecast ahead of time. Six men lost their lives at the end of their month long trip in search of swordfish. The book reminds us that men are insignificant when it comes to the forces of nature, no matter how sophisticated the equipment or technology.

Rating:
Summary: Talk about going overboard....
Review: Great story, great characters. I'll bet we all wish we could write like that.

Rating:
Summary: The best non-fiction I've ever read!!!
Review: The book pulls you in. The nautical explanation is surpassed only by the emotional analysis. What were these men thinking, seeing 90 foot waves breaking over them. What is it like to know that within a few hours they would die? What is it like to know that there is nothing to do about it? Junger gets closer to the truth than anyone has before.

Rating:
Summary: A story of courage, fear, heartbreak, hope, and disaster
Review: This story won't leave me. Read the book - then read it again. This true story is powerfully written. If you've ever been frightened at sea - this book will grab you. The fishermen of the Andrea Gail were a hard drinking, hard living lot - but I wanted them to come home - if only they could have survived. They don't - and like usual in real life - it wasn't because of one big mistake, but many little mistakes, compounding to disaster. The Andrea Gail is only part Junger's story. Junger tells of a storm - and how it impacted peoples lives. Many ships get in trouble - some are rescued, some ride it out, some sink. When the coast guard swings into action - they end up ditching a rescue helicopter, again, not because of one big mistake, but many small ones compounded. Five men went down, only four were rescued. This is real life - it doesn't have a happy ending. Thats why its important. Thats what gives this book its power. Human beings are awesome when pitted against impossible odds. I felt proud and humble when reading this book. ...the impossible bravery of the men risking their own lives to rescue others in grave conditions ...the human gut-renching fear of facing and actually dealing with one's mortality...the heartbreak, bitterness, and un-ending suffering of the women who lost a lover, son, husband, father...the awesome finality of nature's wrath. I'll remember this book for a long long time.

Rating:
Summary: Read book while on boat delivery, got caught in a storm.
Review: While delivering a boat to Florida, I read the book and got caught in a storm just below Cape Fear. It gives a new insight into what can happen to a vessel in a severe storm that can last for days on end. We were blown 150 miles out to sea. If I had 17 pairs of shorts, they would have all been changed, especially after reading "The Perfect Storm". Granted the writing is not the best, however, the story is positively graphic and completely understandable. Any person that goes to sea, even for recreation, should read this tome. Captain Bill Kirk, Master USMS.