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Summary: The Perfect Storm
Review: The Perfect Storm is a well balanced mix of research, emotion, and conjecture about a true story that quite possibly was unrecountable. Prior to posting this review I took a moment to read some of the other comments on this book. The one consistency among many of these reviews was the level of emotional attachment to this story. I first thought I was alone in this regard due to the my long history with sea. For many years I have struggled to convey the many feelings I have for the sea to friends and family, sometimes succeeding, sometimes not. This book gives me great joy not just because the level of entertainment, but because this is probably most widely read text to ever bring the reader to terms with the power of our many oceans. The feeling that you may die at the hands of the sea is not something I can recommend; but for the first time you can come close by reading about it.
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Summary: it was good but if you want a 'real' book, try Spike Walker.
Review: I enjoyed "The Perfect Storm", however, I couldn't help but compare it to Spike Walker's "Working on the Edge". In comparison to Walker's work, "The Perfect Storm" pales. It is difficult to overlook the fact that this is in some ways a work of fiction, based on conjecture and heresay.
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Summary: I hate to read, finished this one in one sitting!!!!!
Review: On a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being hates to read the TV guide and 10 being a readaholic, i am a 1.5. But, i picked this one up and did not put it down until i was done. A well researched book. It can be best appreciated by someone who has waded out beyond the surf line. There is no way printed word on a flat page can do justice to creating an appreciation for the power of the Sea, and how fleeting life can be for the men who make a living on it. A story of power and courage, sometimes power wins, sometimes courage wins.
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Summary: Experience Shows
Review: Junger obviously tries to experience what he writes. Though venturing out into the maw of a Georges Bank storm wouldn't be prudent, Junger has brought the same kind of thinking to bear that he has done previously with his real-life experience. It is clear that Junger is an adventurer. Whether hiking in his youth through the toughest part of the Appalachian trail or venturing to Bosnia in adulthood, Junger is an author from the school of experience. Andrew Hansen - CA'85
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Summary: The Bomb!
Review: The first time I fished Georges Bank I wrote a letter to my young sons to be opened, "In the Event of My Death". Fortunatly after many trips almost to where Junger took us; the letter remains unopened in a desk draw in my basement. After reading this book I have serious reservations about going back out there. I am compelled to go however with a new outlook, enlightened, thanks to Junger and I hope that letter remains sealed till I die of very old age. Chris Erikson (celo3@aol.com) Massapequa, New York
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Summary: If I'm in trouble, please send the Parajumpers!
Review: This vigor of the negative reviews of this well developed book are unfair. Is it perfect? No. Does it contain the soul searching dialogue of a Bronte, Dickens or Tolstoy novel? No. It's just a great meat and potatoes account of a heart stopping story. Yea, maps and pictures of the boat, crew and families would help the reader develop a visual familiarity to the characters ala Helter Skelter for example, but The Perfect Storm can stand solidly on it's own sealegs. I think it's unfair to criticize Mr. Junger's omissions or his style. The story punches you in the gut, and IT'S THE STORY STUPID, not the storyteller! The conditions described were so bad I think even Earnest Shakelton would have gone down with Billy and the boys on that fateful trip. My family's vacation home in Truro, Cape Cod is a short walk away from Ballston Beach, a location mentioned in the book. We witnessed first hand the extent of the damage that the storm caused. The description of the storm and it's effect on all of the people involved sort of overshadowed the plight of Billy and his crew. For me it's because, yes, Mr. Junger did not adequately develop the characters enough early on. I can't help but feel that if John Steinbeck had created the characters there wouldn't be a dry eye in the house. What blew me away personally though was the unbeliveable description of the helicoptor rescue attempt and the description of the training of the parajumpers whose job it is to rescue those in peril. The description of the rescue attempt held me spellbound. I actually missed my subway stop, intentionally, so that I could finish the passage. I'm now reading the chapters of the rescue attempt to my nine year old son. He's enthralled and no longer wants to be a WWF Wrestler when he grows up. He wants to be a PJ! If you're looking for a good adventure read, THIS BOOK WILL NOT DISAPPOINT YOU.
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Summary: Perfect Storm almost lives up to it's name
Review: I read The Perfect Storm in my long line of books relating to the sea. After the 1st hand account in "Adrift" I expected the same. However, due to no living account of the main boat in the book, we must rely on conjecture. The best accounts were the coast guard's helicopter ordeal. It was a good try to tell a story with no co-author to tell the facts.
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Summary: The best of the year
Review: The Perfect Storm is one of the best books of the year with a chilling account of a storm....almost like no other. Like last year's, Longitude, The Perfect Storm goes in exceptional detail on a event that has already been forgoten, or never known, by a majority of Americans. The book concerns more then the crew of the Andrea Gail but a historical overview of the Grand Banks, the science of storms, and the unsung heroism of the Coast Guard and Air Force Reserve to rescue those the sea claims. Perhaps the the most chilling part is the description of drowning and knowing what happened to the crew of the Andrea Gail. The battle of man and sea will always be fought, another storm hit the area 18 months later with a similiar results. The Perfect Storm is a great read even if you never seen an ocean.
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Summary: Book hits all angles in less than 250 pages
Review: One stromy evening in Duxbury, Mass I picked this book out of a pile of books that needed to be read. Two hours later I wanted to read it all over again. The subject of the book in the sea. Around the subject we see people from all walks of life being affected. This is a true story. It tells of the lives of fishermen and men from the Coast Guard and how they reacted to one of the worst storms in the century. Think that you are done with the book after the fishermen lose their lives? Wrong. The Coast Guard has to go out and save them. In one part of the book the Coast Guard pilot takes a refueling tanker out with him due to the fact that he will have to refuel 4 times during the mission. The last attempt is botched by the weather and ...well you read the book. One of the best that I have found this year.
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Summary: engrossing, accurate
Review: I first heard a few excerpts from this book on Nat'l Public Radio. Hearing about the struggle of the USAF rescuemen instantly turned me, being in the Air Force, onto the book. I bought it and read it a few weeks later, and I couldn't put it down. I read the whole book in 3 hours. I spoke with a Coast Guard rescue helicopter team, and with two Air Force PJ's who had known Rick Smith and John Spillane personally before they went down, and they all recommended the book very highly. They said it was not only gripping, but accurate in every detail. I couldn't think of any higher recommendation than from men who had been there and done it. This book is worth owning.
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